The Washington times., 1923-08-03

and who stood around until the
extras came out and fatty said
that Harding was dead.
Outside of all such scenes, hur-
riedly staged in front Of newspa per
offices, this town was replete with
human interest stuff" after the
President died. Take incidents like
these:
BY one Of the strange freaks Of
tragic circumstance as the White
House telegraph operator opened
up his wire the night the President
died, there licked in for a minute
or so a message which began:
Story From Wires.
1.-THE President today had the
most satisfactory day since his
illness began" 1t was dated only
an hour or two before the end.
A moment later this wire opened
at night to get bulletins from San
Francisco after Rudolph Forster,
Assistant Secretary to the Presi-
dent had been advised unofficially
that his Chief had died, brought in
the story of the death. Evidently
the operator at the other end had
sent the messages in the order OF
their filing.
Ike" Hoover, chief usher of the
White House, who superintends and
has superintended for years all the
arrangements of the presidential
household, joined the attaches and
employees summoned at midnight.
He had this information to impart-
information that linked the lead
with the living when he announced:
The home of President Harding
has been made over since he went
away. The plasterers, painters.
plumbers and carpenters have been
here and the renovation Of his
home is practically complete. II
they want to bring the Presidents
body back here the White House
is ready.
If the body of Mr.. Harding is not
to be returned to Washington, then
| occupancy of his successor, Calvin
Coolidge.
The routine, yet solemn announce
ment of IKE" Hoover, who has
been at the White House since Nc
| kinley was slain, was a common
tary upon the fall and decline of
greatness and the immutability Of
| death.
There were other incidents, such
as these heretofore narrated, as
Washington learned of the Presi-
dents death and finally went fit
fully to sleep. AS the President
| dled the White House was unoccu-
| pied except by policemen. The gate
to the executive offices was closed.
hPanp6
| gravel being used in reconditioning
the Presidents home and surround
ing grounds.
A eWspaperman-and such are
always constant sent1n ls-ap-
| preached the barred night gates.
What do you want here at this
time Of night?" asked a vigilant
| officer.
Have you heard that the Presi-
dent is dead?" asked the newspaper
| man.
The White House guard paused
ana gulped. 1t was the natural
thing to do. Then. recovering mo-
mentarily. he asked if there was
rot some mistake. There was no
mistake. The White House gates
swung open and the newspaper
man. who was soon joined by
o.ieIh' went inside the executive
offices.
There they all met II. NJ. Gauss.
| night chief Of the White House
| police. He had just pulled a plug
from switchboard and had heard
mat Harding was dead. He couldn't
believe it and turned for support in
MS disbelief to the assembling cor
respondents. They nodded when
asked II the news was true
moment later, and it was then
nearly midnight, Rudolph Forster,
assistant secretary to the President,
ana IN charge of the White House
Whlie Mr.. Harding and Secretary
Christian were away, called up
from his room in the Wardman
Park Hotel. He directed that all
employees and the executive staff
| OF the White House be summoned
at once. Mr.. Gauss put in the