The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-03-05

a.
Mantle and Harding Friendly.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch To The Reformer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-Woodrow
Wilson's last hour as president of the
United States was curious coming
ling of sadness and attempted cheerful
ness. For moment the President APP
peared as the decrepit figure that he
has so often been pictured since his
physical collapse two years ago, and
then again as he sat at his desk and
signed bills with firm hand and
steady pen, his eyes burned with the
fire of the soldier who never surrenders.
To the last, Woodrow Wilson seemed to
be III fighting mood though everybody
who stood around him felt that his
feeble figure bnlied his attempts to APP
pear in his beiligerent spirit of old.
Slowly Mr.. Wilson wendell his way
along the. corridor Tor fifty feet from
the elevator just to tho right of the
senate chamber. As he proceeded
slowly, he leaned on his cane and was
unaided, His left shoulder was stopped
and his 1eft hand hung Imply at his
side. Is 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
OFerman, OF North Carolina. Democrat.
walked along beside MIR. Wilson and
asked him il he would 20 out to the
front OF the Capitol to witness the in
auguratiOn of Ar. Harding but in q
hollow voice Mr.. Wilson replied that he
feared he did not have strength enough
to do it.
Surrounded by members of his cabinet,
Democratic senators and military and
naval aides, Mr. Wilson entered the
president room there to be greeted by
Mr.; Harding. An aide helped take MIR
and the man who had driven through
the streets of Rome, Paris and London
hailed as the great peace maker of this
genratlon, sank Imply into his chair.
For moment, only, however, did he
seem nervous and i'll at ease. Gradually
ne recovered his composure. Warren
Harding stood over him, bending low
and almost pateTnally over the man
whose aTduous labOTs in the presiden-
tlal office had caused his physical if not
political overthrow. 1t was e'ident
that a kindly feeling existed between
the two men, intensified indeed by that
human quality which has made Warren
beloved By his colleagues. Mr..
Harding made il clear that if Mr. VIII
son did not feel strong enough to 20
out doors he would not regard il as 4
discourtesy and he urged Mr.. Wilson
not to do anything that would tax his
strength.
i guess | had better not try it," re
marked Mr.. Wilson. and Mr.. Harding
passed out to the Republican cloak
room, while the outgoing President
signed bills. The first measure placed
before him was a bill authorizing ad-
ditional expenditures for hospital ia
cilities to take care of disabled soldiers.
Every now and then the signing of bills
would be interrupted by a handshake for
some member of congress who had
stepped in the room to pay respects.
When General Pershing stepped for
ward, Woodrow Wilson smiled and eX-
tending his hand, said: Excuse me.
General, for not rising" Courteous to
the last, Mr.. Wilson had many kind
words OF greeting for his former asso-
ciates. Bainbridge Colby chatted with
him for a while and standing close at
hand as of old, was Postmaster General
setting. Josephus Daniels was there,
and Newton Baker and David f. Hous-
ton and Edward McTedith-all the cabi-
net an fact and Senators Underwood,
Robinson. Harrison, HcAin, Swanson
and Others who have been close to Mr..
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 administra-
ton when he came to the presidents
room. ..
We'll, / think I had better scoot
now" remarked Mr.. Wilson with q
laugh, but Just at that moment a com
mittee from both houses of congress ap-
peared before the room. Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge and former Speaker Joseph
y. Cannon, veteran Republicans, were in
the front row of the committee directly
facing Mr.. Wilson. Quickly there came
over the Wilson countenance that frigld
expression 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 receiving
that final communication from Mr..
Lodge.
This committet begs to inform you,
said Senator Lodge, that the two
houses have completed their work and
communications from youi
Woodrow Wilson's face flushed His
eyes were fixed upon the eyes of Sena-
tor Lodge. These two men stood face
to face i'm the final scene of what has
been perhaps the greatest of battles IN
American history over the ratification
of treaty. Clearly and seemingly with
the peremptory shirt of the past Mr..
Wilson said: II have no further com.
cunication-I would be glad if YOU
would inform both houses and thank
them for their courteSy-good morning,