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

ury, but nevertheless those same sena-
tors voted with the Others in unani-
nous request that the information be
sent to the senate. This has puzzled
the administration and was one of the
things discussed in the final cabinet
meeting Of Tuesday. Presidest Wilson.
however, took the position that the ac-
ton of the senate judiciary committee
was clear and that if any disadvantage
to the good relations of the United
States resulted from the publication of
the data, the responsibility would rest
with these who make the Information
public, and that so far as the Wilson
administration was concerned it should
accede to the request of the senate as
expressed in tine resolution calling for
the data
Outside of a discussion of the foreign
loans, to which there was nothing new
To be added except TO send the data to
the senate. the cabinet talked of Tou
, tine matters at its final meeting. The
president made sure that every depart
ment secretary had concluded every
piece OF business which required eXecu-
tive sanction and the meeting came to
an end.
Then it was that Secretary Colby
made a brief speech on behalf of the
cabinet and Mr.. Wilson thanked the
cabinet for their service to him and
shook hands with each. Farewells of
this kind always have an element of
pathOs but 1T was unmistaEable that
the departure of Woodrow Wilson from
the cabinet meeting seemed to carry
with il more elements of tragedy and
defeat than Is customary with the out
going executive. This Is because Mr..
Wilson's health Is far from good and
because his decreuit physical condition
is the direct result of his overwork in
the service of the nation
Mr. Wilson has exchanged letters with
- L 1 L.
ting closer together. Mr.. Wilson is
very anxious To do the courteous thing
in every way on Friday and To be pres
ent throughout the ceremonies but Il
begins 10 be apparent that Mr.. Wilson's
physical condition maE not sermrt It,.
Mfr, Harding Thoroughly understands
1ae sitnatioa s98 NJ, not gon = s, {
ent when the -Oa%L4pf office is admins
tered The truth i that Mr. Wilson
win be able to, 9t 10 the senate cham
Der hut ia is doubtful whether he can
stand the added walk, from the senate
chamber to the capitol steps, distance
of only a hundred feet, but since II IN
wolves going up stairs the fear IS that
Mr.. Wilson viii. be unable to accompany
Mr. Harding from the senate chamber
to the inauguration stand Mr. Viii
but he refuses to be, transported that
way. and his intimates say he il par
ticularlv sensitive about being subjected
to rublic scrutiny because of his en-
feebled condition.
As the Wilson administration draws
10 a close. it l. gradually becomin
known that many of the embarrassin
delays and irritations which have re
suited from Mr. Wilson's inability TO
see callers. are largely the result of his
in-health and Republicans who are COM
ing to know the facts, no longer slis-
pect Mr.. Wilson of avoidance of the
customary ceremonies and courtesles
due a president elect by his predecessor
The presidents desire to withdraw
from the picture on Inauguration day
and leave the stage to Mr.. Harding Is
so we'll defined, moreover, that when
several Democrats in the senate asked
whether they could pay their respects
on Friday afternoon at Mr. Wilson
new home. he hesitated for fear he
might be thought to be introducing q
PARTISAN or rival element in. the days
festivities Remarking that he guessed
he would be lonesome Friday after
noon,' he acceded to the suggestion,
however. and as q consequence the VII
sons will receive those officials who
want TO pay their respects to the retir-
ing chief executive.