Evening star., 1923-08-11
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM HJIE

Few men In public life have un-
dergone the personal sorrows that
have befallen Harry NJ. Daugherty
within the past year. They began
with his nervous breakdown, follow
ing threatened impeachment pro-
ceedirgs in Congress. Then came the
distress incident to the escapades of
his son. In June the Attorney Cen
eral suffered the loss. under tragic
circumstances, of his boon companion.
Jess Smith. who committed suicide
in Daugherty's own apartments. Two
months later President Harding died,
robbing the Attorney General of his
closest and dearest friend. To cap 1t
all. Mrs. Datghetry is d chronic in
valid. 1t would be more than human
dent cared. amid such torrent of
travail, to continue to carry the bur-
dens of public office. DauGherty is
In his fourth year. Few of his
contemporaries have had more siren
uous, not to say stormy career.
X X
The Coolidge boys, John and CAL
vim jr.. are preparing for college at
Mercersburg Academy in Pennsyl-
vania. At first, their parents plan
ned to send them to prep" some
where in their native New England,
whose landscape is thickly dotted
with boys schools, but Mercersburg
was chosen because of its proximity
to Washington. The academy nestles
prettily in the Cumberland valley not
far from the battlefield of Gettys-
burg. The headmaster is a famous
~ t., T.
vine, known as big BIZ when he
used to tear through the Yale line in
the late eighties as member OF a
champion Tiger eleven. President
and Mrs. Coolidge have been accus-
toned to motor to Mercersburg peri
odicaiiN to visit Their s,d boys tSe coras1
stone Of the schools magnificent
new library and assembly hall.
Frank o. Lowden. former Governor
of Illinois, was among the weeks
throng of interesting visitors brought
to Washington by Mr.. Harding's
death. Efforts to draw" him on his
political intentions were futile, but
his friends insist he will be a recep-
tive candidate for the republican
presidential nomination when 1924
rolls around. Lowden sentiment is
still strong throughout the middle
west. 1t can easily be mobilized for
campaign purposes. Mr.. Lowden has
been living the life. of a gentleman
dirt-farmer at Oregon. Ill, for the
years old. but is in the pink of physi-
cal vigor. thanks to restful outdoor
life. Lowden is spending the summer
on his island in the ST. Lawrence
river, at Alexandria Bay. N. Y.
Somebody. who must have been
cynic, once observed that every time
a United States senator peers into a
mirror he sees future President of
the United States. Which recalls
that at least three republican men,
bers of the Senate, hitherto not gen
orally mentioned in connection with
1924, now are ready to hurl their
headgear into the arena. The trio
embraces James w. Wadsworth, jr.,
OF New York. George Wharton Pep
per of Pennsylvania and Walter E.
Edge of New Jersey. Each is said
delegation, although Pepper might
find himself faced by contest with
Gov. Clifford Pinchot.
X X
Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson is
telling with gusto of the retort .un-
ambiguous given by a friend and
brother Virginia medic. recently hailed
before the county Judge for speeding.
The doctor admitted he had stepped
on the gas to race to the bedside of a
patient reported to be dying. II
thought / had a right to hit it up
under those circumstances" he told
the judge. WELL" said the judge.
"I'll have to fine you $40 for speed
IN Rai0tped the doctor. "A11 RIGHT