Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-09-09
Presidents Wife
Improved Today
Continued from PAGE One

ethueu iEo" oHt
times TO almost agony she has shown
as her first concern the comfort and re-
pose of those about her.
The fact that she was resting easier
today. because some of the pressure had
been relieved during the night, was
taken MS good indication medically
to relieve the obstruction and might
continue TO contribute valuable aid 70
the surgeons during the next twenty
four or forty eight hours.
While a surgical operation Is gener
ally accounted a sure means of relief IN
such cases. other considerations fire.
quently make it inadvisable. in the
opinion of the surgeon. and whether II
Will be rcstOrted to for Mrs Harding
depends on the developments of the
next day and the determine tions of the
consulting surgeons when they assem-
bic.
Visitors Barred From House
For the first time since the Hardings
entered the White House the house was
barred today from the historic man
sion. The gates TO the grounds were
thrown open q few hours after Mr..
Harding was inaugurated, and from
that time. within reasonable hours.
tourists were permitted TO inspect most
Of the rooms on the lower floor. the
executive Offices an dother points of es-
pecial interest.
President Harding, who has made It
an invarinble custom to go immediately
after breakfast 10 the adjoining execu-
tive offices. remained in the White
House proper today in order to be close
to the sickbed. His engagement book
was kept clear today with the same
object in view.
President Harding remained at the
bedside until late hour last night,
after spending much OF the day there
yesterday. and it was said he would
forgo all official duties today unless
Mrs. Hardtng's condition took q de-
cided change for the better.
Secretary Christian stayed at the
White House until late hour last night
DR.. George T. Harding. of Columbus.
brother of President Harding. was on
his way here today in response to a
summons from the White House.
DR.. Carl w. Sawyer. Of Marion
son of Brigadicr General Sawyer, ar
rived for consultation yesterday. and
DR.. Joel T. Boone, naval medical off =
Ger on the yacht Maynower, also is
In attendance.
Critically Ill, Before
Secretary DENLY. Of the Navy De.
partment. returned TO Washington late
yesterday from the Orient. He called
at the White House Immediately upon
learning of the illness of Mrs. Hardin:
to inquire as to her condition and to
express his sympathy to the President
Since 1913. when Mrs. Harding un-
derwent Il surgical operation. she has
suffered from intermittent kidney at
tRcks, and on one occasion, about seven
years ago, shortly after she came TO
Washington with her husband. then
newly elected Senator from Ohio, she
lay critically il! for six weeks
Little alarm over her condition was
felt early in the week and she appar-
emily had so far recovered from the
cold which sent her to bed after her
return from the Maytiower trip that she
was up and about the White House for a
couple of days. The recurrence of the
kidney affection. however, forced her
back to bed, and DR.. Sawyer, who has
attended her during similar attacks.
became seriously concerned over her
condition late Wednesday.
Announcement of the grave aspect Of
her ailment, first made Thursday night,
was followed by decision Of DR.. Saw
yer TO issue bulletin on her condition
twice daily. Several minor appoint
ments made for President Harding were
Cancelled by White House attaches.
Few of the returning attacks have
been Of more than two or three days
duration. Mrs. Harding, because OF
her fighting spirit, has been able from
time to time to throw them off and re-
sumo her arduous duties, first as wife
of a Senator and then as che campaign
aide of her husband and more lately as
mistress of the White House. II il
that fighting spirit upon which her
physician DR.. Sawyer, is counting fol-
her recovery in the present INSTANCE.