The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-10-06
THE RECREATIoNS OF PRESIDENT
HARDING

Some small bore newspapers ana POI
ticians have been criticiZing Preslden
Harding for his alleged habit OF spend
ING too much time in recreation. Hi
weekend motor trips, his short iaunt
seward on the presidential yacht, nj
visits to the golf links are made the tar
gets of criticism bv those who pretent
to believe that the President of the Uni
ted States has no right to knock off work
and play bit occasionally.
But the people of the country gener.
ally are pleased that the President has
the good sense to keep himself up to con
cert pitch physically and mentally by do.
ing the things necessary to that end. The
wear and tear of the Presidency has
shortened the life of everyman who has
held the office. President Hardings i'm
mediate predecessor is physical wreck,
whose usefulness was greatly impaired
by a breakdown which came at the most
important period of his administration.
Great as were the responsibilities and
the demands of the Presidency upon the
mental and physical resources of the in
cumbent twenty wears ago, TODAY they
are vastly increased. No human being
could stand up under the strain of the of
flee, which never can be completely
thrown eff, without frequent change of
scene and occupation. When the Presi-
dent is renewing his vitality by drive,
a game of golf,a walk or cruise. he is
serving, the people as faithfully as when
he is at his desk giving attention to the
routine Of the days work.
The White House never had more
laborious President than Mr.. Cleveland.
His fame as fisherman is well remem-
bered; he even went fishing once, it will
be recalled, on Decoration Day. President
Harrison was another ardent fisherman
and duck hunter; he left the White House
too, to travel over the country by spe-
cial train. President Mckinley was not so
much Of an outdoor man, but he made
frequent use of the Mayflower, travelled
much on special trains, and spent many
hours walking beneath the trees on the
White House grounds, or smoking in the
evening hours on the south portico of the
executive mansion. President Roosevelt
had his tennis court, spent many hours
sparing with a professional boxer. rode
horse back often in Rock Creek Park,
hunted bears i'll the cane brakes of Mis-
sissippi and was given to swinging
around the circle He worked hard and
played hard. President Taft became fam
Gus as golf player and took many ex-
tended vacations President Wilson
snent mach time playing golf and motor
ing, and was absent from Washington
~ extended periods during the heated
season. 1t is evident that if he had spent
more time in the open air and less in his
study he might not have gone out of the
White House i'll a state of physical col.
Inns.
he country does not want to witness,
again the spectacle of a President phvsi.
cally and mentally stricken. with cabi.
net trying to take over the business OF
government and the American people IN
doubt as to the ability of their chief exc.
cltlve to give personal attention to pub.
he business. They not only do not be.
gIudee President Harding his playtime
periods, but they hope he will take more
OF them. He has remained in Washing.
ton through summer of unprecedented
heat, taking his vacation in small doses
from time to time. That he has kent
himself in good physical trim in the face
of the trying conditions Of his Pregidep.