East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-09-23
WILSON SHOWS ABILITY
TO GUIDE IN A CRISIS
THE PRESIDENT CAN THINK
THROUGH DECISION WITH
OUT CALLING ADVISORS.
BY GEORGE P. WEST.

Omitted Press Stair correspondent }
WASHINGTON, Sept, 22.-Througll
sweltering days of International crl-
ses (the word is stale in Washington
President Wilson again has demon
strated his marvellous ability to sit
tight and to think through to a deci-
sion without seeing advisors and
without furry in White House rou-
tine.
So far as visible signs go, President
Wilson in these perilous days might
be a quiet scholar leading a singu-
larly uneventful and retired life in
the big honey old mansion among
the trees.
During the most critical days oC
the Arabic Hesperian-Dumba Incl
dents he saw Secretary of State Ian
sing for a brief 40 minutes, ate lunch
con at his own table with Son-in-law
McAdoo once. and in the course of
week received formal calls lasting
fifteen minutes from not a half doz-
en- others-all persons of no import
ance to whom international affairs
are Greek.
Not once did the president sit
across the table from an official or
personal advisor and enjoy one of
those loose and informal discussions
that average citizens crave when con-
fronted by problems infinitely less
absorbing and momentous. One aft
ernoon he sat through a ball game
with the rotund form of Secretary Of
the Interior Lane beside him, but the
presidents shaking shoulders showed
that their conversation led far away
from submarines and diplomatic con-
spiracies.
All that policemen on the White
Hous lawn and white house corre-
spondents saw during these days was
the leisurely White House routine of
golfing in the morning and motor
ing in the afternoon. All the execu-
tive offices assistant secretaries read
newspapers and talked tennis or base
ball The appointment book was
nearly blank.
This does not mean that President
Wilson hasn't his finger on the pulse
of the nation. He has Imagination
for one thing, and 1t is declared it is
just because he wants to listen T.
the voice of all the people that he re-
fuses to listen to a handful who may
or may not represent the ninety mill
lions.
The president has resumed theater
going for the first time since the
death of Mrs Wilson. In his first
week he saw stock company in one
OF the old popular fayorites and a
vaudeville show.
There is nothing high brow in his
pleasures. No gum-chewing girl with
her STEADY beside her could be
more appreciative when sleep-stick
artist" falls into the footligEt
trough or reaches over and gives the
orchestra leader a resounding smack.
DR., Gary Grayson, White House
physician on special detail from the
navy lis the presidents constant COM
panion at golf, motoring and the the
alter, DR.. Grayson has reputation
as a good story teller and at the
White House he gets lots OF practice.
The president loves a good story and
laughs like a boy.
Washington doesn't like the presl-
dents seclusion, 1t likes the search
light on the Washington monument
at night and the Marine band. 1t
likes fuss and feathers, and it likes
White House occupants who are good
subjects for endless anecdotes. But
even to Washington the thought oc-
ours that perhaps the president Is