Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-10-16
Serious Condition
Of Wilson Being
Kept From Public

Washington. Oct. 16.-That President
Wilson'S illpess Is much more serious
than officially admitted at the White
House has been known by the cabinet
for more than week.
The actual condition of the presl-
dent and the precise character or his
ailment were communicated to secre-
stary Lansing and other members of
the cabinet by Admiral Cary Grayson.
the presents physician. but with the
understanding that nothlng shourd be
made public beyond the information
contained In the official bulletins
framed by the physicians IN attend
ance. g. - -
Mr.. Wilson's ultimate recovery de-
pends upon his recuperative powers
aided by absolute rest Of mind and
body. The chief danger Is aggrava-
tion Of the ailment, which might be
brought about by some mental or
PHYSICAL exertioC. -
I 1t was to this contingency that DR..
Grayson referred in private letter
in which he said OF the president:
My great difficulty is to keep him
from becoming irritated as a result Of
the rest treatment, for II he should
strain himself too severly. complica-
tions might result"
Barring this contingency the recov-
cry of the president. In the opinion Of
this physicians. Is only question Of
time. II 10 conceded, however, that It
is, likely to DE two, or three months
before Mr.. Wilson. under the most ia
vorable circumstances, will be enabled
to resume active discharge Of his du-
ties.
The disposition to conceal the. real
character OF the illness still persists
at the White House.
Nothing approaching such secrecy
has been known since the major oper-
alton on President Cleveland. which
took place aboard a yacht in the At
lantic and was kept secret for years.
1t was learned today that DIR. Gray
son for years has feared jYst such an
attack as this from which Mr.. Wilson
is now suffering. Several times In the
last few years DR.. Grayson required
the president to drop all work and rest
until the danger point was passed.
During the recent tour the official
physician was constantly on the alert
for this symptom. As the tax on the
presidsnt's; physical powers increased
DR.. Grayscn was accustomed to watch
Mr.. Wilson intently during his speech
es.i So
II ID said that during the Pueblo ad-
dress the last Mr.. Whom delivered,
Or. 0EAxaon saw the ,presidsnt's facial
muscles twitch. He Ghdeawofed TO at
tract the ssss5Akn OF thS president in
6rdefi.tS areA him 70 terminate hts ad-
dress, but Mr.. yvilsorheeither did not
notice the warning signal orsiEnored 1t,
and persisted in speaking even >rongel
than he intended. Mrs. Wilson is said
to have been apprised of the danger
during the speech and became ex-
tremely nervous.
It was the knowledge OF the serious
nature of the ailment that caused Sec
rctary Lansing to call the cabinet to
study the situation last week. 1t was
then officially denied tnat there had
been any discussion OF the question OF
calling upon the vice president to as
suYine the executive orrice.
A few days latereit rranspired that
there was such discussion. but that
1t was decided to try other expedients
for carrying on the administration, and
to can upon the vice president only n,
the event that such expedients should
prove Inadequate.
one member proposed that com.
mittee of three cabinet ministers be ap.
pointed to act as the executive, but
II was deemed better to have each cab
met member handle all executive mat
ters within his jurisdiction, ana SUP
NIT matters beyond his province to the
full cabinet
The latter plan Is now being followed
and the cabinet government Is in full
swing today. M 49, A.. .... .