WHERE, RAIL5 AND RIVERS MEET
THE NENANA DAILY NEWS
VOL. III.
MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS
NENANA, ALASKA. SATURDAY. MARCH
1, 1921
NUMBER 204
HARDING ASSUMES DUTIES AS PRESIDENT
ASKS NO PART IN DIRECTING EUROPEAN DESTINIES
■■ URGES UNITED EFFORT TO BETTER HOME CONDITIONS
HARDING AND WILSON RIDE
TOGETHER TO THE CAPITOL
Shortly after eleven o’clock Presi
dent Wilson and President-elect
Harding left the White House for
the capitol, accompanied by an es
cort. The great crowds, which stood
lining the streets in the chill sun
light, cheered loudly as the auto
passed them; but President Wilson
made no acknowledgment, as Mr.
Harding, previously, in deference to
the President, had taken none of the
cheering for himself.
Upon arrival at the capitol,, Presi
dent Wilson was assisted from the
car by service men, but he walked
into the building with only his cane
for support. He walked very slowly
and there were murmurs of sympathy
as he passed. He went straight to
the President’s room, where he at
tached his signature to waiting bills
and other documents demanding his
immediate attention. He left the cap
itol at 11:55, accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson. At the last moment the
President yielded to the entreaties
of his physician and took no part
in the inaugural ceremonies, be
yond accompanying Mr. Harding to
the capitol and left before his suc
4t cessor had taken the oath of office.
From the capitol, Mr. and Mrs. Wil- i
son went direct to their new home.
Clock Turned Back
At 11:55 the senate clock was
turned back 15 minutes and Senator
Lodge announced that the President
had no further communications to
transmit to Congress. At this junc
y ture the guests began arriving, but
before all had entered, the hands
of the clock approached closely to
the noon hour and it became neces
sary to turn them back again to
permit of the commencement of the
inaugural ceremonies within the le
gal time requirements.
Coolidge Takes Oath
When Mr. Harding and General
Pershing and other notables had
taken their places in the senate1
chamber, Vice President Marshall
gave the signal to start, and Calvin!
Coolidge came forward and took j
•his oath as Marshall’s successor
This was followed by Marshall’3
valedictory address, to which Mr.
Harding and the others present gave
close and respectful attention. Then
came the Coolidge inaugural address,
which was very brief.
At the conclusion of the Coolidge
address, the guests began moving to
the east portico of the capitol for
the inauguration of President Hard
ing, while Vice President Coolidge
assumed his duties as president of
the senate and presided over the
first short session of the new body.
Harding Becomes President
Mr. Harding appeared on the por
tico at 1:14 and took his oath a
few moments later, pressing to his
lips the historic bible used at the
inauguration of President George
Washington. The oath was adminis
tered by Chief Justice White, who
<hose the eighth verse of the sixth
chapter of Micah.
Immediately after taking the oath,
President Harding turned toward
the vast crowd stretching across the
plaza and began the delivery of his
address, the full text of which con
sumed 3,800 words. Sound ampli
fiers carried his voice easily to the
outer edges of the great assemblage.
PRESIDENT OUTLINES POLICES;
PROMISES NATIONAL REFORMS
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 5—Confident in her ability to
work out her own destiny and jealously guarding her right to do
so, the United States asks no part in directing the destinies of the
Old World, declared President Warren G. Harding, in his inaugu
ral address delivered from the east portico of the national capitol
shortly after noon yesterday. Inauguration Day was marked by
bright weather, but with a cold blustering wind and a decided over
night drop in temperature, which made it somewhat uncomfortable
for the great crowd which fiilled the plaza and stretched for some
distance along Pennsylvania avenue.
“We do not mean to be entangled,” the President continued,
“and we will accept no responsibility except as our own conscience
and judgment, in each instance, may determine. Our eyes will
never be blinded to developing menace; our ears never deaf to the
call of civilization. We crave friendship, harbor no hate but Ameri
ca, builded on a foundation laid by our inspired fathers, can be a
party to no military alliance. It can enter into no political commit
ments nor assume any economic obligations or subject our decisions
to any other than our own authority.
“We are ready to assist ourselves with the nations of the world
for conference and counsel, to seek expressed views and world
opinion, recommending a way to approximate disarmament, to re
lieve the crushing burdens of military and naval establishments.
“We elect to participate in suggested plans for mediation and
conciliation and arbitration and would gladly join a movement
which seeks to clarify and write laws of international relationship,
and establish a world court for the disposition of such justifiable
questions as the nations are agreed to commit thereto. But every
commitment must be made in the exercise of national sovereignty.”
Turning his attention to domestic problems, the new President
said: “I speak for administrative efficiency, lighter tax burdens,
sound commercial practices, adequate credit facilities, sympathetic
concern for agricultural problems, for the omission of unnecessary
interference by the Government with business, and for more effi
cient in Government administration.”
