Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-05
Mrs. WILSON HAS
DIFFICULT TASK As
PRES|DENT'S NURSE
chief Executives Wife Is
-, Bearing Unprecedented
Burdens for a Woman, in
Face of Bitter CaIumnieS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

Journal)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-Behind
the scenes at the White House
where peering eyes cannot see but
where come newspaper editorials and
senatorial comment demanding to
know whether President Wilson
wrote his own message, whether he
Is functioning as head of the gov
eminent whether he should not be
legally declared incompetent to hold
office, there is a picture of heroic de-
termination on the part Of a worried
woman to save her husbands life
and fight to the bitter end the politi
cal calumny that is being avalanched
upon the man who gave seven years
to public service and now lies a vic
tim of nervous exhaustion.
The attack, for it has been renewed
with vigor in the last few days,
is not directed at the cabinet nor at
the secretary to the president, but
against an unidentified power in the
White House. Why doesn't some one
say what really ails the president?
Why doesn't some one announce
whether he wrote his own message?
Why do not the physicians deny that
the president is paralyzed or men
president see Senator Hitchcock last
Saturday? Why the secrecy and the
mystery? Questions like these have
bombarded the White House of late,
and the best way to answer them is
to tell what is happening in the ex-
ecutive mansion.
Between the president and the out
side world stands Mrs. Woodrow
Wilson, as devoted and faithful q
companion as ever nursed a sick man.
Day and night she is at his bedside
not only ministering to his wants,
but reading the mass of memoranda
that is transmitted to her and de-
termining what quantity he shall sec
each day. Mrs. Wilson has become
the presidents own secretary for
the time being. All notes that come
from government officials go to her
first.
Members of the cabinet communi-
cate with Secretary Tumu1ty, who in
turn brings to Mrs. Wilson's atten-
ton the matters which ought to have
the presidents time and thought. He
helps determine the priority and rela-
tive Importance of the matters, but
Mrs. Wilson finally decides how
much work the president shall do
each day. 1t is big task and an
immense responsibility, and it is
doubtful If ever woman in Amer
lean history had such burden. She
is constantly relying, however, on
the advice of the physicians who are
attending the president. They have
told her he will recover-his life
will be saved if he has rest and
care. AS between chance to save
a life and answer the numerous
statements and attacks that are be-
ing made upon the president, Mrs.
Wilson has chosen the course Of
stoical silence.
Why doesn't some one say what
is the matter with the president?
Some Of the most noted physicians
in the country have issued state
ments. Intimate details have from
time to time been revealed, even to
the extent of describing troubles
with the prostate gland and digestive
weaknesses. DR.. Dercum, the noted
neurologist, has issued a statement
saying the president was so much
improved that he didn't belive he
would have to come back to the
White House for regular visits any
more. Other statements of reas-
surance have been given. Yet the
cutlery for more details-for more in
formation continues.