Evening star., 1907-08-24
ROOSEVELT SAW ROOT
At Least ''BiIIy" MuIdoon Says
He Came Per Auto.
LOEB DENIES 1T VIGOROUSLY
President Says Nothing and Cannot
Be Reached.
SECRETARY OF STATE IS BETTER
Rides, Boxes and Plays With the
Medicine Ball-Eats and Sleeps
Like a Boy.
SECRETARY OF STATE IS BETTER


yesterday that Mr.. Root is stronger today
than he has been for many years. Mr..
Root arrived there feeble and weak. said
Mr.. Muldoon. but when he returns to Wash
ington a few weeks hence, there was every
reason to believe that he would be phys!-
cal,y the strongest member Of President
Roosevelts cabinet, mot even excepting
the marvelously vigorous Secretary OF
War" the ex-champion wrestler added.
When MT Root reached Muldoons place,
however. both Mrs. Root and the President
were alarmed over his condition, according
to Mr.. Muldoon. The Secretary was suf-
fering from a general nervous breakdown,
due to his exacting duties as Secretary OF
State. He entered the sanbtarium with the
understanding that only Mrs. Root. Presi-
dent Roosevelt and his own private secre-
tary were to be permitted to see him. This
condition has been fulfilled to the letter.
Only the persons mentioned. outside OF MT.
Muldoon and few OF his assistants. have
talked with the Secretary of State in the
time he has been on the Muldoon farm.
1t will be news to great many people
that President Roosevelt visited Secretary
Root at Mudoon's about two weeks ago
and spent the greater part Of an after
noon with him. The President made the
journey from Oyster Bay In an automobile
and the fact that he was able to make the
trip and get back to Sycamore Hill with
out attracting any public attention what
ever Mr.. Muldoon declared proved that
the President was able when he had
mind to do So to accomplish even the ap-
parently impossible.
Mr.. Muldoon while he refused to allow
any one to talk with Mr.. Root yesterday.
offered to give such information as he
could with propriety regarding the Secre-
tarys condition.
Root Actually Husky.
What is Mr.. Roots actual condition."
Mr.. Muldoon was asked.
Secretary Roots condition." replied Mr..
Muldoon, is be tier today than it has been
in three years, and that condition Is normal
and is in nowise due to the use of any drugs
or stimulants, for he has taken neither
while he has been with me. Mr.. Root has
now been with me three weeks and will re-
main about two weeks more. and will then
begin his journey to Mexico to fulfill the
mission that he has to that country. Mr..
Root himself is pleased beyond expression
with the result of his treatment here and Is
delighted with the work. This morning DR..
Dixon of Southampton, his family physi-
cian called on him, and before leaving DR..
Dixon told me he had not seen Mr.. Root
looking so well in great many years"
What Is the treatment you have been
giving Secretary Root?" was another ques-
ton asked Mr.. Muldoon-
That is a bird Of another feather" he
answered., STnlllnSly, ana you can ndEQly
expect me to answer that. but 1 will tell
you this much: This morning the Secretary
and l rode eighteen miles on horseback.
walked three more miles and then boxed for
fifteen minutes. And Mr.. Root Is a very
good boxer. assure you. and the way he
handled the gloves indicated that he re-
ceived some very useful instruction at an
earlier period in his life
What was Mr.. Roots actual condition
when he came to your place for treatment?"
Mr.. MuldOOn asked.
Secretary Root" he answered, was very
weak and feeble when he came here. He
was suffering from mental exhaustion, his
nervous energy was worn out and his brain
was tired. He was anxious about matters
that should not have worried him. When
he went to bed his mind was worried about
things that did not exist and never would
exist Now all this has yielded to treat
ment and he is in better shape than in
years. He rides horseback. throws the
medicine ball. boxes. walks and enjoys life
thoroughly. He sleeps as sound as child
and eats even heartier than l do, and am
somewhat of an eater, l admit.
Gaining a Pound Day.
YES" continued Mr.. Muldoon, there
was at first much alarm and uneasiness
felt by Mr.. Roots family and his friends.
particularly the President, over his con-
dstion. At the present time Mr.. Root is
allowed two hours each day to attend to
necessary for him to attend to personally.
At all other times he is busy doing the
things that are restoring his good h>aeth
and vigorous constitution to their normal
conditions"
When was President Roosevelt here?"
about two weeks ago. He came over
In an automobile and nobody recognized
him. 1t Is remarkable how eagle-eyed
some people are, isn't it!' replied Mr.. Null
doom with hearty laugh.
ND
doom, has been here three weeks and
no one knew it until yesterday. and no.
body would be any the wiser now had Mr..
Roots secretary gone into town himself
to send off some kilograms, instead Of
sending them to White Plains by mes
senger. Why. Mr.. Root and have ridden
through White Plains at least twenty times
in the last three weeks and not a person
recognized the Secretary of State. although
among those that we passed were several
lawyers who had been at various times as
ISOLATED with him in important legal mat
ters
well, that Is about ALL" concluded Mr..
Muldoon, land when you go back you can
say that Mr.. Root has been gaining
strength at the rate of pound day, and
Is now twelve pounds heavier than he was
when he came here, and If the President
calls meeting of the cabinet before Mr..
Root goes to Mexico, Mr.. Root will be,
with the exception Of the President only.
about the strongest man around the table,
not even barring the marvelously vigorous
Secretary OF w ar, SnoulQ ne happen TO de-
fer his departure for the far east long
enough to attend the meeting"
Although visitors were not permitted on
the Muldoon farm, a man who had been
in the house said yesterday that he had
seen Secretary Root reading the papers on
the front porch earlier in the day, and
that he had never seen a healthier looking
man for his age than the Secretary of
State at the present time. Judged solely
by his appearance, he sa.~-, there wasn't
a healthier man in WeStchester county
yesterday than Secretary Root.
4lrs. Root is not with Secretary Root, but
is stopping at the Hotel Gotham, in this
city. She is kept informed of the Secre-
tary's progress and visits him several times
a week. The President Is also kept fully
posted as to the condition of the Secretary.
Loeb Makes Denial, as Usual.
OYSTER BAY, L. l., August 24.-Secre-
tary Loeb who keeps in almost constant
touch with his chief. denied yesterday that
the President had visited Secretary Root
at Muldoons place. 1t was not possible to
get any word direct from Sycamore HILL
but Secretary Loeb declared last night that
from his own knowledge he was prepared
unQualifedly to deny that President Roose-
velt had been away from Oyster Bay this
summer, with the exception OF his visit to
PrOyincetown. Mass.