Evening star., 1953-12-26
Christmas Over,
Eisenhower Labors
On Three Messages
By the As.oeiotsd Press

AUGUSTA. Ca, Dec. 26.-
President Eisenhower, refreshed
by merry Christmas with his
family, turns today to work on
a sheaf Of January messages to
Congyess-and he may squeeze
In a round of golf.
The President and Mrs. Eisen-
hover arrived by plane from
Washington yesterday afternoon
after a brief Stopover at Fort
Benning. Ga, to pick UP their
son, Maj. John Eisenhower; his
wife Barbara, and the three
young Eisenhower grandchildren.
They and Mrs. Eisenhower's
mother, Mrs. John S. Doud,
assembled around the Christmas
tree last night at the little White
House at the Augusta National
Golf Club.
President in Happy Mood.
The President was in a happy
mood and Mrs. Eisenhower asked
him to tell reporters what he
had told her Christmas morning
before leaving Washington.
IT said" Gen. Eisenhower
laughed, that was not going
to be mad at any one today. I
was so happy to get away"
The President remarked that
the last month has been par
ticularly grueling one for him.
In it were crowded such events
as the Bermuda Big Three con-
ference. his atomic pool speech to
the United Nations and series
of conferences with Republican
congressional leaders on the adj
ministration's 1854 legislative
program.
AS he stepped from his plane
at Augustus Bush Field, the
President told reporters he plans
to do nothing but work during
his stay. probably until Janu-
ary 3. He added later, however,
that he does hope to play some
golf, too.
Three Messages to Congress.
On the work docket is the
drafting of three messages to
Congress. The first is the state
of-the- Union message, which he
will deliver in person January Z,
the day after the legislators con-
vene. Budget and economic mes
sages will go to the Capitol a
few days later.
Also to pe put together here
is the television and radio re-
port he will make. to the Ma
ton January 4 on the adminis-
tration program thus far. He
also viii outline future goals.
Gen. Eisenhower was accom-
panied from Washington by only
small White House staff, but
other aides and perhaps some
members of his cabinet will join
him in a few days.
The scene last night at Eisen-
hover cottage recently completed
at the golf club was typical of
the Christmas scene in thousands
Of other American homes.
In the center of the spacious
living room was a gayly decorated
Christmas tree. Beneath it
were the family gifts, several of
them still unopened.
Grandchildren Get Attention.
And as everywhere where there
are youngsters on Christmas, the
Eisenhower grandchildren got
most of the attention.
Five-year-old David had a
wonderful time showing his
grandfather a new set of shiny
Junior size golf clubs. The Pres
ident remarked that Davids
game was not all that could he
expected, but predicted it would
improve.
David sported snappy scotch
plaid bow tie which, it turned
out, the President bought for
him in Bermuda early this
month.
Gen. Eisenhower confided with
a laugh that he sent some one
out to do some Christmas shop
ping for him in Bermuda.
President Tastes Cake.
Four-year-old Barbara Anne
and 2-year-old Susan spent most
of the time admiring new dolls
while David chatted with his
grandfather-he Gales the Pres
ident Ike-about golf.
Once the President poked a
finger into a Christmas cake un-
der the tree and remarked to
David it was quite a cake" And
Mrs. Eisenhower chimed in with
a grin:
"All right now, Grandpa, you
just leave it alone"
And, like many another hus-
band, he did.