The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-17
HARDING 0N TOUR
 ID RUB ELBOWS WITH PLAIN MEN
Presidents Trip West Will Furnish Opportunity To
 Count His Strength
By THOMAS l.. STOKES Special Dispatch To The Age-HernId

Special Dispatch To The Age-HernId
 WASHINGTON, June 1S-President Harding, who boasts of being just a human, Main street sort of fellow himself. Is going out into the country next week-after two years of close confinement among the discourage ments of political life-to find out just what the man on Main street. and the workmcn in overalls, and the fellow In the corn rows is thinking
 Despite the Presidents insistent disclaimers to the contrary, his trip will inevitably be political in nature, as he cannot but listen for the reac- says about his past two years and to his plans for the future. On the ink lings of sentiment which will drift to him, he will base not only his future governmental policy, but also lay the political groundwork for the next campaign.
 As the President intends-at one place or another-to tell what his plans are for the railroads. agricul- ture, shipping and other matters, he will be able to get reaction that will be written into his opening mes sage to Congress in December.
 Opportunity For Reflection.
 On his way to Alaska, under the restful influence of a sea trip. the President will have full opportunity to null over in his mind just what he has gathered from his contact with the people.
 With his arrival in the rich north ern province, however, he will be face to face with an entirely new set of problems. Here will be virgin soii' literally.
 Alaska, still land of romance, has become, too. very practical propo- sition. It's development is really just beginning, and it has just started to cast its cold. white shadow across political currents. Questions whicn have already disturbed political councils in their application Tn the United tes-conversation. ail rights, railroad development. inter lacing authority-all are now bob ping up in Alaska. As the President shapes his policy, he will remember that disagreement on such questions has already caused the loss of member of his cabinet, former Secre- tary of the Interior Fall, and can be fraught with such further i'll conse- Quences.
 Rum-Running Problem Live.
 The President, out to face new prODleI1S, ledNcS d him here still unsettled. Officials are hopeful that little simmering during the summer will untangle some of them. The most pressing just now Is prohibition. During the past week a new suggestion for dealing with the troublesome ship liquor question has been put forward by Secretary of State Hughes, who wants to swap the liquor-carrying privilege to foreign nations for the right to extend the three emile limit to IS. with search lawful within those limits.
 The running problem is still unsolved. though the energetic wom- an Assistant Attorney General. Ma bel Walker Willebrandt. has all her , force at work trying to decide whether it is legal for the President to use the navy for chasing the smugglers, who arc becoming bolder and polder along the far-lyinS coast line.
 A vigorous speech on law enforce ment will be included in President Harding's utterances on his forth coming western trip. He will take an uncompromisng position on en- forcement of the Volstead law so long as it remains on the statute books.
 nmilrond Consolidation.
 The t-CSlutHt tOIl6Hl Woo PuISiho the finishing touches on several speeches. When he leaves Washing ton next Wednesday the important speeches he will make at the outset of his tour will be ready Later speeches may be prepared in part while Mir. Harding is on tour.
 Although his advisers assert the President will offer an extensive az ricultural legislative program to the farmers in his speech at Hutchinson. Kan, the nature of his new propos- als has not been disclosed That speech was said to be designed to aid the republican candidate in tho Minnesota senatorial election next Monday.
 Another speech that is being care fully prepared by the President with the Minnesota political situation in view is his transportation speech at Kansas City.
 In that speech the President. 70. cording to close advisers. will re- affirm his belief that consolidation of the railroads into d limited num- Der of large systems will go long way toward relieving the farmers of present high freight rates.