Evening journal., 1921-08-31
FAMILY OF IS
Wins HARDING
President Touched by Moth
er's Story in Answer to
His Congratulations
HUSBAND WILL
GET BETTER JOB

WASHINGTON, Aug. s1.-Presi-
dent Harding has stepped to the
front in behalf Of the father OF
nineteen children-sixteen OF them
living-who is working as a porter
in a New York department store at
twenty dollars a week.
In sending his congratulations TO
the mother. Mrs. Domenico Zacca-
hea. OF New York City. whose
family group picture recently was
printed in a newspaper. the Presi-
dent recalled his own home to tell
how his mother. who had brought
up eight children. had expressed the
hope prior to her death that she
might have been the mother of eight
more.
After Mrs. Zaccahea had replied
to the President. telling OF the great
burden on the father in feeding and
clothing his big family. Mr.. Harding
wrote John Wanamaker, the mer-
chant asking II something could
not be done for him. and Mr.. Wan
amaker promised 10 help.
The Presidents letter to the
mother follows:
MY Dear Mrs. Zaccahea:
I noticed in the photogravure sec
ton Of one OF the Sunday papers a
picture OF yourself. your husband and
your very remarkable family Of six
teen children. / cannot resist ex-
pressing my very cordial congratula-
tions. Perhaps I am moved to do 50
because Of a little incident in my
own life. Ny mother bore eight
children and raised six OF them "a
maturity. One afternoon. shortly
before her death. we we're all at my
home holding a family reunion and
she spoke Of having borne eight
children and said, with an affection
most appealing to me, that she had
been happy TO bear eight children
and II she had her life 10 live over
she would have no desire 20 chang
IL except to bear eight more.
thought Il was a beautiful thing for
her to say and the recollection OF Il
inspired meeto write my very cordia
congratulations TO you and add
thereto my best wishes.
Very Truly Yours,
swARREN G. HARDING"
IN her reply Mrs. zaccahea said:
MY Dear President:
with my most grateful pleasure
I have the honor 10 acknowledge re
ceipt OF your excellency's letter con
graduating me for my remarkable
family.
L wish TO be excused for the de
lay in acknowledging receipt.
Il was very much delighted a
the news that you come from a larg'
family and your mother was prou'
OF having given birth to eight chill
dren and raised six 10 maturity.
Il gave birth to nineteen chill
dren, sixteen Of whom are alive, a
their photograph is herein enclosed
and I send Il to you as most prec
ious possession.
my husband and I are never dis
couraged Of the great task before ui
as the older ones help 10 support tn
younger, but one thing 1 regret bu
that my husbands earning capacit
is only $50 per week by John Wana
maker, ct this city.
May I ask of your excellency'
recommendation for a better posi-
ton to my husband where his earn
ing capacity will be larger than hi
present one. so that will give US al
opportunity to bring the younge
children to maturity with a bette
education2
with deep appreciation OF you
kind interest, I am
Most respectfully. yours
Mrs. Domenico zaccahea."
In writing Mr.. Wanamaker, tn
President, inclosing a copy OF Mr..
zaccahea's appeal, said he hoped
might be possible to find a way 20
helping this somewhat notable fam
ily," although he explained that h
knew nothing whatever OF the mer
its OF the particular case.
Mr.. Wanamaker replied that Zac
cahea spoke very little English. tina
he had been employed two years an
was earning two dollars a wee
more than others doing similar worl
He promised, however, to advsnc
him, II that could be done. and ais
to find a job for one of the sixtee
children, a son, 22 years old, dc
scribed "as tall and strong as HI
father"