Evening star., 1923-03-12
PRESIDENT OBTAINS
. SHIP POLICY DATA
Chief Executive Considers
Plans for Aiding U. S.
Merchant Marine.
DECISION EXPECTED SOON
Definite Announcement May Be
Made Following Conferences
With Lasker.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PALM BEACH, Fla, March 12.-As
the houseboat Pioneer. carrying
President and Mrs. Harding and their
vacation companions, steamed slow
ly southwark today, indications In
creased that the stay Of the chief
executive in the southern Florida
city would not be all play and no
work.
Although the President has been
devoting himself mostly to rest and
recreation since he left Washington
a week ago today. it has been learn
ed that definite periods each day have
been utilized in attending to official
business. Telegraphic correspondence
has been maintained with the White
House, and at each of the important
stops, such as that made here Satur-
day and yesterday. a considerable
volume of official mail has been sent
aboard the houseboat.
Expects Two Cabinet Members.
The President, on arriving at Miami,
probably tomorrow. will be Joined by
two members Of his cabinet. Attorney
General Daugherty and Secretary
Davis. The former, although still
unable to resume full charge of the
affairs of his department, owing to
the weakened condition resulting
from his recent illness, Is understood
to have given some attention within
the past week to the more urgent
matters. including the war frauds in
til T& t., ~
that Mr.. Daugherty will have several
matters to take up with his chief.
May Decide Ship Policy.
Intimations have come from the
Pioneer. as the party has cruised
southwark. that an announcement of
policy might be made while the Pres
ident is in Miami. Chairman Lasker
of the Shipping Board Is a member
OF the vacation party, and announced
on arrival at Ormond last Tuesday
that he soon expected to discuss with
the President ways and means of
meeting the problem created by the
defeat Of the administration shipping
bill. The President. Mr.. Lasker said.
wanted certain detailed information
on the subject. and. as orders for its
departure from Washington. ii is
presume that some OF il has reached
the hands Of the executive.
Politics Likely Subject.
The possibility OF political discus
sims In Miami also has appeared.
Two late republican leaders, Joseph
Healing of Indiana and Dan Null
vanex of Kansas, are spending sew
eral days in that city and undoubt-
edly will see the President. Mr..
Daugherty also can be counted on
whenever and wherever there are
politics. in the winds.
The time of the presidents arrival
in Miami still was uncertain today,
although 1t appeared reasonably sure
he would get there tomorrow. The
Pioneer was due to arrive at Fort
Lauderdale sometime afternoon today.
Although pilots acquainted with the
inland waterways south of here said
schedules were useless, as much of
the sailing Of any boat as large as
the Pioneer would be dependent on
the tides and wind.
Boat Escapes Sand Bars.
The sailing of the boat so far has
been fortunate to have escaped the
sand bars scattered along the east
coast waterways. Members of the
party ascribe 1t not to luck, how
ever. but to Capt George" big
negro whose head threatens to punch
a hole through the roof Of the pilot
house every time he straightens up.
At a little white church with green
shutters and shingled roof, ex-
ternally not greatly unlike thousands
of such little places Of worship scat
tered throughout the small towns
OF America, President Harding yes
terday attended services
The President Joined heartily in the
singing, which consisted OF the "Dox-
ology," Rock of Ages" and Just as
Am. Without One Plea" After
the benediction the congregation re-
matned seated until the presidential
party had passed out.