Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-09-16
MRS. HARDING
STILL IMPROVING
Contemplated Operation Has
Been Deferred
PHYSICIANS ENCOURAGED
Optimism is Exhibited BY Personal
Friends---Prayers For Recovery
Offered In All Washington
Churches.

Improvement in the
condition OF Mrs. Harding. which be.
gan Sunday. continues. and the ply
s!cians in attendance deferred the OPP
GRAFTON which has been under consid.
Grafton.
An official bulletin issued shortly
afte. ~ o'clock said the wife OF the
President had spent less restless
night. that complications were sub
siding and that generally her condi-
ton which became critical late last
week. was improved II also an
nounced the decision to defer an OPP
Grafton The bulletin was supple
mented by statements made by visit
urs 10 the White House To Secretary
Wallace. who called shortly after
O'Clock. saying that Mrs Harding had
spent a fairly restful night. Secre-
tary Weeks. who called later said
he had been informed that the night
had been the best the patient had had
since her condition became alarming.
President Harding was reported TO
be greatly encouraged by the seem.
ing Improvement in his wile's condi.
ton.
An air of optimism pervaded the
White House. those in intimate touch
with the patient appearing to be in
better spirits over her condition than
at any time during the past three
days
Refreshed somewhat by nights
sleep the President continued to keep
in constant touch with his wife's
bedside and with the attending ply
sicians. The presence at the White
House of the entire consulting staff.
made complete by the arrival here OF
DR., Charles Mayo. specialist from
Rochester Mimi. seemed TO strength
en- the hope that Mrs Harding would
crisis.
An endless stream OF close friends
OF the President and Mrs. Harding
visited the White House during the
day. The President personally met
with most of them and was reported
to be bearing up well under strain.
Messages of sympathy all express
ing the hope that Mrs. Harding
would be restored to health continued
10 arrive. many of them from leaders
In Governmental and private affairs in
other countries.
BrigadierGeneral Sawyer. the fam
lily physician. was understood to have
informed some OF the Presidents
close friends that Mrs. Harding was
brighter and stronger. and there is
a chance this attack might clear up
as the previous attacks" The inn
preston gathered from DR. Sawyer,
these friends said. was that Ter
chances rather favored recovery"
The relief felt by the President at
the turn for the better was shown
shortly before neon when he left the
Executive Mansion for a walk about
the White House grounds II was
the first time that he had left the
Executive Mansion since last Friday,
except for brief visit Saturday to
his office adjoining the White House.
William e. Redheld, of New York.
Secretary of Commerce in the Cabinet
OF President Wilson. called at the
White House to express his hopes for
the recovery OF the patient and to ex-
tend his sympathy to the President;
Word was received in Washington
that a call had been sent out from
Boston by the United Society Of Chris
tian Endeavor on behalf OF its alumni
department urging that prayer he ol.
fered throughout the nation for the
recovery OF Mrs Harding
The President Is member OF the
alumni department of the Society.
representatives OF which here es,i-
mated that the call would be obeyed
by nearly 20,0O0.O00 Americans. Com
missioners OF the District of Columbia
also issued proclamation calling
upon the people Of Washington TO
join in prayer.
Prayer for the speedy recovery OF
Mrs Harding was offered in the House
by Rev shera Montgomery. the chap
lain. who asked Divine blessing and
strength for the President In his hour
OF sorrow.
Press not the cup OF death to their
lips" the chaplain prayed.