Evening star., 1921-09-27
WOODROW WILSON
LIVES ROUTINE LIFE
Ex-President Enjoying Better
Health on Second Anniver-
sary of His Illness.

1t has been two years to the day since
Woodrow Wilson. then President. re-
turning from a speaking tour made in
the interest Of the league Of nations.
was pronounced Every sick man."
The American public has been made
well acquainted with what took place
since that time, and March last. when
he left the White House. But his life
as private citizen, how he spends his
days at the s street home, has received
little publicity.
Mr.. Wilson has put into his retired
life the same system which character
lied his daily routine at the White
House. He is an advocate OF the eight
hour day. and the twenty-four hours
are divided into three equal periods for
work, sleep and recreation.
Able to Shave Himself.
He rises at o'clock in the morning
and his health now permits him to
battle and shave himself. After Gales
thenic exercises. he breakfasts In Mrs.
Wilson's boudoir and reads carefully
seven or eight morning papers delivered
ing's work, which, consists partly in
opening and answering a large assort-
ment of mail of varying content. Let
ters come from old friends wishing him
others from political friends who talk
Of the shortcomings Of the present ad-
ministration; others who suffer what
they think is similar to Mr.. Wilson's
illness. and from others who. feeling the
pinch of want, ask for financial as
sistance. The answers are either die
tated by MIR. Wilson to a stenographer
and signed by him or else turned over
to a secretary.
Wife Constant Companion.
MFR. Wilson's constant companion
and helpmate is his wife. After the
morning mail, with which she assists
him. the two lunch together in the
hour or so, and Mr.. Wilson is ready
for his daily drive in the used car
he bought from the dealer who sup
plies the White House with the official
automobiles. Washingtonians have
become accustomed to the sight of
Mr.. Wilson, with his wife. on these
daily rides. They usually take him
along the same route. He prefers the
old paths to seeking out new ones,
and along the roads are many friends
who look for his appearance daily.
Dinner is an informal affair at the
Wilson house. Sometimes there are
guests, always old friends or .asso-
ctates. Mr.. Wilson has left off the
custom followed when President. that
Of dressing for dinner. But he still
2oIo"S the CuSLOHl Taught HlTl 1TOHl
childhood--and which he has never
left off-saying grace before the meal
proceeds. His table bears witness to
his friends. Game. fish. vegetables. all
of them the prime of their species.
are sent him by many from all parts
of the country.
Sees Movie Once a Week.
After dinner there comes reading.
study or amusement of some other
a
moving picture show of his own, and
he frequently attends vaudeville
show in one Of the local theaters. At
home. though, the evenings are SIM
gether. sometimes the former Presi
dent and sometimes his wife holding
the book. detective story or other
light reading.
Mr.. Wilson retires early, not to sleep.
but to read and write. Propped up
on pillows, he does much writing-and
he reads and makes notes in short
hand.
Reads Bible Every Night.
However the evenings are spent.
one thing the former President never
neglects. Before saying good night
he takes the Bible. which rests on a
little stand by his bed. and reads
few verses It is his invariable Gus
tom.
Mr.. Wilson is now nearly sixty-five
years old. He weights, around nor
NAL, 1S0 pounds. His hair is snow
white. but not thinned. His eyesight
is unimpaired. His appetite is robust.
He is able, without assistance, to
climb a few steps and to get into his
automobile-somethi he was un-
able to accomplish last March. Care
full saving and the revenues from his
books have given Mr.. Wilson a COM
Portable. though modest, fortune.
He lives simply. but many believe
very happily. in his own home. with
its three servants and a used car"
Taking No Part in Treaty Fight.
Mr.. Wilson is not trying to manage
the affairs of the democratic party.
He isn't taking a hand in the treaty
fight at all. He is said to have re-
marked to friend that he intended
to show the republicans "how an ex-
President could behave" He meant
1t. of course. in contrast to the way
former President Roosevelt used to
torment democratic President with
bitter attacks in the newspapers. Mr.
Wilson lives in Washington, but isn't
doing or saying thing that could
possibly offend the present occupant
of the White House. He has literally
taken himself out of public life. and
probably will always remain in the
same seclusion, leaving to future gem
erations a record of his work to be
judged in years free from the pas
sionate partisanship Of the era in
which he lived,