Evening star., 1916-11-10
Cast Precedent Aside in Sew
eraI Instances in Nearly
Four Years of Service.
ADDRESSING OF CONGRESS
IN PERSON AN EXAMPLE
Ended Practice of Having Executive
Mansion Mecca for Distribu-
:tion Of Patronage.

President Wilson brought with hin
60 the executive chair some ideas o.
his own as to the conduct of the office
He cast precedent aside in many thing:
and played the official game as hi
thought best.
For more than 100 years President:
of the United States had transmitted
their recommendations to Congress:
concerning legislation by means OF
messages, and had kept away from
the halls of Congress to avoid charges
that they were trying to influence 6
separate branch of the government. Mr.
Wilson. instead of writing messages
jumped into his automobile and went
directly to Congress with his views
reading what he had to say from pre-
pared document. During his term OF
Office he has sent few written COM
munications to that body. and on al!
important matters he has appeared be.
fore the two bodies in joint session
and told the assembled congressman
what he thought best for the country
The most dramatic appearance he made
before this joint session was when he
told the national legislators of . the
crisis with Germany and the exhaus-
tion of the official patience that had
been shown that country. This was
April 1e last. 1t was a last resort te
bring Germany to the American view
II succeeded to the satisfaction Of Mr.
Wilson and his official advisers.
Often Has Used Capitol Room.
Frequently during his term the
President availed himself of his
privilege of using the presidential
room in the Senate chamber for con-
ferences on important subjects. foreign
and domestic, with democratic and re-
publican senators. Before that Presi-
dents only went to the Capitol in the
closing hours to sign bills. They did
not go to press upon the legislators
their views as to what should be done.
For doing this he has been charged
with tampering with a separate and
Independent body that should not be
Influenced from the White House or
anywhere else except by public opinion.
The President, however. has taken the
position that he is sponsor for the
public thought of the country as to
legislation. and that it is his duty to
transmit the opinions of the voters to
congress in any proper manner. He
never considered it improper to per-
sonally and directly deal with sena-
tors and representatives.
In fact. Mr. Wilson has been so dis
regardful of precedents and prejudices
that Fridays and the 18th of the month
even when they fell upon the same day
have been looked upon as his lucky
days There have been no "hoodoos'
for him. His intellectual attainments
1roWn upon superstitions and he has
never hesitated to start any large un-
ri Ytn
signs his name with thirteen letters
and he often has stopped after doing
II thirteen times. One President of
recent years shared the superstition
that If he spoke of his health being
unusually good he must touch wood or
illness might overtake him. 1t was
about his only superstition. Not so
Mr.. Wilson.
Filled Only Important Positions.
President Wilson smashed the long,
existent idea that the White House
should be mecca for patronage dis
tribution and quarrels. When he came
into Office he turned over to his cabi-
net officers the duties of going through
All applications for office and making
recommendations to him. He has been
consistent in following these recon.
fnendations- In this way he has ken,
out Of the dissensions over iobs anf
the cabinet officers have had to stand
the 'cussing" of those who became
sore Mr.. Wilson has given personal
attention only to important Diplomatic
appointments, making his own selec.
t!ons in the majority of cases He had
mat understanding with William 7
Bryan on the Nebraskan becoming
Secretary OF State Mr.. BRYAN atts,I
ed 70 the smaller appointments -. Ehs
diplomatic and consular service bur the
posts VIZ D4e
While Mr.. Wilson's RESPONSIBILITIES
nave been enormous. he has carried
1hsm with ease, and has not LET them
ioiIow nun INTO his private life He
mas. under the direction of his ptvsi-
IAN IAN ana friend, DIR. Cary Grayson
taken plenty OF time for recreation and
ne maintenance of his health. When
ne was Governor of New jersey he es-
tabhshed the rule that SATURDAYS would
os hola"Es with him. and he brought
;his rule to the White House He fol
lows IN" rule. too During his nearly
Tour vars few SATURDAYS have found
alHl considering Official matters, and
visitors have never been allowed TO
reach hir on that day. He pIavs
g"!t or rides. generally playing golf
each saturday morning and taking :,
ionS automobile ride in the afternoon
Since MS marriage to Mrs Gait his
saturday automobile sides have been
extensive. covering ali parts of the
country adjacent TO Washington Coli
Is TIE favOrItc outdoor recreation of
mr- " ilsoH. and when he is not pressed
win "hciti business he plays the gam.
hinaoS' every afternoon that the wealth
rr permits. His companions are Mrs
W ilson and Dr. Grayson He shuns the
2ot courses that are crowded and goes
Nhere there are the feWest number of
players. lie does not ask or exuect
privileges on the golf courses NOT en-
!9yed ny other players. insisting that
me rules Df the game be followed as
70 rights OF players. positions etc.
Believes in Plenty of Sleep.
Mr.. Wilson has not taken up anv Of
the physical Development fads; has no,
called in any boxers, wrestlers or train.
ers 10 keep him in physical shape. He
believes in a reasonable amount of ont.
door exercise and plenty of sleep to
ward OF the ills of life. If he is tired
out from long attention TO official duty
he goes 20 bed and sleeps for eleven OF
Give hours at stretch Often he
has gone away from Washington 70,
several days at "a time on the Nav
flower. his yacht, TO be sure of getting
sufficient sleep and rest. He likes
water trips.
sir. Wilson has had pretty good health
( since iie entered the White House He
z has a liver just like any ordinary man
and on four or hve occasions IL ha.
gotten unruly and out of sorts, reuuir.
ing DIR. Grayson's service to bring il bach
10 normal duty He has had bad colds
IN fact. d good many of them, but wher
he shows signs OF colds or grip. DIR
Grayson puts him to bed and compel,
him to stay there until he is improved