Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-08
HOW PRESIDENT WILL. TRANSACT
BUSINESS DURING STAY ABROAD
Set Up by Means of Which He Will
Be Kept in Close Touch With White
House and Domestic Matters.

ment has been made for their special
transportation on, naval vessels, unless
they can make better time on board YES
sells which happen to be ordered to the
Ing.
For the daily exchange of dis
patches by cable and by wireless
between the President and Mr.. Tum-
ulty a special code was worked out.
Not only will this save time in trans
preclude spies Of enemy countries
obtaining information which their
delegates might seek to use to in
fluence peace negotiations. On the
Presidents vessel, the George Wash
ington, are eight code experts of the
State Department. This indicates
that, though the Navy will be re-
sponsible for delivery of the wire
less messages, and the Post Office
Department for the cable messages
for the cables now are in govern
ment control under Mr.. Burleson. the
DECIDING will be done by the State
Department here.
Domestic Matters to Wait.
Comparatively little domestic bust
ness will be transacted by the Presi-
dent in comparison with what he usual
~ performs in Washington. Many
matters, not of urgent importance,
will wait until he returns. With the
President is. his confidential clerk.
Gilbert T. Close. but practically every
other member of his staff is related
to the peace negotiations.
The Presidents activities while
abroad will be confined largely to
making necessary appointments and
passed by Congress, which go before
him FOR signature or veto. OF course,
as he stated to Congress. he will be
accessible, at all times, for counsel
or service to members of Congress
or TO government officials.
1t SO happens that questions of
legality concerning his transaction of
government business while away
from the country center about the
two activities first mentioned. Valid
ity of appointments, which require
Senate ratification. and must be
transmitted under his signature, and
his power to veto bills within the
stitution are the two points upon
which critics of his going abroad
have laid stress.
Signed Appointment Forms.
Appointments which the Senate
must ratify are sent to the Capitol
on blank forms. nlled IN Dy white
House clerks and signed by the Pres
ident. 1t is generally believed, though
White House officials have not SC
stated, that a number of these blank
forms have been signed and left al
the White House to be filled out
when the need arises. at the cabled
order from the President.
More complicated. perhaps, is the
question of the exercise of the Presi-
dents veto power. Unless he vetoes
a measure within ten days it becomes
a law. His signature is not necessary
There was some contention to the ef-
feet that these measures had to be
presented to the President for his
signature. But constitutional lawyers
pointed out that II such presentation
were necessary all any President
would have to do to obstruct legisla.
ton indefinitely would be to seclude
himself and avoid receiving Legislative
|enactments. So there 10 no difficulty
on the point Of measures which thu
President approves.
Should he desire to exercise his vete
power. showevef. q question arises OF
CONTINUED % Third Pase.) .