New-York tribune., 1919-12-06
Is Told Developments in
Situation Below Border:
Tells Funny Story and
Quotes ''Mr. Dooley''
Sends Humorous
Message to Moses
Does Not Move Body or
Legs in Bed, According
to Statements by Fall
By Carter Field
NetD York Tribune
WQsHfnOf0n Rurs1u

NeD York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Senator
Fall and Senator Hitchcock spent
forty-five minutes with the Presi
dent this afternoon and afterward
reported to their colleagues that the
Presidents mind was as clear as a
bell.
The two Senators constituted q
subcommittee of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, which directed
them to seek a conference with the
President and ascertain his views on
Mexico.
On their return to the Capitol the
two Senators were besieged with
questions as to the Presidents con-
cition. There was minor interest
IN the errand which took them to the
White House. The release of Con-
sular Agent Jenkins had subordi-
mated that, but it was apparent that
even If the sending of an army into
Mexico were a probability the first
questions asked would still have
been about the Presidents health.
Humorous Message to "Moses"
This is a brief account of what
the Senators told:
The President is able to think
clearly, to speak without any notice.
able difficulty in articulation and to
use both hands. His lace is full and
his color good. He not only showed
himself able to grasp a situation,
but told one funny story and sent
B. humorous message to Or" Moses,
the Senator whose personal letter
expressing the opinion that the Pres
ident had a brain lesion was print
ed some months ago. This message
was regarded as most significant. It
showed that those protecting the
President had not hesitated to in
form him about the reports which
were being circulated about his
health.
Scores of rumors which have been
circulated, quoting all sorts of au-
thorities, are killed by this informa-
ton, all vouched for by Senator
Fall.
Paralysis Rumor Killed
Among the rumors disposed of are
those that the Presidents right side
was paralyzed. that it had affected
his mouth and he could not speak
clearly, that his brain was affected,
that everything in the way of COM
ment on his condition was being kept
from him, that he was not capable Of
writing any of the messages which
he had signed, that he was practic-
ing writing with his left hand be-
cause his right was paralyzed, and
that he could not write at all.
Senator Fall told his colleagues that
the President was covered up to his
neck as he lay almost fat on his back
in bed. He shook hands with both
Senators with his right hand. He
once reached his right arm across his
left and picked up a paper For the
entire forty-fve minutes of the inter-
view Senator Fall did not see him move
his body or legs.
While Senator Hitchcock was busy
puncturlng all the rumors which have
been circulating, he was told that it
was learned the President had not
moved his body or legs during the enc
tire interview.
II cannot say as to that" Mr.. Hitch
cock replied.
Senators were convinced after talk
ing with Mr.. Fall and Mr. Hitchcock
that the President is mentally clear
but physically in bad shape.
Relief Felt in Capitol
Tonight no one in Congress doubts
that the President is as able mentally
to deal with governmental problems
as he ever has been, subject, of course
to the necessity of not presenting them
to him in too quick successian and
thereby firing him out physically
The President put an old-time Will
son punch, with the humorous twist.
in message he sent to Senator Moses,
through Senator Fall. Senator Moses
had written a constituent, some months
ago, that the President had a cerebral
lesion.
II hope you will deliver a message
for me to DR. Moses" the President
Is quoted by Senator Fall as having said