The sun., 1919-09-27


tho President was annoyed by the bron-
ichiai irritation referred TO, but there was
never q hint until yesterday morning
that he might have to quit the tour and
seek rest
The reporters aboard the Presidential
special are now informed Ghat the Presi-
dent was living all this time on what he
called his "by-laws," his constitution, he
fntimated, having been depleted by the
strain OF work and energy. 1t is re-
voaled now that the long series of re-
ceptions and welcomings, the crowds, the
incessant turmoil found In every city,
the smoke and dust, the lack of exercise,
long periods Of confinement to the train,
sudden changes of altitude, climate ana
Temperature the mental strain OF look
ing ahead over a vast expanse OF words
that must be spoken, all of these allies
of nervous prostration combined near
the end OF the tour to fray his nerves
and disorder his digestion. For more
than a week the President had eaten
ecantily.
The possibility of breakdown unless
rest was enforced was perceived by DR..
0rayson In San Francisco eight days
ago. The President endured hot and
noisy parade and returned to the 81
Francis Hotel suffering from headache.
He confided then, DIR. Grayson says, that
headaches had troubled him for some
days. After accepting simple treatment
he went ahead to fulfili his San Fran
cisco engagements. speaking before
women's luncheon one day and before
business mems luncheon the next
"They Are Half Killing Me-"
This latter affair was held in the
Palace Hotel in a room much too small
TO accommodate the masses crowded into
II. The ventilation was bad smoking
was permitted. One OF the loudest bands
In the world blared steadily through the
meal The Presidents friends say tnat
he suffered overwhelmingly.
Heavens above!" he said to friend.
'-They think they are doing something
to please me and they are half killing
me"
It was suggested to him at that time
that Il might be wise to abandon the
tour and return straight to Washington.
but the President, 1t is stated. would not
listen to the advice, insisting that ne
would be able to complete the itinerary
Of 10000 miles. He felt better at San
Diego and at Los Angeles.
In fact he seemed to be more vigor-
GUS during the three or four days visit
to that sunny region than ne had been
at any time. But on the way from Los
Angeles to Reno, New, by way of Sac
ramento, there were phases Of the jour
ney which are said to have tired him
severely.
For many hours his train appeared
and disappeared in q series Of tunnels,
outs through the wall of the Sierras.
which enveloped and penetrated II with
coal gas. A part of the Journey lay
through forest fires whose heat and
acrid fumes could not be escaped. AL
he han ~
directed by the chief executives of the
railroads employed, nevertheless, there
were unavoidable bumpings and Earrings
due to the differences in skill among en-
gineers.
AI<nIi Dust Irrftates.
Approaching Salt Lake City, the train
sped one whole morning over q desert OF
ail1ali whose impalpable dust settled
over everything in sight and from which
the President suffered as did others
Then came violent changes of tempera-
ture and sudden changes of altitude,
sometimes from 1900 feet to thousand
or 30 in twelve hours.
DR.. Grsyson maintains that the Pres
fdent was not In the physical condition
70 endure without harm these abnormal
experiences.
At Reno and Salt Lake City he ap-
peared to those that had the opportunity
of observing him daily to be In ordinary
health. But at Denver and Pueblo yes-
terday he seemed to be tired. 1t was
noticed that he stumbled occasionally In
his speechmaking, repeated himself or
searched for perceptible space Of time
for q word he wanted to use. an unusual
thing for him.
Outwardly there seemed to be nothing
wrong. His step was quick and strong
and he carried himself as erect as COM
mon.
DR.. Grayson says that he ate little
last evening and that he complained OF
a severe headache when he went to bed
leaving Pueblo. At 2 o clock this morning
ne suffered from nausea and sent for
DR.. Grayson. At 4 o'clock he had an
other attack Of stomach Illness and DIR.
Grayson, who had remained In the May
flower, the Presidents private car, again
administered medicine.
ST Shall Have to Give Up"
The President had little sleep through
the night. Early this morning, as the
train was nearing Wichita, the Presi-
dent admitted his breakdown. He said
TO DR.. Grayson and Secretary Tumulty
ct can't go on with this. shall have
60 give UP the rest of the tour"
This was precisely what DIR. Graysor
intonded to order, for he exercises large
authority on occasion. He told the
President that the decision was wise
that there was nothing to worry about
but that the President owed II to him
self 10 seek immediate rest and that
the White House was the only placs
where absolute rest would be possible.
DIR. Grayson told the President to stay
IN bed till further orders.
Then there was a stir indeed. Plan,
made weeks ago down to the last detail
of the Presidents reception In Wichita
Oklahoma City, Little Rock. Memphis
and Louisville had to be nullified b,
wire. The most detailed arrangement
by the Railroad Administration and tn,
various lines of roads for handing tn,
Presidential special through Kansas
Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky and in
tervening States to Washington had 4
be cancelled In haste.
New routing had to be made Thomai
Lipsett, representing the Railroad Ad
ministration. and T. w. .Smthers Of IN,
Presidents stan sat down to reroute tn,
train. They burned the wires to Wash
iEgton. upset half a dozen great railroa,
systems, figured out a thousand detaili
IN ten minutes and finally o. KID tn,
finished new schedule.
Coming by Shortest ROute.
They had rerouted the Presidential
special from Wichita to Kansas CIT,
over the Santa Fe, from Kansas City 4
st. Louis over the Missouri Pacific, an,
from St Louis to Washington over tn