New-York tribune., 1920-06-18

trellscd arbor abutting the forma
garden riotous in splashes of rcdolen
magnolias. hydrangeas. Duchess de Bra
bant roses, Japanese cherry trees an,
clinging clusters of Dorothy Perkin
and Caroline Testout tree roses Nh
Hoover, the major domo Of the Whit,
House, escorted me through the spaci
ous corridors of the nearest approach
10 an official palace we have in America
President on South Balcony
found the President and Mrs. Will
son on the south balcony, which tut.
in Semi-circle out from the mansion
ls thirty feet deep, fifty in width ant
looks out over an impressive stretch
OF velvety green lawn hedged in with
magnolias Japanese ounce. spruce
pines, majestic naples and squat dog
wood.
still retain the impression that m,
eyes hurriedly swept the Tranquil
landscape recalling charming vistas O
perfectly plotted estates in English
Kent and picturesque chateaux in Nor
mandy. and came to rest on the twt
hgures sihouted at the edge Of tht
balcony against it,
ms was Mrs. Wilson. first lady OF
the land. gentle in mien, charming ir
pose ana smiling cordial welcome
ne other figure was that of the Presi.
dent, seated in an Office chair. Mrs
" lIson was standing with her left
hand on the back of this chair and he,
right hand arranging some document
IN square desk basket
Mrs. Wilson Dressed in White
Like most men | am not very strong
st describlng the costumes of women
nut feel reasonably safe in appcasinp
the curiosity of the women read.
ors by saying that Mrs. Wilson's
irocN was Of white figured fou-
lard, and that she wore no Jewels save
her wedding ring. After paying my re-
spects TO the smiling chatelaine Of the
'" hlte House. | turned to the Presi-
dent' He extended his right hand and
gave me hearty grip, as he sad
- Se1oold, | am very glad to see you.
1T was nice OF you to come and visit
with me; Sit down for a minute or
two while | dispose of these things.
and then we will have visit with the
country DR.. Grayson here, and Mrs.
ilson think I should not roam around
yet. and of course I have to obey their
orders.'
The Preside then excused himself
and turned TO the consideration of
some official business that awaited his
attention. While he was engaged in
this task had a very good opportunity
to study him at close range and to
make mental note of his system Of
working. The latter primarily engage d
my attention for the reason that The
task before him seemed to REQUIRE
complete concentration and absorption.
Mrs. Wilson took from basket
documents requiring the Preside--1.-
attention. MI. Tumulty drew up a
char TO the office table before which
the President sat and provided ex-
plantations of the documents and cir
cumstances Of the subject matter when
asked to do so.
Admiral Grayson excused himself to
attend to some professional business
elsewhere At times Mrs Wilson read
to the President from the paper in her
hand or gave the document to him He
scrutlnzed it closely. asked question
or two regarding it of Mr.. Tumulty.
and then proceeded 20 dispose of the
matter with the same studied delber-
atlon that has always characterized his
official methods
meHt be sent back for further or clear
CT explanation. When he had reached
the decision he returned to Charles
Sven. the confidential stonographer.
standing with note book in hand be-
tween the President and MIR. Tumultv.
the President dictated rapidly his con
clusions. or orders. and there was no
suggestion of ndecision in doing so.
Later on when the President had
dictated more than twenty letters.
ranging in volume from three lines 10
four or FIVE hundred words, he turned
his attention 10 the disposition of
documents that had already been re
duced to typowriting and affixed his
signature.
Writes Without Difficulty
Al distance OF six feet | could see
that the President wrote firmly and
without difficulty, and left on the
document before him the same copper
plate signature that can be found on
more official Instruments probably
living to-day. He affixed his sigma
turc with metlculous care and without
thc slightest trace of embarrassment
Once in while the President collected d
laugh out OF the documents that
passed in reviep,-Mr. Tumlty to Mrs
Wilson. Mrs. Wilson to the President
There was one telegram that caused
the President TO knit his brows. purse
his lips. and then calculate: II wonder
what he wants.
The telegram was from gentleman
In the West who requested the Presi-
dent to give him some advice concern
ing matter upon which the President
had no information.
81 wonder what he wants, Tumulty." :"
said the President. "I mean, wond er
wha, kind Of advice he wants. Here
is something about which he probably
knows everything there is to know, but
/ regarding which am absolutely in the
dark. Perhaps you had better wire
hlm and ask him TO supulate exactly
what kind of advice he wants. l have
several kinds"
Sitting as was. six feet away from
the President, I recalled some Of the
stories | had read in the newspapers
regarding his physical condition or
had heard repeated by gossips Of both
sexes in various parts OF the country.
My last preceding conversation with
| the President was on September 2T
IN southeastern Colorado.
That was the day before Mrs. Wilson
and DR.. Grayson induced the Presi-
dent TO abandon the tour he had under
taken TO report" TO the people Of the
United States on his work as the hea d
Of the American delegation to the
Paris peace conference. It was appar-
ent to every person who accompanied
the President on that tour that lie had
drawn too heavily on his balance in the
bank of nature and was not far from
~ 60.