Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-27
President Cancels
His Speaking Tour

CONTINUED From Page One.)
the trip, had been up most of the
night attending to his wants. When
the physician left Mr.. Wilson
seemed to be resting more quietly.
Grayson Stops Speech.
At 5 O'Clock this morning. how
ever, Mrs. Wilson summoned Sc
cret service man on guard at the en-
trance of the presidential car and
asked that DR.. Grayson again be
called. Virtually without sleep dur
ing the night the president was in a
nervous condition. Toward morning,
however, he seemed to be better and
again was able to go to sleep.
Rising early, Mr.. Wilson was
dressed before his train reached
Wichita at 9 o'clock and was pre-
pairing some notes for his address at
the Wichita forum. 1t was then that
DR.. Grayson after an examination
took a resolute stand against con-
tinuance of the speaking trip. Sec
retary Tumulty was called into con-
sultati IN and the two prevailed upon
the president to abandon his plans
and return to the capital.
! Meantime the train officials, act
ing on orders from DR.. Grayson and
Secretary Tumulty, had sidetracked
the presidential special on the out
skirts OF Wichita, mile away from
/ N.,,n nd
awaiting impatiently for the chief
executive to appear. ...,
| Will Meet King.
Not since 1915 when he spent two
weeks at Cornish, N. H, has Mr.
Wilson really laid aside the work
of the presidency. Last year he
took a short cruise on the yacht
Mayflower, but he was occupied
most of the time, as he was during
his trips across the Atlantic, with
al problems.
Continued application of his mind
to these problems during the war
| and at the peace conference rather
than the immediate effects of his
speaking trip, are credited by his
! friends with responsibility for his
present illness.
Should vacation be decided upon
it is understood Mr. Wilson will
insist that it be postponed until af-
ter he has welcomed King Albert
to this country. Plans already had
been made, it became known today.
| for the president to go to New
York late next week to greet the
king. These plans now are held in
abeyance and should they be can
celed it is declared to be certain
that Mr.. Wilson at least will ar
range to extend the welcome in
| Washington.
Will Hold Conference.
Plansfor the labor and industrial
conference, which the president
has called to meet in Washington,
October e. will not be changed.
White House officials said today,
regardless of Mr.. Wilson's inability
to take part in the sessions. Should
he be unable to attend, it is likely
he may name some high official of
the government to represent him.
The presidential special left
| Wichita shortly before noon and the
run to Washington will be vir-
tually without stops. 1t is due at
the capital at a. M, Sunday.
After the decision to abandon the
remainder of the speaking tour had
been reached DR.. Grayson persuaded
the president to go to bed again and
he remained there most of the after
noon. He issued a short statement
of regret to the people of Kansas,
however, and sent similar messages
to the local communities at the
points remaining on his schedule.
Not New Affection.
The digestive arrangement from
which the president is suffering is
not a new affliction. For several
years he has had occasional attacks
of stomach trouble and shortly after
his return from France in July was
in bed for two days. On the. advice
Of his physician he has been particu-
larly careful in diet and during the
present trip has abstained from eat
ing anything except the food pre-
scribed by DR., Grayson.
More than once since he left
Washington it became known today
Mr. Wilson has been unable to eat
more than few mouthfuls at dinner
and has made his evening address
under a trying physical strain. He
kept that secret, however, and
even the officials nearest him did not
know of his indisposition. Every
where he has met the crowds smil-
lngly and has put vigorous gestures
into all OF his speeches.
Auto Rides Trying.
During the last address of his
speaking trip, however, delivered
yesterday at Pueblo, many of his
hearers remarked that he seemed to
be very tired and to speak with eff.
fort Mrs. Wilson, who sat on the