The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-25

son, the Presidents physician
The Harding headquarters and Ad-
miral Grayson himself are silent on
the question and are likely to remain
so for the next few weeks, at least.
since the President-elect Is giving
the Florida fishes something to worry
about and Admiral Grsyson is con-
fined to his home with a severe cold.
DIR. Grsysons condition is not re-
garded as serious, though the cold
has been aggravated by an attack OF
pleurisy. He is being attended by
Capt. ]. Il. Dennis and Comdr Allen
ID. Mclean, naval surgeons, who re-
port that DIR. Grayson will be back on
duty in the White House within the
next week, His condition today was
much improved.
SERVES THREE PRESIDENTS.
When a man has served faithfully
and efficiently three different Presi-
dents in intimate personal and pro-
fessional capacities, and II is reflect
ed that the three Chief Executives
each had entirely different tempera-
ments, there is naturally very little
doubt regarding his diplomacy.
DIR. Grayson served Presidents
Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson, and to
each was not only a competent ply
stefan. but companion. He also
minitered to members OF their fam
lilies as well as to many other per-
sons in public life.
Now that President-elect Harding
Is soon to take the helm OF the Gov
eminent, there are those who are
wondering what will become of DR..
Grayson. He was medical director OF
the navy, with the rank OF rear ad-
miral, August 20. 1915. being Jump
ed" over 1877 officers in the medical
corps, but there was not the furore
that ordinarily would have been ex-
pected. His salary is $4,000 a year
MAKES NO COMMENT.
No hint has come from the Hard
ing headquarters regarding tho case
of DR.. Grayson and 30 far as Is
known, no candidates have been
urged for the position. DR.. Grayson
has consistently refrained from max
ing the slightest comment on the sit
uation and his close friends are
equally reticent. although the pos
sibility OF his retirement has been
discussed by partisans.
The career of DR.. Grayson has been
marked by most intimate friendship
of the past three Presidents. each of
whom has admired him for his con-
genial companionship as well as pro-
fessional skill. 1t has been I'M
selfish and conscientious service that
he has given through the long
stretch OF years, and no man In Of
ficiaIdom has more friends and fewer
enemies than the present White
House physician.
All credit for the remarkable re-
coyery of President Wilson from his
nervous and physical collapse Is given
to Dr. Grayson, whose interchangeable
service through the long siege has
been akin to a fidelity almost un-
known to his profession. Night and
day he was in attendance through
many months and only until recently
has he been able to JOHN his family
at 1000 Sixteenth street N. w. for any
length of time.
REJUVENATED WILSON.
When President Wilson began his
first Administration nearly eight
years ago, doubt was expressed by
DR.. Weir Mitchell, of Philadelphia as
to whether he would be physically
able to complete his first term un-
less the utmost care was exercised.
Mr.. Wilson had been man OF
sedentary habits, had undergone a
terrific campaign. and was in run
down" condition when he entered the
White House, but DR.. Grayson pre-
scribed a diet and exercises that
actually rejuvenated him.
Through subsequent years Dr. Gray
son devoted almost his exclusive at
tention to keeping the President mt
for the arduous duties that came to
him during the war and the subse-
auent peace conference, which taxed
his physical and mental strength so
severely. This was not an easy task,
because il Is no secret that Mr.. Will
son is not the most tractable person
under all conditions. However. he
has always yielded to the better judg-
ment of his physician and devoted
friend.
1t was during the Roosevelt Ad-
ministration that DR.. Grayson first at
tracted wide attention because of his
grit, affability, and promise as
physician. His first big Assignment
was to take Postmaster General
Payne to Florida, where the Cabinet
member recuperated from a nervous
collapse and afterward rewarded the
young physician with a fee of $1,000.
later leaving him the same amount by
the terms of his will as token of
appreciation.
LONG RIDES WITH ROOSEVELT.
Soon afterward DR.. Grayson leaped
to fame by riding horseback with
Colonel Roosevelt ia miles in a little
more than twenty-four hours, and on
subsequent occasion he rode
through sleet and snow 1O4 miles with