Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21


WOodrow Wilson, himself uictinr of
the tremendous burdens of the presi-
dency, once declared that a Chief En-
ecutiUe needed the physique of an ath-
Lete and the mind of scholar
and relatives At this period the President
frequently goes into the south grounds to be
photographed with visitors
The President goes to lunch at 115-not to
enjoy leiSurely snack with a group of friends
but to lunch formally with guests to discuss
pubic business with callers whose necessities
require more time than could be spared in the
once. Afternoon engagements are reserved
Tor persons with whom extended conferences
are necessary. These include Government Of
Meals cabinet members, diplomats, business
leaders, labor leaders, representatives OF all
phases of American life. His day at the Office
never ends until 6 o'clock
For two hours from to 8 pm, Mr. Hoover
has an opportunity to relax. He may sleep for
half an hour and spend the rest of the time
In reading light book. Dinner is served at g.
Again it is a formal function with guests, or
1t may be an elaborate state dinner in honor
OF distinguished foreigner. After dinner the
guests remain usually until IL O'clock when
the President retires. This hour has been set
oy the Presidents personal physician Capt.
Boone, as the time for his retirement for Mr.
Hoover could not withstand the strains of his
office without adequate sleep.
On tuesday and each succeeding morning
the President starts the day with 20 minutes
OF exercise with his medicine ball cabinet in
the south grounds. He meets the cabinet at
IL O'Clock and at noon sees accredited news
paper correspondents. This conference may
consume Is or 20 minutes. When it is con-
cluded the usual routine is resumed. The cabi-
net meeting and the press conference are re-
peated on Friday, except that the latter is held
fTlCfn NF
Despite this constant routine pressure there
are times when the President must be alone
He must prepare messages to Congress write
MS public addresses, dispose of correspondence
consider diplomatic negotiations and in the
= solitude of his own room give thought to ma
tonal policies and problems
Inc president. OF course, is the leader Of bis
party Hence he is constantly being called
upon to formulate political policy to meet the
party leaders OF the Congress and of the States
ana ~ advise and direct to the end that wise
pol1t al action may be reflected in the success
OF his administration Such problems as that
represented by the recent Huston case must
OF necessity be considered by him. for in i'm
portant party affairs he acts as a court of last
recourse.
Week after week this program is carried ont
1t means that Mr.. Hoover never leaves the
Wnlte House. He cannot go for a stroll in the
evening. He cannot drop in on a friend for a
smoke and chat If he should desire to walk
accompany him. In few moments a crowd
would gather. He never goes to the theater
HE sees his friends only when they are invited
10 lunch or dinner, for one cannot CASUALLY call
at the White House. Except during his 20
minutes of exercise in the morning and his two
hours of rest in the evening he is never without
an audience.
Inere are, of course, a multitude of details
connected with the presidency not mentioned
mere The business of making appointments
ana signing commissions is in itself ire
mendouS task. It would break the spirit of an
Impatient man. Mr.. Taft hated it with A
wholesome and whole-hearted hate But the
PRESIDENT cannot get away from it, for it is his
constitutional duty
t<OR time Mr. Hoover consented to hold
public receptions, for the American peouIe
want to see their President One dav in the
Spring of 1929 he shook hands with 27O0 men
and women at the rate of 40 per minute It
was heart breaking and arm breaking. The
practice had to be abandoned if the President
was to preserve any strength for his job At
formal receptions at the White House that
number has been doubled at times and once
trebled.
As a substitute for the handShaking formaIi-
ties. an arrangement has been made whereby
many groups are photographed with the Presi-
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