Evening star., 1919-10-12
PROLONGED REST
FOR Mr.. WILSON,
DOCTORS ED|cT
DispeIs the Hope That He
Miqht Soon Resume His
Official Duties.
NO INTERRUPTION NOTED
IN HIS IMPROVEMENT
Freedom From Worry, However,
Deemed Essential-Effect Of Ill
ness on Public Business
Discussed.

THE President has haQ comIoIt-
able day.
fs;ened, "GRAYsON."
Decision Follows Consultation.
The announcement, made after con-
suItation between Rear Admiral Gray
son and the three other physicians
aiding in the case, said there had
been no interruption of the Presidents
slow Improvement, but emphasized
that he still had long road to travel
before he reached complete recovery.
Although in keeping with the pro-
gram of rest originally planned for
Mr.. Wilson by DR.. Grayson, the ply
sicians' announcement brought home
to officials the possible effect OF the
Presidents illness on public affairs
and renewed discussion as to what ex-
pedient might be adopted should the
press of executive business reach
point demanding more attention than
he could give it. The disposition on
al sides seems to be to refrain from
raising the question Of the Presidents
disability to act under the Constitu-
t1on, but officials are known to have
oohsldered stteas one Of the possibili-
ties Of the situation.
What Constitution Provides.
Ths Constitutions provides that In
case Of the PrAsident's disability"
the Vice President shall act as chief
executive. but there IL no precedent
for such q transfer Of authority, and
oficial opinion H., divided as to how
It might be brought about should the
necessity arise.
The physicians announcement was
not taken to mean that Mr.. Wilson
would be prohibited from sitting up
In bed, and 1t was considered entirely
possible that he might be permitted
to sign q few important bills and
orders each day as his progress con-
tinues. That will be q matter. how
ever. which those attending him must
decide as time goes on. and the dis
position Of officials seems to be to let
any question Of his disability solve
itself as specific cases arise.
Physicians Who Consulted.
Besides DR.. Grayson, the physicians
who took part in the consultation
were DR.. F. X. Dercum of Philadel-
phia, an expert on nervous disorders;
Rear Admiral E. r. Stitt. head Of the
Naval Hospital. and DIR. Sterling Ruff
I'm Of Washington. All Of them have
been in close touch with the patients
condition for har
they were said to be unanimous In
their agreement that an extended rest
from the worries of the presidency is
necessary.
Withhold Specific Prediction.
None of the physicians would be
more specific in predicting the extent
OF the Presidents confinement. nor
would they say whether he might be
permitted to give any attention to
legislation and other matters await
ing his action. For several days DR..
Graysou's prohibition against work
has been absolute. and although the
accumulation OF executive business ia
said not to be great. the measures now
ready for executive action include the
prohibition enforcement bill and i'm
portant amendments to the food con-
troll act.
It is agreed on all sides, however.
that mere failure to sign a legislative
measure would not constitute dis
ability, since bills passed by Congress
become laws automatically If the
President fails to act within ten days
after they reach him. The view Of
some administration officials is that
measures known to have Mr.. Wilson's
approval could be legally written on
the statute books under this pro-
vision. while those known to be unac-
ceptable could be held up by admins
tration leaders in the Senate and
House.
Still Retains War Powers.
In any consideration of the oues-
tion OF disability it Is pointed out
that most Of the sweeping powers
vested in the executive as war expe-
disnts still are in the hands of the
President alone. Consequently. al
though by common agreement each
memier of the cabinet is conducting
his duties as If he were President
50 far as his particular department is
concerned, 1t is suggested that cases
might arise under war legislation in
which any department head would be
powerless.
Who could declare a Presidents
disability is known to present some-
thing OF puzzle to the legal ad-
visers Of the government. The Con-
stitution is silent on the point and
in the absence of an exact prece-
dent . number of divergent opinions
have been advanced informally.
In sorne quarters 1t 10 held that
(Continued on Second Pare