He asserted that the nation may count upon the newly enfran
chised women for the exaltation of social order and to speed the
attainment of the highest state of civilization. America, he said,
must be no less alert guarding from the dangers within than from
the dangers without. The law recognizes no class nor group nor
section and there must be none in legislation and administration.
“The supreme inspiration is the commonwealth. My most reverent
prayer for America is industrial peace with its rewards distributed
among the inspirations of equal opportunity.”
Revolution has no place in America, he asserted. If revolution
does insist upon overturning established order, let other people
make the tragic experiment. “Ours is a constitutional freedom
where popular will is law supreme and minorities are sacredly pro
tected. I had rather submit our industrial controversies to the con
ference table in advance than to the settlement table after conflict
and suffering.”
Touching briefly on the tariff question, President Harding said:
“It has been proved again and again that we cannot, while throw
ing our markets open to the world, maintain American standards
of living and opportunity and hold our industrial eminence in such
unequal competition. Preserved American standards require our
higher production costs be reflected in tariff on imports.”
The opportunity is calling for a new era in production, trans
portation and trade, he declared. “We shall answer it best by meet
ing the demand of a surpassing home market by promoting self
reliance in production and by bidding enterprise, genius and effi
ciency to carry our cargoes in American bottoms to all parts of
the world.”
With regard to American homes, he said: “Where mothers are
freed from the necessity of long hours of toil beyond their own
doors, they may preside as befits the hearthstone of American citi
zenship.” The country should be made free from blotches of dis
tressed poverty, he declared, and insisted that the nation find a
way to guard against unemployment.
“Since freedom impelled, and independence inspired and nation
ality exalted, a world super-government is contrary to everything
we cherish and can have no sanction by our republic. This s not
selfishness. It is sanctity. It is no aloofness, it is security. It is not
suspicion of others: it is patriotic adherence to things which made
us what we are.”
Uttering his profound faith in the destinies of America and the
divine inspiration of the founding fathers, the President did not
attempt detailed attention to the many problems mentioned ir. his
address but touched broadly and generally on the entire field.
“Our supreme task,” he said, “is the resumption of our onward
normal way. Reconstruction, readjustment, restoration—all these
must follow. Let me repeat for our nation, ‘we shall give no people
just cause to make war upon us. We hold no national prejudice,
entertain no spirit of revenge.’ We do not hate, do not covet,
dream of no conquest nor boast of armed prowess. If war is forced
upon us, I earnestly hope a way will be found to unify our individ
ual and collective strength and consecrate all of America to the
national defense.”
The President struck at the war profiteers when he said: "There
is something inherently wrong when one portion of our citizenship
turns activity to pure gain amid a defensive war, while another
portion is fighting for national preservation.” The nation, he said,
must turn its attention toward the tasks of today. All the nations
of the world are groping for a return to stable ways. “Discourag
ing indebtedness confronts us like all the war-torn nations. These
obligations must be provided for. No nation can survive repudia
tion.”
Declaring that our most dangerous tendency is to expect too
much of our government and, at the same time, do for it too lit
tle, the President said: “We need rigid yet sane economy, combined
with justice. It must be attended by individual prudence and
thrift.”
“There is no shortcut to making these ideals glad realities. The
world has witnessed again and again the futility and mischief of
ill-considered remedies for social and economis disorders. But wo
are mindful today, as never before, of the friction of modern in
dustrialism and we must learn its cause and reduce its evil con
sequences by sober and tested methods.”
In conclusion the President said: “Service is the supreme com
mitment of life. I would rejoice to proclaim an era of the gold
en rule and crown it with the autocracy of service. I pledge an ad
ministration wherein all agencies of the Government are called to
serve and ever promote an understanding of government purely as
an expression of the popular will.”
I accept my part with single-mindedness of purpose and humil
ity of spirit, and implore favor and guidance of God in His Heaven.
With these I am unafraid, and confidently face the future.”
New Cabinet in Action
Breaking a precedent which had
stood from the days of Washington
and Jefferson, President Harding
appeared at the executive session of
the new senate and presented the
names of the new cabinet officers
who had been selected by him. And
within less than ten minutes after
he had finished, the senate had con
firmed all ten nominations. The ap
pointees were sworn in today at
the various departments where they
will preside during the next four
years.
Senators Discuss Program
After confirming the cabinet nom
inations, the senate discussed the
program for the coming extra ses
sion of Congress, and it developed
that there was some objection to
taking up the long delayed Colum
bian treaty, which was one of the
matters suggested for early con
sideration. No decision was reached,
however.
British Press Pleased
LONDON, March 5—President
Harding and his inaugural address
are subjects of congratulation and
good will among the leading news
papers of England. The Daily Mail
says Harding is a man who can be
trusted to make good use of his
great powers. The Post expresses
the belief that the outlook for the
future relations between the two
countries is now more pleasant and
cordial. It finds in his policy of
non-interference in European affairs
a natural maintenance of the prin
ciples upon which the American con
stitution is founded. The News re
grets that he has left his attitude
on the League of Nations question
indeterminate.
