Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-31
Wife's Pleaidngs Win
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dition where the hardships of the
road might prove disastrous, result
ing possibly in a recurrence of the
illness from which she recently had
suffered.
The journey across the continent
was completed. Mrs. Harding sailed
from Tacoma the merriest and most
VlVacious member of the Presidents
party, and 1t was not until she
reached Fairbanks, Alaska, almost
within the Arctic circle. that she
as affected by the ,igors of travel
and strenuous life slong the north
.crn trails. Those W.T." had worried
about her condition from the time
the western journey commenced
feared she had overtaxed her
strength. Two days Of rest, however.
dissipAtsd the fatigue and soon Mrs.
Harding had regained her strength
and again went cheerfully onward,
receiving visitors and taking the frst
lady's role in q vigorous way where
ever teh chief executive stopped.
Today the woman who was ex-
pectsd to be cursed has become the
nurse. Her husband has bean
stricken by ulnesA Five physicians
haye been called to his 6edsids in
the hotel here In serious eonsuIta-
ton. Hrs. Harding has eheerfully
assuc ed the burdens Of the sickroom,
still smiling in the faeo Of adverse
fortune. displaying n courage that
has won fol her kLs admiration Of
every member 1t tbe Presidential
party and In addition, lending IN o.
fective hand In the business Sfdce
where secretaries ~. clerks labor
With tue work of enn.slling arrange.
meuts made in udvs nee acknowledg-
ing hundreds If messages Of solicit
tids and responding 20 continuous
telephone calls from anxious friends
everywhere In the country.
1t was revealed today that 1t was
Mrs. Harding wbo finally persuaded
the President to give up hopes Of
continuing his journey as 1t vas sri-
ginally planned. Pleadinss on the
part Of others IT che chief executives
personal party. including the admonl-
tons Ut Brigadier General Sawyer.
the Presidents physician and friends.
IT vas learned. had failed to convince
him that he raust surrender TO sick
ness the pleasures 81 meeting the
people along the line Of travel and
must let tbero know ef his ailments.
Spokesman Of the party said the
president ancuesttonably would have
proceeded further with the trip than
San Francisco. fulfilling speaking
engagements and attending himself
he did III Sea tile, Wash. had it not
been for Mrs. Harding's stand-pat
opposition. She. too, was anxious to
continue the program and, with the
president, was reluctant to disap-
point the thousands OF people who
had Travelled far from their homes
to cities where the president was
scheduled to appear.
1t was Mrs. Harding's argument
that 1t would BIS better for the chief
executive to halt in San Francisco.
cancel the advance itinerary and an
| nounce to the public the true facts.
than 1t would be to continue the
journey and risk the consequences OF
continued travels under the prevail
ing circumstances. The logic of this
plea caused the president to yield
| to that course but only after he had
steadily refused in talks with Doctor
| Sawyer and Secretary Work. also a
physician, to permit the announce
ment to be made that the program
| was to be cancelled.
During the time these discussions
were in progress. from Saturday to
sunday morning, Iloue vi lHS " CO.
dents patty suspected his illness
would be complicated or become
more serious 1t was generally be-
lieved that the slight attack or
ptomaine poisoning would b. over
come by a day or two Of rest IN San
Francisco and the president would
he recovered sufficiently by Tuesday
to go through with the arrangements
in San Francisco that day and We'd
nesday and continue them - Los
| Angeles, San Diego and Home by
way of Panama and Porto Rico.
Developments during the frst day
in San Francisco. however, made
this plan impossible OF execution.
The president failed to respond to
the physicians treatment In the
manner that had been expected. Con-
try to the expectations Of everyone
In the party, new complications arose
and it was said that Mr.. Harding
in conference with Doctor Sawyer
Secretary George Christian and Doc
tor Work, finally with the president
assent. caused the publication OF the
statement cancelling the entire pro-
gram and leaving the future to be
! determined by the progress the
nresidcnt makes in his fight for re-
| aor,od health and strength.