Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-15

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south America, World publica ton rights
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CHAPTER VIII
I'm the entire eight years or the
Wilson regime not single IN
A diyidual was ever invited to the
White House to luncheon or dinner
for the purpose of exercising a politl'
cal influence upon him. This was
true both as to Mr.. Wilson and ev-
ery member of his family. Few peo'
ple in official and political life were
there at all en- famille. This is hard
to realize but it is true. There were
scores Of cases when an invitation
to a senator or representative or To
the wives of members Of congress-
for family dinner at the W mite
House might have gained for Mr.
Wilson the support Of certain 1ntlu'
entail leaders. But he rebelled at the
thought of using the White House
table to advance his political Tor
tunes.
con two counts" he once said to
a friend, 81 will not permit my home
to be used for political purposes.
One is that if I make an intimate OF
a man in politics it isn't long before
he wants me to do something which
ought not to do. The other is that
if [ have a certain senator, say to
luncheon, he goes back to the senate
and casually remarks in the cloak
tIn 1of cit ND
smoking and talking The president
said to me at luncheon at the White
House today-and SO on. Here in
Washington s4sere is such a craving
to get close to the presidency-as if
there was something really important
about it that would rub off-that
many can not resist theinclination to
brag and boast that they are in the
presidents confidence This not only
may hurt some good friend and sup
porter who has not been to the White
House for luncheon but in time it
may destroy the effectiveness of
others who had been at lunch. The
others may become jealous and re.
fuse to work with him. His leader.
ship, if he has any, is likely to be de.
stroyed. All of this simply means
that a president must isolate him.
self during his term Of office"
Attitude Not Understood
This attitude on the part of Mr..
Wilson was never thoroughly under.
stood by the people of Washington
Loyal supporters and friends in Mr.
Wilson'S own party felt hurt by it
and some became critical because
of it.
The Wilson's earned the reputa.
ton Of being exclusive simply be.
cause they did not invite leaders, so
called leaders, so-called leaders, self
imagined leaders, political charac-
ters and others to the White House.
AS matter Of fact there was a SIM
pie endeavor on Mr.. Wilson's part
to play no favorites.
Il can't have the whole senate
to lunch," he commented, $50 I can
not have any Of them. The moment
L make an intimate of anyone, other
good friends of whom L am Just as
fond are hurt because they think
they are sighted"
The same policy was followed by
Mr.. Wilson in his daily game of golf
On few occasions Colonel House
went to the golf course with him.
but as the colonel did not play he
walked about the course or waited
for the president on a seat beside a
tee. DR.. Cary Z. Grayson, Mr.. Will
sons physician, was a constant golf
companion. No one could feel slight
ed, Mr.. Wilson thought, if he played
golf with his physician. After his
second marriage Mr.. Wilson occa.
sionally took his wife to the golf
course and she played for several
weeks, but the Virginia hills were
rluch too hard to climb, and DR.
Grayson again became the golf part
ner. continuing until Mr.. Wilson
was stricken. Woodrow Wilson de
clined any special consideration al
the clubhouse because he was presi
dent. He dressed at the White
House and at the conclusion of his
game donned his sweater or coat
and rode back to the executive man
sion for a shower.
A Regular Fellow"
He was always a regular fellow
with other players he encountered
| on the course. Frequently those ir
front would ask him to play through
but he woeld not take advantage Of
the offer extended him because he
was president of the United States
AS a result members of the clut
would pretend to lose ball which
of course, gave him the right to play
through. He invariably made some
pleasant remark about the game
| the weather or the incident of the
play and thanked the player who 1et
him pass.
eff I could just hit the bah as
squarely as I hit these daisies
could play a great game" he re
! marked on one occasion while he
swung at several daisies growing or
the green, clipping the heads of
each. MY right eye" he explained
to a group OF golfers, is like d
horses. I can see straight out witt
it but not sideways. AS result
cannot take d full swing because my
! nose gets in the way and Suts OF
my view OF the ball That is the rea
son I use a short swing"
The day after election il 1916, tht
president and DR.. Grayson were
playing No. Is when they passet
other players going down to No. l
How is your game today, Mr.
President?" one of the players
called.
Mr.. Wilson waved his hand anC
called back, "Grayson has he three
down, hut 1 don't care, am fou
states UP on yesterdays election.
Although the Virginia cours,
which he played was a hard one, h,