Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-09

4Qe RTeSlUSIlIs Lie pICSc oCC-
rotary has told me there has beer
some curiosity about the sojourr
here in Key West and its effect
on me. The question seems to
be numerous enough to point ur
the idea that even you people
might be slightly interested, SC
I thought I would come over and
tell you about my reactions.
First of all. the doctor tells me
that what he calls my vital ca
pacity Is very much improved
I don't now the meaing of the
term, and so there's no use ask
ing me about it.
But feel very much better
stronger-and much more able
to get about.
The whole experience has been
a pleasant one.
You people have experienced. as
well as I have. the hospitality OF
the base and of the-of the peo-
pie of Key West, both official and
unofficial. To all of them I am
grateful, as I am sure you are
For-on the wor kSide, there
have been a number Of things
that had to be done in the early
part of the visit here-working
on the state-of the Union mes
sage talk, and then more recently
the detailed program on the
farm problem. which is-remains
with us as a very difficult spot
in our economy.
Likes Imagination
What have liked about the
program that will go to Con-
gress tomorrow, when we all
get back to Washington. is its
imagination. 1t approaches the
problem in the effort to relieve
the-the economic difficulties OF
the farm community at present,
but it does so with an eye to the
future as to-paricularly in the
conservation field. in conserving
our soil and resourceS-getting
land into the proper kind of
crops. instead of into those that
bring a pile-up of SURPRISES.
The whole plan is a nine-point
program and will attack this
problem on a many-Sided front,
and We believe, represents a very
splendid and effective addition to
the farm legislation now existing
Finally. of course, it has been
a very splendid period of just
sheer recreation for me, and
am going back tomorrow I think
as ready to go to work as a person
could be. after the physical ex-
perience have been through.
Now, while this is far from
a general press conference, still
If there are any special ques-
tons any Of you have, will be
glad to certainly consider them
and attempt their answer.
Quizzed on Future
@. Mr.. President, are you
will you entertain some questions
about your political future?
The President: Well, think,
Mr.. Smith, there would be very
little reason or very little, you
might say. benefit - value - in
discussing it this morning. for
this reason: They are-all of
the considerations that apply to
such things are complicated. and
it takes not only a thorough
studying of each one before you
are ready to talk on them, but
naturally l will want to confer
with some of my most trusted
advisers. and this particular
thing has not been greatly
talked about by me with my own
people up to date.
@. Mr.. President. does that
mean, as of this moment, you
have not made up your mind
as to whether you will run for
a second term?
The President: 1t means as
of this moment I have not made
up my mind to make any an
nouncement. Claughter)
@. Mr.. President. Ruth. U. S.
News and World Report. Do you
consider the Presidency the most
physically taxing job you have
ever had?
The President: Well. I don't
know whether you can give a
straight yes or no answer to
that am sorry-but you do
have this situation: Every prob
lem that you take up has inevi-
tably a terrific meaning for many
millions Of people. so there is
no problem that comes up in
the presidency-even some that
appear trivial-that are handled
as easily as you would handle
your own daily living. or even
something in the military. or in
other activities in which I have
been engaged.
would say that the preSi-
dency is probably the most tax
ing job on the-as far as firing
of the mind and spirit; but it
also has, as I have said before,
its inspirations which tend to
counteract each other.
Most Wearing Job
So I really can't say. There
have been times in war when ]
thought nothing could be quite
as wearing and taxing as that
with lives directly involved. But
I would say on the whole. this
is the most wearing although
not necessarily the most firing.
@. Mr.. President, Larry Burd,
Chicago Tribune. Some Repub-
lican leaders have suggested that
If you are able, you might run
again out of a sense Of duty. and
If you feel able and the doctors
concur in that. do you feel a
sense Of duty to run again?
THE PRESIDENT: Well,
certainly sincerely trust that all
of my actions in respect to pub
lie duty nver the mast 40 wears