Evening star., 1924-03-21
Why Wilson Broke With Joseph
p. Tumulty, His Private Secretary.

The influence of Mrs. Edith Wilson
on the life Of the President, begin
ming as it did early in 1915 and ex-
one of those intimate chapters which
will never be adequately described by
the historian. Hers was a charm
which affected Woodrow Wilson at
every turn of his later career. With
out seeking to dominate, yet guiding
him just as surely as any adviser had
in the past, sympathizing. helping
with the details of his work, receiv-
ing his condolences. discussing prob
lens of state, testing friends for their
playing the confidante in a way that
completely absorbed Mr.. Wilson, there
stood at his side through the critical
years of his life a woman who 1t may
truly be said shaped the destinies OF
the United States government for
nearly six years.
Like every woman. she had her
likes and dislikes. Some Of those
callers did not come as often to the
White House when she became its
mistress. Those who sought to reach
the President, on the other hand.
was frequently of incalculable aid.
She moved about without ostentation.
holding her place as first lady in the
land with all the grace that bef1tted
such position.
Blend Of Work and Play.
The election of 1915 played an i'm
portant part in the development of
Mr. Wilson's new life. He felt more.
confidant than ever of the support OF
public opinion He did not seek new
companions. He lived in the COM
Portable seclusion and quiet of the
White House with his beloved wife.
He did not make transcontinenta
campaign in the summer of 1915, such
as that of his opponent. Charles
Evans Hughes, the republican nom
Lawn, Long Branch, N. j., making
speeches every Saturday to visiting
delegations. Altogether. 1t was a
season of recreation for the President
Of public business, of course, but
happy blend of work and play.
just after the memorable 1916 cleo
tion, when the doubts and anxieties
about second term had been re-
moved for all time. the beginning Of
new era in the White House was
~ent. Changes began to be made
!. ae personnel. The author dis
closes one episode which has never
before been related, but which IL
lustrates how completely Mr.. Wilson
had separated himself from his pre-
vious life. One day the President in
casual conversation with Private Sec
retary Tumulty told the latter that
he believed he ought to resign the
secretaryship and go in for political
career in New Jersey as member
of Congress. For Geeks preceding
this conversation there had been re-
ports published that Mr. Wilson had
offered Mr.. Tumulty post on the
board of appraisers in New York.
Secretary Tumulty was at loss to
understand the origin of these ru-
mors as to the place he was to oc-
cupy in the second administration.
He could not recall offending the
President in the slightest, but at last
Mr.. Wilson revealed that the pub
lished reports were true-he did sug-
gest resignation to his private Sec
retary.
The author learned of the incident
at noon on Sunday, November 10, 1916,
and feeling sure there must be some
misunderstanding, sent a note to the
President requesting an audience that
afternoon and was received in the
green room almost Immediately.
Did Not Like Criticism.
Woodrow Wilson never liked to hear
criticism, yet he was one Of the fair
est Of men. knowing him for years
as a man who would not render. a
judgment unfairly if he knew the
facts, the author sought Mr.. Wilson's
reasons and found that prejudice had
been carried to him with respect to
his private secretary which was un-
fortunate-a prejudice based on a po-
litical cabal and upon impressions
which were wholly unjust to his pri.
vate secretary. :.
For three-quarters of an hour we
talked. 1t was a dramatic CONVEX
sation only because the author felt
that in such a case vehemence was
essential in order to impress Mr.. Will
son with the ingratitude that would
be his II he listened to the enemies
of his private secretary and gratified
their wishes. Nobody would UNDER
stand. the author told the President,
how one who had rendered as faith
full service to him as had Secretary
Tumulty could be asked to retire.
None of thE newspaper men who
knew what had been accomplished
by Secretary Tumulty for woodrow
Wilson would understand, and the old
taunt of New Jersey days-ingrati-
tude-would arise once more. Mr..
Wilson seemed to realize that he had
wounded his faithful friend-the man
who had fought his battles day and
highland he sent word through the
author to his private secretary not
to be disturbed.