Diicnii Special Session
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 6—
Senator Lodge and Representative
Mondell conferred with President
Harding this morning relative to the
extra session of Congress, but ho
conclusion was reached regarding the
date.
Assistants Are Named
Announcement was made at the
White House this morning of the
nomination of E. D. Ball, of Iowa,
to be assistant secretary of agri
culture. His name will be sent to
the senate on Monday.
Secretary of the Interior Fall has
announcced the appointment of Chas
Safford, of New Mexico, as his as
sistant, and Charles Nestler, of Ohio,
will continue tj act as assistant to
the secretary.
Talk Over Southern Trouble
Secretaries Hughes and Weeks
were in consultation with President
Harding this afternoon regarding the
trouble between the republics of
Panama and Costa Rica, but it is
not known what conclusion was ar
rived at, if any.
Secretaries Take Oath
Secretary Mellon was sworn in
yesterday, and Secretaries Hughes,
Weeks, Fall, Davis and Wallace
took the oath this morning. The
other members of the cabinet as
sumed their duties this afternoon.
WASHINGTON, D. C.. March 5—
I,
i
l
1
l
]
i
i
i
i
!
1
1
One of the closing acts of Congress *
was the passage of a bill designed 1
to improve the service given by the ^
war risk bureau, through the estab
lishment of fourteen regional offices. c
rAR EASTERN REPUBLIC
ORDERS JAPS TO WITHDRAW:
PEKING, March 5—The minister
>f foreign affairs of the Far East
irn republic has sent a demand to
[apan, insisting that the Japanese
rovemment fix a definite date for
he withdrawal of Japanese forces
rom Siberia.
The note closes with a demand
hat there be no interference from
apan in that region.
NOME LEGISLATOR PASSES
SEATTLE, March 5—Edward W.
Jurrows, member of the Alaska leg
slature from the Seocnd division,
vho came Outside some time ago
or the benefit of his health, died
it the Swedish hospital this week,
i victim of heart disease. He was
'1 years of age.
The deceased had been living in
jOS Angeles, and came here from
he South about three weeks ago,
m his way to Juneau to be present
t the convening of the territorial
egislature.
The body of the Northerner was
remated yesterday.
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION REAL,
j FINNISH REPORTS DECLARE
WASHINGTON', D. C„ March 5—
The Finnish delegation has received
official information in which it is
claimed the soviet fortress of Kron
stadt has fallen into the hands of
‘Tie revolutionary "forces.
A cable from the Finnish foreign
office says the revolutionaries are
holding soviet commissaries as ho*
tages. The cable says further tha'
reports received in Finland state
“a tremendous upheaval reigns in
many sections of Russia." and that
the Moscow garrison has refused to
oppose the revolutionaries. It is
claimed the greater part of PctTo
grad is now under revolutionary
control.
News Is Conflicting
LONDON, March 5—News reach
ing this city regarding the Russian
situation continues conflicting but
today’s reports reiterate and en
large upon earlier news of uprising*
against soviet rule. British news
papers today carry a Helsingsfors
dispatch in which it is claimed the
anti-Bolshevik revolt is unsuppressed
and that both Petrograd and Moscow
are now in the hand of the revolu •
tionaries.
White Flag* Flying
STOCKHOLM, March 5—Whr.e
flairs are flying today from the win
ter palace at Petrograd. and from
the kremlin at Moscow, according t >
advices received from Helsingfors.
The report says that 30,000 soviet
troops in Moscow have refused to
take up arms against the revolu
tionary forces, and that revolution
ary troops are advancing from the
south on Petrograd.
COAL WASHER DEAL DRAGS
COMMISSION INTO COURTS
SEATTLE, March 5— Federal
Judge Jeremiah Neterer has denied
a motion for an injuinction against
the Alaskan Engineering commission,
sought by the Puget Sound Machin
ery Deport, in an effort to prevent
the commission from awarding a
contract for a coal washing machine
to another and higher bidder.. The
amount involved is $67,000.
The court held that the fact that
the plaintiff had submitted a lower
bid did not give him a vested right.
The coal washing plant is to be
installed in the Matanuska coal field,
where the Government is expending
a large sum of money in an effort
to develop a coal mine.
ROAD COMMISSION GRANTED
INCREASE FOR ROAD WORK
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 5—
The army budget, as finally ap
proved by Congress, contains an up
propriation of $425,000 for the use
of the Alaska Road commission in
road work in Alaska. The bill was
sent to the President on Thursday.
The Road commission asked for a
sum approximating one million dol
lars, but the 'house committee re
fused to allow more than $350,000.
When the bill reached the senate,
friends of Alaska managed to have
the item increased to an even half
million but the conference committee
cut it down to $425,000, and the
bill was approved in that form.
Vtuu, Alaska’s Interior Fuel Depot