Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

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Continued from Sixteenth Page
newspaper Of the A. E. F. He was assistant
officer in charge of the publication and was
with it until the famous organ ceased publica-
ton in June, 1919, when the last doughboys
we're being withdrawn from France.
Gen Pershing honored Lieut. Early for his
exceptional and meritorious service" giving
him q silver citation. He was cited for his
work with combat troops during the war and
his proves won him captaincy in the In
fantry.
After the last issue Of the Stars and Stripes
had come from the presses, In the Summer
Of 1919. Capt Early was detailed to duty IN
the War Department. in the office of the chief
of Military Intelligence at Washington. Shortly
thereafter he was given his discharge from the
service.
TWO years abroad had diminished his contact
with home conditions "a sine qua non OF
the successful newspaper man. That he might
become better readjusted to postwar America,
Mr. Early went with the Chamber Of Commerce
of the United States, in charge Ct publicity for
the board of directors. He secured this post
through the aid of his old chief on the Asso
ciated Press here, L. c. Probert. During an
inspection trip the board made from Washing
10 COe West SOoSt dllU IttuIu Isdl ~
accompanied the group, getting new insight
into conditions and problems left as the after
math of the war. He was with the chamber
until his return to the Associated Pres in the
washington office.
Here he continued to work n the Washington
staff, specializing on the White House and
State, War and Navy Departments run" For
four five years he covered" the Capitol
Senate and House
Thpr nj the cyneri.
ences that can befan any newspaper man
practically seeing President Ct the United
States dying. With E. Ross BARLEY, regular
White House correspondent for the Associated
Press, Mr. Early was assigned to accompany
Pre- ident Warren G. Harding and his party to
Alaska As fortune would have it. that was
an iu-starred journey for the Chief Executive.
How the postwar President became critically
i'll in San Francieo is well known.
The Associated Press kept an eagle-eyed watch
on the Presidents condition. Mr.. Early was
on duty, outside the sick chamber in the hotel.
when Mrs. Harding ran screaming to the door
of the apartment and shouted for some one to
get the doctors quickly.
The unusual scene occurred on the ninth
floor Of the Palace Hotel IN that picturesque
old city by the Golden Gate 1t was In early
August, 1928. The physicians to the President
had issued . bulletin about 4:30 pm. Pacific
Coast time) that the Chief Executive had had
his best day since his illness. But the Asso-
ciated Press did not relax its vigil. Mr. Early
was walking up and down the corridor when
Mrs. Harding rushed out with the exciting
tdings that the Chief Magistrate had taken
rapid turn for the worxe
The Associated Press was ready to receive
the startling news. It had installed trunk
line into the Palace Hotel, directly underneath
the Presidents sick chamber and operators
were on duty around the clock. When Mr..
Early ran down the narrow stairway that serves
as a fire escape to the A. P. news room, just
below where Warren G. Harding lay in extremis,
the telegraph operator ON duty waiting.
With dispatch, Mr.. Early dictated the bulletins
that told OF the Presidents condition-described
the dramatic situation, but not announcing the
Presidents death-for that had not been con-
firmed.
In telegraph editors rooms in the East, copy
readers waiting around the rim" were wear
ing the night away. With yawn or two, they
glanced shiftily at the clock and Lit up another
cigarette. waiting for the last few hours to 60.
But it was the calm that presages the storm.
For Mr.. Early's alacrity woke them into action.
His bulletins came through about 1890 pm.
Eastern standard time)
It was the biggest story for many a day
and the Associated Press flash and bulletins
on the dying President stopped the presses in
the East. By 10 minutes the Associated Press