The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-05
MIS- wilson Is secretarY.

pNAWNNH NIlb III tGiuNlI anu Lllt Oul~ |
side world stands Mrs. Woodrow Wilson
as devoted and faithful a companion as
ever nursed a sick a Day and night
she Is at his bedside, not only minis
tering to his wants, but reading the
mass of memoranda that is transmitted
to her and determining what quantity
he shall see each day.
Mrs. Wilson has become the presi-
dents own secretary for the time be-
ing. All notes that come from govern
ment officials 60 to her first. Members
of the cabinet communicate with Sec
rotary Tumulty, who in turn brings to
Mrs. Wilson's attention the matters,
which ought to have the presidents
time and thought. He helps determine
the priority and the Importance of the
matters, but Mrs. Wilson finally decides
how much work the president shall do
each day.
1t is a big task, and an immense
responsibility, and 1t is doubtful II
ever a woman In American history had
such a burden. She Is constantly rely
ing, however, on the advice of the ply
sicians who are attending the president,
They haze told her he will recover, his
| life will be saved, if he has rest and
care. AS between a chance to save a
life, and answer the numerous state
ments and attacks that are being made
upon the president, Mrs. Wilson has
chosen the course of stoical silence.
Why doesn't someone say what is the
matter with the president? Some of
the most noted physicians in the coun-
try have issued statements. Intimate
details have from time to time been
revealed even to the extent of describ-
ing troubles with the prostate gland
and digestive weakness. DR.. Dercum,
the noted neurologist, has issued a
statement saying the president was so
much improved that he didn't believe he
would have to come back to the White
House for regular visits any more. Other
statements of reinsurance have been
given. Yet the cutlery for more details
for more information, continues.
Stupid Campaign of Doubt.
AT the White House, officials place
the blame for this intensified curiosity
In the country at large to the studied
campaign of doubt, which the political
opponents of the president have been
casting upon his acts ever since he be-
came sick.
Instead Of adopting a resolution of
sympathy for the president, not an ex-
preston of that kind has been intro
duced in the houses or senate by the
Republicans, who are In control--a series
OF, speeches have been made. all tend
ing to cast discredit upon those who
were speaking In behalf Of the presi-
dent, as wen as the president himself.
First came a debate as to whether
Mr.. Wilson'S signature was his W on
a public document, the inference be-
ing that 1t was forged by some Of his
subordinates; then came the puhlica-
ton Of a letter In which one senator
spoke of a cerebral lesion, of which he
had heard rumors and on which he
based his Judgment that the presi-
dent would be incapacitated for the
remainder Of his term. Following close
~ upon this were stories of how the
presidents office could be declared va
cant and should be. The newspapers
hostile to the president In this vicinity
have lately renewed this form Of at
tack, on top OF it all has come a series
of statements from senators published
broadcast saying they did not believe
the president wrote his recent message
TO congress,
Forget His Courtesies.
Officials at the White House point
to the fact that the presidents OPP
~ponents are not fighting fair and that
they forget how quickly Mr.. Wilson
cancelled his speaking engagements In
1.-the 1912 campaign when Theodore
Roosevelt was shot; how quick he was
to offer sympathy when Mr.. Roosevelt
was Ill and yet there have been nc
two men more bitterly opposed to each
other in politics In this generation thar
Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roose'
welt.
But Il is Mrs. Wilson who is com
PEELED to bear the whole burden. Thu
president could take up more tasks
could see more persons II she wanted
to take the risks involved in Il sudder
resumption of intense activity.
II was Mrs. Wilson who took thu
responsibility In declining last Satur
day, when Senator Hitchcock called, t.
4 have anyone see the president. He hat
lust been through u long examination
by physicians-their weekly consulta
ton. Mrs. Wilson felt Il vas not wis
to add to the strain OF the day, II tn,
matter could be left over until anothe
day.
1t is not pleasant for a woman In he
position to read the bitter attack tina
Is being heaped upon someone In tn
White House." but Mrs, Wilson |
probably hopt full that the age Of Chival
ny has not passed and that the Amert
can people win not approve of tn
campaign that Is being carried to fore
the president into activities that Nigh
cost him his life.
Meantime the cabinet is t~unctionint
sind important decisions of policy ar
n being made by the president himself, a
doubts EXPRESSED bv his opponents I
the contrary Notwithstanding,
"A