Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-10-09
Presidency's Burdens
Could Be lightened if
Country Co-operotes

chore that might be minimized
even at the most mandatory white
tie reception.
Whatever may be said Of the
perfunctory attitude Of some digni-
taries, domestic or foreign, toward
that assembly-line process, Presi-
dent Eisenhower dislikes the
ciammy clasp technique. More
over. he has demonstrated that he
Is eager to know the name Of the
person presented TO him. At o
formal White House reception with
ct least 1000 guests this calls not
only for concentration but also o
degree Of sustained stamina. MoreA
over, according to custom, the
President presents each guest to
the First Lady. who stands ut his
right.
In the realm Of dinners the
President has had to 60 about
in more ways than one. These
usually have 90 to 90 guests and
generally have been followed by
an East Room concert. keeping
the President on hand and to some
extent on his feet for three or four
hours after Q hard, day ct the
once. Furthermore, when he gave
Q dinner for q foreign chief Of
state he was expected 70 return the
visit the next evening Ut an equally
formal dinner ut the Embassy Of
that country.
Less Going Out
While those engagements, or
their time consumption. can be
curtailed bit. the Presidents
biggest chance for additional eve
nings at home could result from
non-attendance at q round of
black-tie or informal dinners and
receptions.
Here again Mr.. Eisenhower viii
have to exert himself unless he is
strictly determined to abstain from
such annual affairs. In past years
he has found o source Of relaxation
at such gatherings and genuinely
enjoyed himself on q might out"
where little Manipulating and less
speechmaking was required Of him.
The President always has been
an early riser. customarily about
$50 am. Before his illness he
generally retired before II pm.
His doctor may advise him to get
more sleep, and possibly TO set q
fixed time for o brief rest every
afternoon. II 30. his commodity
Of time for necessary conferences,
study and other work would cor
respondingly make some less
pressing activities dependable.
Visitors to the Presidents once,
or on of1icial business to his White
House study, have been kept ut
what his aides believe to be an
almost irreductible minimum since
the first rush Of enthusiasts andior
job hunters following the 1858 In
auguration.
His appearances with visiting
delegations or on semi-ceremonial
occasions such as corner stone lay
ings. flower shows. public functions
and radio and TV talks for partic-
ular purposes have been less fire.
quent this year. He nevertheless
receives hundreds Of such invita-
tons monthly from all parts of
the United States, Practically all
Of them may be courteously but
understandable declined during the
next few months.
Political Worries
Then. there Is the problem Of
requests for photographs and auto
graphs. Letters Of congratulation,
coincidence. or In response to pleas
and invitations Of various sorts
are not an unsurmountable diff
Guilty. But the President may en-
counter o genuine headache during
the 1866 election year II too many
Republican candidates, for ex-
ample, ask to be pictured with
him or to have something to be
remembered py In MS personal
handwriting.
The writer's-cramp hazard Of the
Presidency is well-known, especially
when Congress winds up by sending
between 800 and 1000 bills for
signature or veto each year. Other
forms Of presidential paper-work
have been eased substantially dur.
ing the last rs years. The Presi-
dent has been able to delegate
authority to Cabinet members or
other administrators In the signing
Of such documents as military COM
missions and promotions. post
master nominations. and certain
Government regulations.
Short Of . change in the Consitu-