Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

" YITH the taking of the oath
n of President Of the United
NV States, as many thousands
looked on admiringly and mil
lions Of others heard him over
the radio, Herbert Hoover, the master
engineer and man of action, formally
entered upon the most important and
most trying undertaking OF his busy
life.
The post of President of our Repub-
lie is gigantic one; since the Govern
ment was put into operation the duties
of its Chief Executive have multiplied;
the demands upon his time have
multiplied apace; the work is more ex-
acting; his days are spent in work,
affording little time for recreation.
To a sensitive man the Office OF
President Is a severe physical strain,
| and to a Chief Magistrate who is not
robust or who does not conserve his
strength the job undermines his health.
! Warren Harding described 1t as COM
parable to life In a prison. Woodrow
| wilson's constitution was shattered
william Howard Taft found some
bright spots during his terms. as did
Col. Roosevelt, but they experienced
many disbursements. President Cool
idge has found very little time during
his tenure for anything but hard work
and intensive application, but, accord
physically on the job and Is in splendid
health.
| Probably no man ever entered upon
the duties of President more familiar
with the tasks and labors, as well as
the bitter trials and diSappointments
awaiting him, than President Hoover
His eight years in the cabinet and his
work as food administrator during the
war period of the Wilson administra-
ton brought him in very intimate touch
with the White House. What he has
seen in the matter of presidential du-
ties should have prepared him for his
present duties. He should know
just what to expect, and from his OBJ
servations during these years of White
House intimacy and his experience dur
ing his connection with three admin
istrations he should all the better know
how to administer duties incidental te
the presidency.
Works Many Hours.
The mere routine work of President
| is in itself sufficient to keep him busy
j during the course Of an eight-hour day
But the President in the matter OF
working hours is not so fortunate as
are thousands of Government employees
Very frequently the most exacting part
of his days work is just beginning when
their days labors are at an end. Wher
important matters of state are up fol
decision and other problems of inn.
portance confront him. the Executive
must labor into the night. Many times
he is called upon to work into the early
hours of the morning.
The so-called routine work Is mostly
ptysical-signing commissions, personal
and other letters. special orders and
bills passed by Congress, as well as au-
tographing photographs. Nevertheless
this routine calls for perusal and appli-
cation. Then there are his business en-
gagements, cabinet meetings and con-
ferences with members of Congress
Government of1cials, political leaders
and the seemingly endless line of indi-
viduals who have suggestions to make
| regarding the running Of the Govern
| ment. and those seeking favors.
Being public servant, the President
can never completely isolate himself
and he must accept certain number
of invitations either to make speeches
or else to be the honor guest at func-
tons. not only in Washington, but In
various parts of the country. The
speeches he must deliver during the
course OF the year require much time
and thought in their preparation. This
sort Of labor also includes the writing
of letters and messages to gatherings
which he Is unable to attend or address
in person.
In addition to this, there are the