The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-04-17

Keeping Silent to Avoid Embarrassing
Present President Great Factional-
ism in Democratic Party but Wilson
Not Likely to Interfere.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch to The Reformer.)
Copyright 1922.
WASHINGTON, April IL. - Former
President Woodrow Wilson is in bet
ter health today than at any time since
his breakdown in September, 1919. He
is able to walk around his home, for in
stance. without the assistance of cane
or the support of a companion. His
voice is clear. He does more work every
day
This constant Improvement has sur
prised physicians. Not long ago DIR.
Charles Mayo of Rochester, Mimi, Wis
tied Mr. Wilson and pronounced his
condition as remarkable. He attributed
the restoration almost entirely to Mr.
Wilson's indomitable will. Mr. Wilson
has obeyed physicians Instructions im-
plicitly, and has not attempted TO en-
gage IN public controversy or debate.
The temptation to do so has at times
been overwhelming He hasn't written
any books for publication as yet nor has
he accepted any of the numerous oppor-
tunities offered him to write for news
papers on current events.
He conceives the duty of an expires
ident is to keep silent. He has stead
tasty refused to do anything that might
embarass the incumbent president. In
this course Mr.. Wilson is said to feel a
certain sense of self-satisfaction for he
believes his example is in contrast to
the activity of ex-presidentS during his
own term as. president.
Tumulty Break Discussed.
Mr.. Wilson lives a quiet life and
only occasionally is visible to Washing
ton people. lie rides in his automobile
around the parks almost daily. He has
been attending vaudeville Saturday
nights and lately has been taking in the
matinees He received a remarkable
ovation last Wednesday When he at
tended matinee of Ziegfeld Follies.
Attention has been focused again on
the question of Mr.. Wilson's health be,
cause he has seen fit 10 take issue pub
licly with his former secretary, Joseph
| p. Tumulty. The incident is still the
sensation of the hour with all sorts OF
explanations being offered in political
circles as to the cause of the Wilson let,
| ter to a New York newspaper repudi-
ating the message conveyed by Mr. Tu-
multy to political dinner at which
/ 1Ormer tTbNffuOE Lux OF OAlO lndut Ink
| principal address. 1885,.
The feeling between the McAdoo and
| Cox factions of the Democratic party is
| very intense and it is generally believed
/ hereabouts that the MeAdoo wing of the
4 party 1asl@hcen fnfiueptiafN IN .persuading
| AFR. Wilson TO repudiate the Tumulty
message. Many of the McAdOo follow
Iers have felt that Mr.. Tumulty might
| have assisted them materially by taking
sides in the pre-convention fight which
! eliminated in the nomination Of Coy
| eFnor Cox in 1920.
Democrats Despair of Harmony.
The factionalism in the Democratic
| party is so intense that many Demo
Gratis of national prominence have DIES
paired of harmony. Mr.. CoX's speeches
| have been so obviously in support OF tn
major Wilson policies, especially tn
| League of nations. that Mr.. Wilson can
not take sides against him no matter
| how, friendly he might wish TO be to TIT
| other factions. As for the McAdoo sup
| porterS. there is no evidence to show
| that they are receiving any direct en-
| couragement from Mr.. Wilson. There
| is on the contrary every reason to belley'
| that for the present, at least, Mr.. WI
son is trying to keep hands off and 4
anxious to have the Democrats of th'
| country know he is maintaining absolute
/ neutrality. This may be one reason
/ why he was irritated over the use made
| of the Tumulty message by some OF
/ those who interpreted it as friendly to
! the political fortunes of James NJ. Cox
Mr.. Wilson is getting better physically
| but it is doubtful whether he Will ever
oct info fhe nolitfcaI fray again.