The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-10-14
Presidents Physicians Say He
Must Take a Prolonged
Rest Cure.
AFFECTS STATE AFFAIRS
Vice-President Marshall May Be
Given Full Power But Some
Hold President Cannot Be Re-
moved for Disability.

Washington, Oct 13.-Hope that
President Wilson might regain his
normal health and resume fully the
duties Of his Office was swept away
by his physicians, who announced it
would be impossible for him to leave
his bed "for an extended period"
The announcement, made after a
consultation between Rear Admiral
Grayson and the three other physici-
ans aiding In the case, said there had
been no interruption OF the presi-
dents slow improvement, but EN-
phasized that he still had a long road
to travel before he reached complete
recovery.
The physicians announcement was
not taken to mean that Mr.. Wilson
would be prohibited from sitting up
in bed and it was considered entirely
possible that he might be permitted
to sign few important bills and or
ders each day as his progress contin-
ues.
Besides DR.. Grayson, the physicians
who took part in the consultation
were DR.. F. y. Dercum, of Philadel-
phia, an expert on nervous disorders.
Rear Admiral Z. r. Stitt, head Of the
naval hospital. and DR.. Sterling Ruff
fin, OF Washington. All OF them
have been in close touch with the pa
tfent's condition for more than a
week, and they were said to be unani-
nous in their agreement that an ex-
tended rest from the worries Of the
presidency is necessary.
Announcement that President Will.
son cannot leavGAhs bed "for an ex-
tended period" although in keeping
with the program originally planned
for Mr.. Wilson by DR.. Grayson,
brought home to officials the possible
effect of the presidents illness on pub
lie affairs and renewed discussion as
TO what eXpedient might be adopted
should the press of the executive bus
mess reach a point demanding more
attention than he could give it.
The disposition on all sides seems
TO be to refrain from raising the
question of the presidents disability
to act under the constitution, but
officials are known to have considered
ii as one of the possibilities of the
situation.
The constitution provides that in
case OF the presidents disability the
vice-president shall act as chief execu-
tive but there Is no precedent for
such transfer of authority and of.
fetal opinion is divided as to how II
might be brought about should the
necessity arise.
Situation Presents Puzzle.
Who could declare a'president's dis
ability is known to present something
of a puzzle to the legal advisers OF the
government. The constitution is ST
lent on the point and in the absence
of an exact precedent a number OF d.
vergent opinions have been advanced
informally.
In some quarters 1t is held that the
decision could be properly made by
the cabinet because ii would be in a
position to Judge If the functioning
of a chief executive really were neces-
sary in the public interest. In every
case of the death of president. IL Is
said, IL has been the cabinet which
has notified the vice-president OF his
succession to the presidency.
What might be the result should
the cabinet disagree as to a presi
dents disability, and whether decls.
ion would have to be unanimous or by
a majority vote, admittedly presents
another complication.
In the opinion OF others, It would
REQUIRE a resolution OF congress to
make valid the transfer of executive
authority because of disability. II ia
argued that once the point is raised
formally the question Is thrown Into
congress just as II is I'm case OF q
deadlock in the electoral college.
II also is argued by some that the
whole matter would be one for de-
termination by the supreme court. on
the hypothesis that II would be 4 ju-