The Indianapolis times., 1927-11-05
LATE PRESIDENT
GIRLS FATHER,
AUTHOR CLAIMS
Book Tells Story of Love
Affair." of Long Standing
With Executive.
MEMORY IS DEFENDED
Statement Authorized by
Family Sounds Appeal
for Justice.
MEMORY is DEFENDED
BU United Press


ments of the bereayed family, have
broken their long silence and for
mally denounced as infamous" the
claim of Nan Britton, former Mar
ion (Ohio) girl that she is the moth
er of daughter of the late Presl-
dent.
In defense of the dead executives
memory, a carefully prepared state
ment was made today, with the
knowledge of Mr.. Harding's brother,
DR.. George T. Harding. Jr., by Grant
E. Mouser, ST., a lifelong personal
and political friend and fellow
townSman.
1t expresses the hope that "the
American nation will rise to con-
denim such unwarranted attack
upon a defenseless man.
Calls for Public Action
Further, it expresses hope that
public opinion will force from cir
culation Miss Brittons book, in
which she tells Of her alleged secret
love affair with Mr.. Harding, from
which love, she claims, a daughter
was born while Mr.. Harding still
was United States Senator.
The book, a large volume going
into great and intimate detail as
regards the alleged relationship be-
tween Miss Britton and Mr.. Hard
ing, has been published by the
Elizabeth Ann Guild, Inc.," operat-
ing in connection with the ELIZA
beth Ann League" which declares
it is seeking social and legal recog-
milton of all illegitimate children.
Subscription blanks for member
ship IN this league" are enclosed
within the covers of the book.
Since it's publication, the book has
had widespread sale and for weeks
friends of the Hardings, it is dis
closed, have been writing the family,
expressing resentment and urging
action.
Eriend Issues Statement
Conferences were held this week
among DR.. George T. Harding, Jr.,
and his sisters, Mrs. Ralph Lewis
and Mrs. Heber Votaw, Grant E.
Mouser,. Sr.; his son, assistant at
torney general in Ohio, and other
old friends of the family.
Finally Mouser, at whose home
Miss Britton was a guest many
times during her girlhood. issued
the following statement today, on
his own initiative:
"The character of Mr.. Harding,
his deep sense of responsibility, and
his instructive love for children
certainly discredit the book even
more thoroughly than contradicting
details contained between its cov-
erS.
"I am convinced some ulterior
motive prompted the publication OF
The Presidents Daughter which,
even If true, is infamous. The whole
thing is very much regretted by
Mr.. Harding's family and loyal
friends who cannot conceive OF
events alleged, knowing him as they
did.
See SIander Of Harding
Numerous incidents which we
are well able to recall depict a gen
tleman of great sense OF RESPONSE
bility-utterly unlike the character
painted in the unfortunate book.
eff President Harding had been
the father of the child, we know
provision would have been made for
IL. Upon that the President would
lhave insisted.
1--WE also have had occasion to re-
call that President Harding was an
tnstinctive lover of children, and as
such would not have left any child,
whether his or not, without all ad-
vantages. if the matter had been
brought to his personal attention.
That is the kind of man we knew
him to be.
"It is certainly to be hoped the
American Nation Will rise 10
condemn such unwarranted attack
lluon a defenselesS man and force
the books retirement from circula-
ton"
Tells Of Love Affair
Briefly, Miss Britton's book re-
lates how she was infatuated as
girl with Mr.. Harding from the time
she first knew him as editor OF the
Marion Star and before he entered
politics.
This infatuation did not abate as
she grew older, and finally when he
became United States Senator, &C
cording to her story, he procured
employment for her as stenographer
with the United States Steel Corp
grafton.
Thenceforward their friendship
and intimacy grew, the story re-
lates, the consunmation being a
baby girl, named Elizabeth Ann.
For purposes of convenience, she
say, Miss Britton gave the child at
the outset the surname of Chris
tian,, that of Mr.. Harding's secre-
tary both when he was senator and
president. The girl is now 8 years
old.
Defends Her Story
Miss Britton, in New York, has
maintained that there is no doubt
as to the details she has related in
the book and adds that she has told
her daughter all about her parent
age. In an interview with the
United Press she said:
"All Mr.. Harding's relatives and
friends know have spoken only
the truth. My letters and other
proofs, some of which were not in
my book, fill box under lock and
key in safety deposit vault. ]
know of men who will sign afddavits
attesting the facts I have men,
toned"
on the other hand. friends Of the