The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-12-07
d
HANBACK,
lFMESSACE
or WILSON
N Tragedy of Lone Man
IL White House Over
hangs Washington.
pY DAVID LAWRENCE.
tcnas,al tn The ArRuSD,

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial to 1ne Argus).
Warrington, Dec. This might
~ be called inaugural week in
,ss national capital. The fesLivi-
- and ceremony will come on
uarch 4 but to all intents and pur-
,oees, the arrival OF President-elect
harding marks the beginning OF
ths new regime. The Republicans
"a already in control OF both
houses OF congress and are fully
uranized SO they need only take
thulr cue tor the present session
rom the new leader OF the party.
When Mr. Harding, moreover,
s,ooints his cabinet, the new heads
a tue departments will be abe 10
nj familiar with the executive bu-
raus Of the government without
vaiting for March 4. But the i'm
portant thing about this week Is
Inc spirit with which the Republi-
ans are approaching their new re-
sponsibilit.es. They realize that
y nucn progress can be maze by way
q public hearings and committee
meetings in formulating a basic
proSram Of legislation for the ex-
IN session of congress TO be call
d by Mr.. Harding Immediately aft
n he takes me Oath OF office.
There is already a disposition on
The part of the Democrats to defer
To- the Republicans and to put no
| cbstruetions in their path. Thus
10 session of congress which has
lust opened may be more prOduc-
i've that was hrst anticipated. 1t
. only in tie executive mansion it
selt that the element Of mystery and
doubt remains. Up to noon when
congress convened the newspaper
corfespondeLts were unaware
whether the president would send
biz message to congress or come
% the capitol himself to deliver it..
Indeed, the message itself had not
even been sent to the printers or
Mvance copies of it given to the
nrious press associations to be
held for release as has been the
custom in the past.
Hidden Drama.
Back of all this is drama which
slhe public is not permi ted to see.
/ Woodrow Wilson is struggling
against the advice OF physicians
Who have rot thought it wise for
him to appear in person in con-
gress. 1t was against the advice
Of physicians that he took the ia
mpls ives orn trip which resulted
| in bis nervous breakdown. His ad-
visers say he is we'll enough to de-
liver the message. but they see no
reason to take a risk the excite
nent Of which may bring on a re-
lapse,
Still cherishing the idea that he
nay be able to round out his admin
htrsti0n with q concrete achieve
nent for world peace, MIR. Wilson
wants action by the present con-
eress on the treaty and League OF
Nations covenant He has been
urged 10 send it back to the senate
VI b compromise suggestions. Most
! OF his advisers favor such course.
fhey declare that the Republicans
may ignore the treaty, but that the
record OF the Democratic admins
ration will thus have been COM
ple,ed.
Keeps Own Counsel.
Character!stically silent. Mr.. Will
Won has kept his own counsel and
gwen no inkling of his plans to
shyone. Even White house officials
poiessed absolute ignorance of
me presidents intentions and did
ao say as they have so often in
!ne past that they knew but were
lornldden ID tell The fact OF the
natter is that the tragedy Of the
white house Is the single cloud that
o'ernangs Washington as the new
"ngfess ccnvenes. Few people
1now how the president is getting
.oas' Only the vaguest kind OF in
,Omation comes from the White
aOuse chiefly because there is little
70 tell. Mr., Wilson drifts along
~'n a minimum of work and a
MAXIMUM OF rest and quiet.
Solitary Man.
~ ne IS more solitary than ever.
ne aolds few conferences. sees his
.eina officers rarely and trans
US business In the inner sanctum
'nout any outward evidence. His
"soulmendations to congress are
aAoe up by his cabinet officers who
~ really running the government.
mpAthy for the president is
os'hs as he struggles TO over
IVY. svne obstacles Of i'll health and fin-
~ out his term. He is said to be
much better condition than a
IN ago and better able TO function
neac of the government than he
Nv M Bat he is necessarily mac
~. ne mad hoped to go to con-
sS tor farewell address and a
t;seii t;oes plea for the League OF Ma
n':s % His indomitable will re-
"a, win him. He thinks he is
Il. 81 enough to go to congress. Will
on, MUSICIANS or his own will win
Tomorrow the answer win