Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-03

President Wilson brought with MIN
70 the executive chair some IDEAS VI
his own as to the conduct of the once.
He cast precedent aside IN many
things and played the official game
as he thought best.
For more than 100 years Presidents
Of the United States had transmitted
their recommendations to Congress
concerning legislation by means OF
messages, and had Kept away from
the halls of Congress to avoid charges
! that they were trying to influence
, .anarate branch Of the government.
Mr.. Wilson, instead Of writing mes
saees. jumped into his automobile and
went directly to Congress with his
| views. reading what he had to say
from a prepared document. During
his term of Office he sent few written
,, communications to that body, and on
all important matters he appeared be-
fore the two bodies in joint session
and told the assembled congressman
what he thought best for the country.
Often Had Used Capitol Room.
Frequently during his term the
President awaited himself Of his priv
ilege of using the presidential room
in the Senate chamber for confer
ences on important subjects. foreign
and domestic. with democratic and
republican senators. Before that
TN the closing hours to sign bills.
They did not go to press upon the
LEGISLATORS their views as to what
should be done. For doing this he
has been charged with tampering
with q separate and Independent body
that should not be Influenced from
the White House or anywhere else
except by public opinion. The Presi-
dent, however, maintained the posi-
ton that he was sponsor for the pub
islation. and that it was his duty to
transmit the opinions of the voters
to Congress In any proper manner.
He never considered 1t improper to
deal personally and directly with
In fact, Mr.. Wilson was so disre-
gardful Of precedents and prejudtces
that Fridays and the thirteenth of
the month, even when they. fell upon
! the same day, were looked upon as
docs" for him. His intellectual at
| tainments frowned upon supersti-
tfons and he never hesitated to start
Large sx on bs
| with thirteen. letters and he often
stopped after doing 1t thirteen times.
One President of recent years shared
the superstition. that If he spoke OF
his health being unusually good he
| must touch wood or illness might
overtake him. It was about his only
! superstition. Not SO Mr.. Wilson.
Filled Only Important Positions.
/ President Wilson smashed the long
existent idea that the White House
should be q mecca for patronage dis
tribution and TQuarrels. When he came
| into office he turned over to his cabi-
net officers the duties OF going through
all applications for Office and making
recommendations to him., He was
consistent in following these recon-
mendations. In this way he kept
out Of the the dis snd s over Jobs, and I'd
the "cussing" Of those who became
sore. Mr.. Wilson gave personal at
tention only to important diplomatic
! appointments. making his own selec-
! lions in the majority Of cases: He had
Bryan on the Nebraskan becoming
Secretary Of State. Mr.. Bryan attend
ed to the smaller appointments In the
| diplomatic and consular service, but
the President chose the men for the
j w Wife Mr.. wilson's responsibilities
were enormous, he carried them with
ease, and did not let them follow him
| into his private life. Under the direc-
ton Of his physician and friend, DR..
Cary Grayson, he took plenty Of time
for recreation and the maintenance OF
his health. When y:s Governor Of
| tat Saturdays would be holidays
with him, and he brought this rule to
tha White House. He followed the