Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-04-15
FRESH SERIES OF
RUMORS ABOU 7
PRESIDENT WILSON
II Is Gossiped That He Has Re-
ceived a Relapse-This, While
Probably Not True, Does Not
Deiraci from the Fact That
His Recovery Is Very Slow
nv DAVID LAWRENCE
DOWNRIGHT 1920 nv Free Press

Copyright 1920 by Free Press)
washington, April 12--President Wilson
isn't as much in evidence nowadays TO
pedestrians in the national capital as he
was "a fortnight ago and consequently a
fresh series of rumors has begun to go
the rounds. The automobile rides which
had become daily occurrence have been
discontinued This probably started gos-
sip tnew. but the story that Mr.. Wilson
! has suffered a relapse is given more cred
/ ence in Washington than perhaps is justi-
fled because the White House policy Of
authorizing vague and fragmentary de-
scriptions of the Presidents health coupl-
ed with an occasional statement from
some attending physician comp ete!y con-
firming rumors that were previously cur
rent has bred many skeptics.
Tho dis continuance of the automobile
rides Of ,ho President is explaine l in COR
Trajectory ways. One story emanating
from the White House is to the effect
that the President has lately been too
busy with public affairs to get his accus-
toned outing. On the other hand, 1t is a
fact that members of the cabinet are
wondering whether the President consid-
ers them necessary at all for no cabinet
meeting has been called in many months.
One or two cabinet members feel that they
ought to have the benefit of the advice
chief in these days of pressing govern
mental business.
Another story also given with a tlnge
of White House authority is to the effect
that the President was under too great n
nervous tension while motoring. People
IN the streets stared at him curiously
wondering II all the gossip they had heard
about his health were true. Unquestionably
those photographs of the President didn't
a. l. a.
bid curiosity. The first plan of having a
carefully posed picture of the President
would probably have been the wiser for
so many snapshots were taken that in
some cases the effect of Mr.. wilson's ILL
ness was grossly exaggerated.
The President did appear thin, but his
rountenance seemed to possess a ruddiness
of color due no doubt to the long after
moons of exposure in the White House
grounds.
If Mr.. Wilson has suffered a relapse,
however, there is nothing in the outward
behavior of White House officials that
gives the slightest confirmation of It.
Preparations are going forward for the
moving of the executive offices to Woods
Hole Mass, in the middle of next month.
1t is quite possible that there may De one
session of the cabinet before Mr.. Wilson
Foes away for the summer though 10 word
has gone forth to that effect There have
been reports current that the cabinet
members felt somewhat sighted by the
Presidents indifference. The other day in
cidentally Mrs. Wilson had all the wives
of the cabinet members to tea. 1t was the
FIRST social function of it's kind for many
months and no doubt had the effect of
preserving happiness In tho official fam
by.
! TIE slow recovery Of the Presiden. IS
fiscourdglng to his many friends who
had hoped the srring months would sec
him going about with his accustomed Wig
pr. His detachment from official Wash
fngton is much more pronounced than any,
pne dreamed would be the case. Not only
has the President failed to zee his own
cabinet, but several foreign ambassadors
accredited to the United States have also
becr waiting for months to gain an audi
kuce III Mr.. Wilson
The President is keerng his own coun-
c.,too. None Of MS cabinet Knows what
he intends doing about the pelce treaty
and it Is seriously double on Capitol IIl!l
| Eherher Senator Hitchcock knows Mr..
Wilson's plans. Tner, was a recurrence
ton during the Senate debate on Friday
bf the feeling that Mr. Wilson was unable
lc function as presia. ut because Of his
physical weakness. This insinuauo1 how
bvsr las so oftAn teen injected in tie
partisan warfare that 1t has heretofore
been oscountei and friends of the Pres
6ent Ike Senator's Avcrman AMI Williams
have openly charged the republicans witt,
klns y ing to ave the country that i'm
brcf sion. On tn. other hand, the failure
H the President to appoint railroad la
Dor board as provided under Legislation
bassed more than a month ago has given
koncrete excuse for the renewed argument
hat Mr. Wilson ought to delegate some
bf his authority. The White House ex-
blanation is that the President has had
difficulty getting men to serve on the la
Dor board Mr.. Wilson has had his trou-
bles continuously with appointments.
Nearly ten men declined to serve on the
federal trade commission when it was
hrst organized and the President had sew
bral declarations when the federal reserve
hoard was established.
I But the interesting and regrettable
ruth is that throughout Washington
kepticism about the stories of the Pres
hent's ultimate recovery seems to be OK
Ending even to friends who could not be
Inspected for a moment Of permitting the
kish to be parent to the thought is
hargej of opposing political folk. Per-
laps the White House will shortly issue
J clear statement about the Presidents
bndtion to refute the gossip and give an
ccurate statement of facts past and pres