The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-03-16

Mrs. Harding often attended the
games at washington as also did
Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Coolidge.
I recall an incident that showed
the human side OF President Hard
ing. One afternoon. little dirty
faced kid appeared on the Washing
ton bench and begged for a base
BAH. / looked at him and wondered
how he'd ever gotten into the ball
park. When asked why he wanted
ball he replied: 81 want to get
the President to write his name for
me. admired the boys nerve so
much. / gave him q brand new ball.
lie got the Presidential signature
Alright but he never kept the ball.
As / was leaving the clubhouse
several people were gathered near
. fhe gate. Lying on the ground.
recognized the Lad who had
begged Tor the bah and asked
what waa wrong. He's alright"
man replied, just q case Of
COO much peanuts and soda water.
Then / asked the youngster how
much OF the stuff he had eaten.
a whole lot" was his answer.
But how much soda and how
many peanuts insisted.
II had seven bottles Of sody, ne
suffered .sand seven sacks Of pea
mufs. / was surprised he could
talk under such q load but not
near % much surprised as when he
answered my question as to where
be obtained the money.
II sold the bali, he replied.
was going TO scold him, when
bullying IN his shirt front / dis
covered the ball. Then / learned
that the youngEter, after obtaining
the Presidential signature had
turned around and sold the souvenir.
for q dollar and fifty cents. Not
knowing that the purchaser was O.
member Of the Harding party.
when che President was enter
Ing his car, after the game, he
noticed the crowd and recognized
flIs lad. Instead 81 being pro-
Voked Mr.. Harding merely told
him little boys shouldn't 0ver-eat
and then, calling 20 one Of his
party, obtained the ball and re-
turned It 70 the yOungster.
President Harding was extremely
fond Of children and boys seemed
to be his favorite. Our own little
fellow, Walter Jr., was on the
bench one afternoon in a uniform.
His mother was sitting In the
grandstand alone. Mrs. Harding
invited Walter Jr., to come to the
box and he watched the game with
President Harding's knee as seat
Of honor.
After the game he Joined his
= Il. ~
the stand she saw a great crowd
President. Naturally she thought
Walter Jr. would be interested in a
close view OF the President but was
taken back, when he said: "A close
view isn't anything mother. Why
I been sittfn' on his lap since 3
o'clock
I distinctly remember the last
game President Harding witnessed.
He was In New York and showed
up at the Yankee Stadium unan-
nounced. Before the game he sent
for me, and as we shook hands he
said, just as informally as possible:
well. Walter, came out to root
for Washington"
The first time ] met President
AOOAA16C WAC IA BAAC D14A WdAA ~
the opening Of the 1924 season.
He often appeared at the park
and I was always impressed by
the fact that he brought along
his sons. In fact, the poor little
fellow who died was at the park
with his father a day or two be-
fore his sickness.
I had often been invited to the
White House. and while / consld-
cred 1t q great honor. I never
seemed to get there. My first visit
was Just before we won the pen
nant. Mr.. Coolidge received the
entire Washington team and talked
more like a fan than President.
He really seemed anxious that
washington should win the pen.
nant. What are your chances on
your last Western trip?" he asked
Bucky Harris, and then went
further and inquired as to whether
the remaining schedule was favor
able or unfavorable. President
Coolidge generally Keeps score at a
game and / have seen Mrs. Cool
idge do the same.
There is no pretended interest
In baseball, on the part OF Mr..
Coolidge. He often attended the
games when he was Vice President
And not only did he witness tho
opening game OF the world series.