The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-12-09
By JAY JEROME WILLIAMS.

By JAY JEROME WILLIAMS.
Washington, Dec. 5.-There is a
sick man in the White House, but he
is one whose mind is keen and alert
he is able to understand and to give
counsel on subjects of the greatest
importance to the people of the
United States, and grave illness OF
more than two months has not been
able to down his good nature.
This was the composite impression
brought back to the capitol today by
two senators, Fall of New Mexico,
republican, and Hitchcock of Nebras-
ka. democrat-who were named by
the senate foreign relations commit
tee to see the president on the Mexl-
can situation:
The senators we're closeted with the
president for more than twenty-five
minutes and it was the first time
since the president was taken SICK
that he was seen by a republican
senator. The greatest interest was
therefore attached to what Senator
Fall said after the interview.
How Wilson Appeared to Senator Fall
81 was most agreeably surprised oy
the presidents conditions" were the
first words of the New Mexico sena-
tor when he returned to the capitol.
"He was proped up slighly in the bed,
living on his back, when we entered
his room, and he shook hands with
both Senator Il ;chcock and me. HIS
mind was per-. ~ alert; he was able
to grasp every .ning that we said, and
he asked me to put in memorandum
form for his information the subs
tance of the facts told him. | talk
/ ed practically all the time and gave
him my reason and proof OF my
charges for severance of diplomatic
relations with Mexico.
"The president asked me when the
foreign relations committee was to
meet again on the resolution, and
!. told him Monday morning. | assume
that we will hear from him by that
Z time. He had no comment to make
on either the resolution or the facts
laid before him. He gave me no 1ntl-
nation of what he would do"
Tonight Senator Fall sent to the
White, House the data requested by
the president. The senator from
New Mexico does not believe that
the release of VIM. 0. jenkins from
penitentiary at Puebla changes the
situation an iota. In this he differs
from Senator Hitchcock. But Sem
ator Fall said this evening that ne
Mad mentioned the jenkins case only
incidentally to the president because
1t didn't play an important part In the
evidence he placed before the chief
executive.
Will Allay Rumors.
The visit of the two senators to
he White House today will probably
Lay practically all of the reports and
Eulaors that have been in circulation
4 the past two weeks. Senator Fall was
asked concerning all of them.
seDid you notice any impediment IN
the presidents articulation" was
: the first question put to him.
ssNo, I did not" was the reply.
tsWill you say anything about the
presidents mental condition."
q aHe certainly appeared to be in a
good mental condition as any ordl-
knary man who has been sick for nine
or ten weeks" the senator said.
ssWas there anhytcike mss, ,hth-cs, st
"Was there any thickness IN his
speech?" !,
ssNo more than might be attributed
to a dry throat; could see that the
4 presidents lips were dry because he
moistened them occasionally, but that
is not unnatural for a person who has
been sick"
''Was there any appearance OF
facial paralysis?"
s'None whatever.
President Used Right Hand.
Senator Fall said that the only
movement he saw the president make
was when he shook hands with him
= and Senator Hitchcock, and little
klater when the president reached with
his right hand to a small table ad-
Joining the bed and took from it a
copy of the Fall resolution. The
!. presidents body was entirely COW
cred, but he wore brown sweater,
which revealed itself when he ex-
tended his hand in welcome to the
visitors. The arm of this sweater
was either torn or cut at the should
er. the senator recalled.
ssYou did not see the president
move his legs?a the senator was
asked.
y ''No,' was the response.
eff you were asked the question,
Is the president paralyzed below his
waist would you be able to answer
81 would not be able to answer that
question" said the senator.
I. Senator Fall sSetched his visit to
lthe White House in rapid-fre order.
YHe said that he and Senator Hitch
cock were met by DR.. Cary T. Gray
son, the presidents personal physi-
clan, who operated the elevator and
? took the visitors to the president S
quarters on the second floor of the
executive mansion. When they en-
tered the presidents room they were
Greeted first by Mrs. Wilson and