Evening star., 1921-03-04
PRESIDENTS FINAL,
DAY IS DRAMATIC
Mr.. Wilson SteeIs Himself to
Conclude All His Presi.
dental Duties.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
woodrow Wilson's last hour as
President of the United States was a
curious comingling of sadness and
attempted cheerfulness For a mo-
ment the President appeared as the
decrepit figure that he has SO often
been pictured since his physical col
iapse two years ago, and then again.
as he sat at his desk and signed
bills with a firm hand and a steady
pen, his eyes burned with the fire OF
the soldier who never surrenders.
To the last Woodrow Wilson seem
ed to b. IA a fighting mood. though
everybody who stood around him felt
that his feeble figure belied his at
tempts to appear in his belligerent
spirit of old
President Walks Unaided-
Slowly Mr.. Wilson wended his way
along the corridor for fifty feet from
tho elevator just to the right of the
Senate chamber AZ he proceeded slow
ly, he leaned on hts cane and was un-
aided. His left shoulder was stopped
and his left hand hung Imply at his
side. As former Mayor Honey" Fitz-
gerald of Boston extended his hand to
greet the President. Mr.. Wilson quickly
hung the hook of his cane in the upper
pocket of his overCoat, and standing for
a moment smiled his greetings.
Senator Orerman of North Carolina.
democrat, walked along beside Mr.. Will
son and asked him if he would go out
to the front of the Capitol 70 witness
the inauguration of Mr.. Harding. but
in a hollow voice Mr.. Wilson replied
that he feared he did not have strength
enough to do il.
Surrounded by members of his cabi-
net. democratic senators and military
and naval aids. Mr.. Wilson entered the
Presidents room, there to he greeted
by Mr. Harding. An aid helped take
Mr. Wilson'S overcoat from his shoul-
ders, and the man who had driven
through the streets of Rome, Paris and
London. hailed the great peace
maker of this generation. sank Imply
into his chair. For a moment only,
however, did he seem nervous and i'll
at ease. Gradually he recovered his
composure.
kindly Feeling Evident.
Warren Harding stood over him.
bending low and almost paternally over
the man whose arduous labors in the
presidential office had caused his
physical. If not political. overthrow. 1t
was evident that kindly feeling ex-
listed between the two men. intensified
indeed by that human quality which
has made Warren Harding beloved by
his collea CUES.
Mr. Harding made it clear that if
Mr.. Wilson did not feel strong enough
to go outdoors he would not regard
! it a diScourteSy, and he urged Mr..
Wilson not to do anything that would
tax his strength.
Il guess l had better not try it," re-
marked MIR. Wilson. and Mr.. Harding
passed out to the republican cloak
room, while the outgoing President
signed bills. The first measure placed
before him was bill authorizing ad-
ditional expenditures for hospital ia
cilities to take care of disabled SOL
diers Every now and then the sign
ing of bills would be interrupted by
handshake for some member of Con-
gress who had stepped into the room 10
pay respects. When Gen. Pershing
stepped forward Woodrow Wilson
smiled, and, extending his hand. said:
Excuse me, general, for not rising
Courteous to the last. Mr.. Wilson
had many kind words Of greeting for
his former associates. Bainbrldge
Colby chatted with him for a while
and standing close at hand as of old
was Postmaster General Burleson-
Truly Democratic setting.
1t was truly democratic setting.
JoSephuS Daniels was there and New
ton Baker and David f. Houston and
Edwin Meredith-all the cabinet in
fact-and Senators Underwood, Robin
son. Harrison. Hefiin. Swanson and
others, who have been close to MIR.
Wilson. Each one was called by name
and, really, as Mr.. Wilson sat at his
desk, those who have known the man
for years felt that he looked just as
healthy and acted just as naturally
as in the earlier years Of his admins
tration when he came to the Presi-
dents room.
Well, l think / had better scoot,
now" remarked Mr.. Wilson, with a
laugh, but just at that moment a
committee from both houses of Con-
gress appeared in the room Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge and former Speak
er Joseph Cannon. veteran republic
cans, were in the front row of the
committee directly facing Mr.. Will
son. Quickly there came over the
Wilson countenance that frigid ex-
preston which has on more than one
occasion been employed by him to ex-
press his displeasure. 1t was evident
that Mr.. Wilson was trying hard to
fight back something inside of him
that rebelled at the necessity OF re-
ceiving that final communication from
Mr.. Lodge.
This committee begs to inform
you" said Senator Lodge. that the
two houses have completed their work
and are prepared to receive any fur
ther communications from you.
Woodrow Wilson's face flushed. His
eyes were fixed upon the eyes of Sena-
tor Lodge. These two men stood face
to- face in the final scene of what has
been perhaps the greatest of battles
in American history over the ratifica-
ton of a treaty. Clearly and seem
inely with a peremptory spirit of the
past, Mr.. Wilson said:
Last Message to Congress.
81 have no further communication.
I would be glad if you would inform
both houses and thank them for their
morning. sir.
II was that final Good morning,
sir" which seemed to cut the air
with it's finality and coldness. Moth
ing more formal could have been
spoken. Nothing more fittingly rep
resented the inward emotions of the
outgoing President as he performed
his last formal act as President of
the United States. He turned quick
ly in his swivel chair willing hands
helped him with his coat. Warren
Harding again came forward to wish
MIR. Wilson good health. Mrs. Wilson
with characteristic graciousness told
Mr. Harding she wished him ''all the
luck in the world" and gradually
the picture faded.
I'm afraid. Mr.. President. I shall
have to beg off," was Mr.. Wilson'S final
remark to Mr.. Harding. who told him
he thoroughly understood.
Then it was that MIR. Wilson, with
halting step and downcast head his
left shoulder stopped, but his eyes
turned upward. eneavoring to smile.
trying to the end to exhibit fighting
spirit and an attitude of no surrender.
passed out of official life into the sun
shine of the Capitol grounds. there to
be motored to the privacy of his new
Ii,