The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-03-23
Our Government
How Ii Operates
THE PRESIDENTS JOB
By william Bruckare

s@N 49, W UNAhts y AGStttCHl WI
the United States carries with II
something more than the honor that
attaches to that great office. Those
who have observed the perform
ances of even two or three individ
uals in their service as President
arrive, believe, at two irregocable
conclusions respecting Presidents.
One of them presents a problem for
which / can offer no solution. The
other constitutes a fact that is
gloriffcation of a nation producing
such men.
These convictions are, first, that
the Office of President of our ma.
ton is burden too great for any
one human being to bear and, sec.
ond, that no person ever has served
long in the Office without yielding to
the guidance of some impelling re-
ligious philosophy, regardless of the
state of mind he had when he as.
sumed the duties.
1t was only a comparatively few
years ago when 1t was common
sight In Washington to see the
President strolling about the city
unattended. meeting and greeting
people. The tasks were not so on
erous in those days. But the du-
ties of the President in late years
have become so complex, the re-
sponsibilities so great, that his
work actually never is done. And
add to the worries of the office, this
fact: he is never free from crifi-
cism, some of which is sincere but
much Of which is purely for politi-
cal purposes.
AS the nation has pushed forward
and its government has expanded,
more and more responsibility rests
with its Chief Executive. It has
resulted In condition wherein the
Presidency carries with it entirely
too much work. The fact long has
been recognized. but the solution is
not apparent. A President has Con-
stitutional obligations, and there is
no way by which he can be relieved
of them.
1t is obvious to all that the Pres
ident cannot personally be in touch
with every activity of the far-fung
governmental machinery, yet he is
held to account for them. He must
leave them to others. He has to he
content with attempts to cooperate
the whole and determine general
policies. III an organization of some
100000 persons, 1t is not difficult to
see how unwlse decisions may be
reached by various subordinates,
and in our two-party system of gov
eminent. the "onts'' overlook no OPP
lrortunity to capitalize the mistakes
/ of the ''ins."
And so 1t goes. An error or an I'M
wise decision or a piece of malfeas-
lance becomes as SNOWFALL and
grows as ii rolls.
The President, therefore, has to
be concerned with all of the thou
sands of activities, and assume re-
spOusfbility for results without be-
ing able at the same time TO super
wise them except Indirectly. Nor is.
there ever any noticeable short
age of critics and agltators to
enll attention to the vulnerable
spots.
There are close advisers TO the
President, OF course. He has his
cabinet. But loyal as are the cab
met members and wise and careful
as they may he. the head of the ma
ton still must lead. He must frame
the policies relating TO International
affairs; he must think clearly re-
speeding the nations economic
needs, and he cannot escape the
thought that from every word or
deed of his flows consequences so
far reaching that our nation may he,
plunged into war or It's whole peo.
pie may suffer the privations Of
hard times" Even further, from,
the things he says or does may come.
blasted regulations or unmerited
riches.
Perhaps IL Is the constant thought
of this great responsibility that
makes men consult the depths Of the
souls for the guidance that they
need. lt In a fact, nevertheless, that
whatever they have done or what
ever their source OF wisdom may
have been prior to becoming Presi-
dent of the United States, their
private thoughts during their terms
of Office have shown their regard
for the truth as Il Is impaired I'm
one or another OF the religious teach
ings.
Things or this sort about the Pres
ldent seldom reach the people. n
is one Of the numerous things which
cannot become known. The Prpsl-
dent Is entitled TO some privacy,
though he gets very little despite all
Of the effort te provide &c Ny
thought always has heen that the
President ossx1t to hare 4 BOT OF
sympathy. Every body il - anxious
20 set q glimpse Of BIN 81 10 taIs
with liim thar be is aot given the.
tune 10 hare good hard-b0iles1
crouch. however much he may feel
ike IL.
II might be Just as well. therefore.
that rsIe foad mother who iaaks apou
her first born as President 20 be
might change her hope. II she seeks
happIness Tor him. Il may cone