The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-12-02
Inside
Washington
BY HELEN FSSApv

postwar perfection sizzle and bd 19'
Say it again slowly-"Tbe w DVi'.
-. not -. won YETI
Washington mas discoveries
new reason for the delav Of H.
United States in feeding the bnn rS
CRY people of occupied conrt ,,S''
With supplies the occupied cm LrS
tries can afford to buy and III. HI,
United States can spare 's
| 1t is former President Ho.,..
enthusiasm to feed the hungry ~
has made the plan unpopular w ria,
the administration. WIN
Hoover is remarkably unponnl.,
at the White House and has baa1
SC for about IL years. Anv co oen
that he advocates is foupb+ " u
project for feeding Europe is wow rt'
able and humane. The Wbf itN'
House knows this but 5lamas j..
indecision on England, on Cbnrot
III ana ms blockade. England
b]ames the INDIGESTION on the I ITni.
ed States. If Roosevelt disIiLo5
Hoover less, neutral Swedish qbj ru
would have been on their way lone
ago with precious supplies
|
AS much national and INTERIM.
t,onal thought now turns to nrs;s a
the once criticized Woodrow VII
son and the League Of Nations
I often think of happening lbs,
was an important part nj tbo
World War l presidents last vear
i'll the White House. The story Of
this happening, which l recently
learned, has never been published
Yet it heled write the history Of
the United States.
Few people knew Of the hammer.
ing. Not more than half dozen
at most. Yet it was news Of such
sensation that it would have made
headlines as tall as an annorra.
rnent of an arnistice.
| Woodrow Wilson lay despeatey
Ill. The stroke which he had sui.
fered had so affected him in BODY
and nerves that he was unable 10
function even from his bed as he
president of the United States.
!, The uneasy country, recovering
from the war, needed direction
The cabinet, like other government
departments, was carrying On as
| best it could without advice from
the commanderin-chief Behind the
scenes there was a crisis in Wash
irgton. A real crisis.
What should be done about the
presidency? Should Wilson be an.
nounced as incompetent? Might it
not throw the then uncertain ma.
ton into a panic to have the man
who had brought it through the
World War withdraw because Of
illess in favor of a vice president?
| Yet, was it fair to permit the
country to carry on with virtually
nc. president, no head? The stu.
alton could go on no longer in
such confusion.
Vice President Thomas Marshall
must be approached for his ideas,
The situation was too delicate to
be handled carelessly Marshall, in
line for the presidency, might in
s;st on moving up to the higher
office. And yet should he?
: Somebody must 60 to Marshall.
: Somebody who would be trusted
completely with the facts Of this
! hazardous moment. Marshall was
even then unaware Of the serlous'
) ness of his chiefs illness. Tn
truth had been kept secret
! Marshall must now b told the
truth. If he could be persuaded
to let Woodrow Wilson be regard
ed for the next few months Of his
, office as the active president then
much unplasantness m g mt De
avoided.
What man was there to take
; this message to the vice president!
The few close loyal friends OF WIZ
son debated the choice in troupeo
whispers. At last they came to
decision. There was rita
neWspaperman, much respected
Washington correspondent, Wh o
knew Vice President Marshall wen
and who had discretion, tact ana
loyalty.
Out of the whole city of WASH
ington out of the whole country
in fact, this man, whose pro1es'
sion it was to tell, was chosen 10
handle and keep secret the vl!al
mission. He went to Marshall. Met
him in a solemn conference AZ
which no one else was presenI!H
Gave him the honest story OF WIZ
sons illness. And laid the cards'
as he saw them. on the table NJ
said to Marshall. in effect 'Io1
can be president Of the Unive1
States if you wish. You know tnS,
But do you think it would be gooa
for the nation at this time? 4H'
decision is in your hands.
The vice president hesitated
while. Chewed on one of his "a
nous cigars. Talked and listeAe''
and then said:
well, Fred Essary, l beles'
we will let things stay as they al'.
I don't believe it would be sIllal'
to upset the country any nl0-'
right now" ;,
The neWspaperman went oacA !.
Woodrow Wilson S friends and CAV.
Marshall's message. They "e'
relieved of some of their anXie"
Woodrow Wilson continued nom.
| ne tho Il1ltC'