The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-08-17
PRESIDENT WILSON IS
STILL VERY WEAK MAN
SEVERE SELECTION IS MADE OF
MATTERS THAT ARE SUB
MITTED TO HIM.
SEEMS ALERT MENTAL Y

Executive Is Not Able to Walk Freely
and His Visitors See Him in q
Wheeled Chair-Wife Is Constant
Attendant and Nurse.
WASHINGTON, D. C.-When visi-
tors come to Washington their first
inquiry of their congressman is,
what about the PRESIDENT"
1t is a question that is hard to an
swer. The lack of frankness on the
part of the doctors at the outset ere
ated an atmosphere of suspicion and
mystery which was prolific of runors.
The mystery has largely cleared up.
But necessarily a large element Of
uncertainty remains as to the presi-
dents capacity for work under the
condition of invalidism which clearly
exists. Necessarily, too, the situation
has made possible every variety OF
story about the influences that deter
mine the course of administration.
The things already published as
certain are these: The president be-
came worn out and highly nervous on
his trip across the continent last sum-
mer. On the train on his way. home
he suffered a slight brain lesion--ln
ordinary language, slight stroke. He
was able to be up and about, however,
on his return to Washington. But ne
shortly suffered a more severe attack
that partly paralyzed his left side. 1t
did not interfere, so the doctors and
the few visitors who have seen him
saw. with the alertness of his mental
processes. There was temporary
setback in the fall, due to an enlarge
ment of the prostate gland, which 1t
was feared might necessitate an oper-
alton. But the swelling subsidized and
so far as known has given no more
| trouble.
Not Able to Walk Freely.
Since that time the president has
been gradually gaining strength, SO
that recently he has been able to pre-
side at cabinet meetings and to devote
some time each day to the routine
business of the office, which means
that he is able to sign commissions
which. under the law, must bear the
presidents signature.
So much seems fairly certain. But
the information available leaves mucn
| to conjecture. The medical statements
indicate that the president is able 10
walk about the house. Apparently,
however, his walking is by no means
free. Senators always see him IN
wheel chair, and it is regarded as sig
meant that an elevator is beng IN
stalled in the presidential yacht, the
Mavhower. In his recent motor rides
he has been able to sit on the front
seat beside the chauffeur. On one
ride, few days ago, the windshield
was down so that ne might get the
full force of the air. :,
A person weakened by severe III
ness having spent several weeks III
bed naturally has not the initiative
and energy of well man. The presl7
dency is the greatest executive of1lce
in the world. A severe selection must
be made of matters that go TO Mr.
Wilson. The duty of making this Sc
LECTION has been assumed primarily
nv Mrs, Wilson, with the assistance Oh
DR.. Cary Grayson, the presidents per-
sonal physician.
Wife a Good Nurse.
Throughout her husbands illness
Mrs. Wilson has been most devoted
attendant. A staff of nurses has been
on duty at the white house, but Mrs.
Wilson has not permitted them to re-
| lieve her of constant attendance on
the president. There have been pc
RODS when it has been impossible for
Secretary Tumulty to see his cher
and when all the presidents commu-
nication with the outside world has
been through Mrs. Wilson and DR..
Grayson.
This situation has led to endless
speculation in Washington as to the
attitude of Mrs. Wilson toward public
questions and toward the relative I'M
nortance of matters that must go to
the president for settlement. Natur-
ally. the person having the selection
of the things to be presented to the
head of the government might guide
to some extent the course of pubic
events.
Persons close to the white house,
however, do not regard Mrs. Wilson
as a woman of the political type.