Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-10

come incapacitated. There has
been some chatter about usur-
patton Of powers by myself or
others on the Presidents stan
There has been a good deal OF
misleading claptrap about the
activities of the Vice President,
In my book he has performed
admirably these past two weeks
and on the previous occasions
when the President has been
taken Ill, Let's go back over
the sequence Of events in this
recent illness.
Events Of Illness
The first indication that the
President was indiSposed was
his own statement Of feeling
chilled after returning from the
Washington airport. where he
weAt to meet officially the head
of a foreign state. He had to
stand in the cold for a con-
siderable time, When he re-
turned to his Office. his personal
secretary noticed a speech diff
f1culty. This she at once COM
municated to me and to the
secretary OF the Presidents
staff. Almost coincidentally. the
President remarked that he still
felt chilled. He thereupon went
TO the White House and went
to bed.
The doctor was called at
once. In turn the Presidents
doctor in consultation with
other doctors diagnosed that
the President had sustained
what people commonly call a
minor stroke-a term doctors
avoid unless the impairment is
far more serious than the Pres
ident's was. In medical terms,
as understand them. the word
stroke" is used only when
there is a paralysis or a
hemorrhage. or both. The Pres
ident had neither,
Meanwhile. on the business
side Of the White House. lot
Of things were going on.
I at once telephoned the Vice
President and advised him OF
the Presidents illness: Tbs
same message was communi-
Gated to various members OF
the Presidents Cabinet. Key
members Of the White House
staff. we're notified. Meetings
we're quickly arranged with
eight or ten Of this group in
order to reSchedule events
planned for the Presidents per-
sonal participation.
Busy Time Of Year
I need hardly to remind this
audience that at this particular
time Of year the burdens Of the
Presidency are at their heav-
lest. This is the time for COM
pleting the Federal budget fol
submission to the Congress in
January. This is the time FOL
firming up the President
legislative program for the
coming session. This is also
the time for completing the
annual State of the Union
Message to Congress. the Budg.
ct Message. the Economic Re-
port. such special messages as
may be needed. and generally
laying the foundation FOR
meeting the Nations problam:
for the next IL months.
In the meantime, certain
Presidential duties 60 right
along. Of course-as for in
stance determining the rela-
tiohship Of the United States
TO the NATO meeting in Paris
a week hence. handling the
daJ to-day foreign problems Of
our country. processing official
papers that require the per-
sonal approval Of the President
either by law or pursuant &c
the Constitution.
So at this time Of year, wher
most Americans are figuring
out their Christmas shopping
normally the President and hi
Official associates are heavily
engaged in preparing quite diff
ferent kinds Of lists and pre-.
pairing greetings TO the Con
greSs that could scarcely q
under the heading Of Christ
mas cards or lighthearted vel
comes TO the new year.
So. in such a time. the order
ly functioning OF the Govern
ment goes on. The preparation!
work incident to the final de-
cisions Of the President is thu
responsibility Of the Whit
House staff and members o
the Presidents ofiicial family
At no time during this recen
illness has the President beer
unable to carry out his consti
tutional duties. or unable Y
make clear-cut. responsible de
cisions.
Recuperative Powers
am reminded that in eacl
OF the Presidents illnesses. IN
recuperative powers have as
tonished his doctors. The lates
occurrence was no exception.
You may recall the doctors
report that the President woult
have to stay relatively quie
and avoid excessive pressure
and strain for a reasonable
time. / don't know what a rea
sonable time means exactly
but l can certainly tell yol
this. the night the Presiden
sustained his latest trouble, h
was almost adamant about at
tending the state dinner he hat
arranged for the King Of Mo
rocco. The day afterwards h
put up vigorous argumen
about coming TO his Office, thei
talked seriously about holdinl
a press conference. Failing y
talk the doctors into either o
these ventures. he directed tina
stan members bring him GER
tain documents. and this wa