Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
TINDENBURG REMAINS ACTIVE
UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DUTIES
Never Rises Later Than 7
and Begins Days Work
at Desk by g.
German Executive impartial
to Parties-Tond of
Family.
BY LOUIS r. LOCHNER.
Associated Press Staff Writer

BY LOUIS r. LOCHNER,
Associated Press star Writer.
BERLIN, July 21--The day begins
octog enarian President of the German
Republic.
He never rises later than o'clock and
after a simple breakfast, usually served
in his bedroom, takes a brief stroll
through the spacious garden adjacent
to the executive mansion. His shep-
herd dog Rolf is his constant COM
panion.
After the stroll, the President often
reads on the glass-inclosed veranda of
the executive mansion. He still sub
scribes to paper of his home town,
Hanover. and follows local happenings
there with interest. Biography inter-
ests him most Memoirs of men like
Bismarck fascinates him.
At Desk at o.
Promptly at 0 he sits at his desk
in the executive study. The first man
to report TO him is the chief OF the
government press bureau, DR.. Walter
Zechlin. Like all men attached to Hin
denburg. zechlin is expected to come
and go without haste. All his life
Hindcnburg has stood for proceeding
quietly. orderly, without fuss or COM
motion. His mastery Of difficult situa-
lions is ascsibcd to this profound COM
posure.
zechlin's report on the days news
laws the progress Of the whole world
during the past "a hours before the
President in less than an hour. Zech-
lin never tails to include the cartoons,
and the President often has hearty
laugh over caricatures.
There follows special report on
military matters by an officer OF the
defense ministry. Veteran soldier that
he is. Hindenburg naturally takes
special interest in the army and navy
Gen. Heye as successor to Gen. Won
Sceckt, and Gen. Groener as successor
to Minister of Defense Gessler were
beth his personal choice.
Above Parties.
A third daily report is that by State;
Secretary Otto Meissner, whose position
is that of the American secretary to the
President. Me.ssner advises the Presi-
cent on matters of police, and in gen.
cral acts as his right-hand man on
all Official matters. Usually the PreSs-
dent asks to see the visitors book In
which people enter their names in lieu
al personally calling upon him, and
Mcissner must tell him VINO each caller
Is and whom or what he represents
The Presidents only son, Maj Cs al
Won Hindenburg. has been made his
adiutant and personal aide AS such ne
reports on the Presidents personal
ncn- official correspondence and makes
his personal appointments.
Hindennurg's sense Of justice III po-
litical appointments is illustrated by
the following occurrence. When the Tor
eign Office suggested Won Prittwitz as
Ambassador to America, reactionary
Nationalist circles tri2d to get the Pres
ident's ear and prevent the young dip
lon,ats appointment.
Does your excellencv know that
Won prittwitz Is d Democratic" some one
asked.
well, then. it seems to me, he Is
lust the man for the place. Have al
WAYS heard that America is a demo-
cratic country"
But he is too young" another re-
jected.
"Tt's a good thing to promote young
men from time to time TO important
positions. That puts new pep into the
whole regiment" was the rejoinder,
Friendly to Russians.
In his relations to others. 1t Is the
human qualities which decide the Pres
idents personal attitude toward them
Fer instance, Hindenburg always bows
with particular grace to DR.. Vera
Krestinsky. wife of the Russian Soviet
Ambassador. He cares not that she is
bolshegist--to him 1t Is sufhcient
that she spends her mornings IN the
German HafI-
dren gratis,
she Is a good wonan--her political
views don't concern me-" he observed
TO high official.
Before the President signs any docu-
ment, he studies 1t carefully and often
suggests changes. But the President
is constitutional to the dot of an l."
one cabinet member observed. He will
never exceed his powers, but lets the
cabinet do the governing, In that re-
spect he has taken William / as his
model. He even uses Williams ex-
preston. meme minister, when speak
ing of us
One day the minister of ths interior
came with a decree providing that the
navy fire a salute whenever the chan
cellor Is present.
mfr Minister. are you very keen on
this provision" Hindenbufg asked. 1T
scenes to me If Bismarck and the other
chancellorS were not received with sa-
lutes. there is no need introducing the
custom under this republic. Let us not
be more pompous than royalty" The
provision was promptly eliminated
After the ministers reports come the
diplomatic receptions. followed by visits
from distinguished men In all walks of
life. The President appreciates ability
and accomplishment In whatever phase
of human endeavor 1t may show itself
and Is glad to receive representative
men, On the other hand, he does not
approve Of the shake HANDS" idea IL
vogue In America. An audience with
the head of the nation should be ex-
elusive enough to be distinction, he
apparently believes
Lunch is usually taken with the FAM
ilv As all things in the Presidents
life. 1t is simple affair, frightened by
the presence of his two grandchildren,
xruzws -
| MT. VERNON