Details
HARDING, Warren G. Typed letter signed ("Warren G. Harding") as President, to Rollo Ogden (1856-1937), Washington, D. C., 24 June 1922. 1½ pages, 4to, White House stationery, offset on signature page.
"GOLFING IS...A MOST DELIGHTFUL PASTIME..." COURTING The New York Times ON THE LINKS
"Golfing is really a most delightful pastime," the President tells Ogden, newly named Editor of the New York Times, "and does perform the service of bringing devotees more closely together. I have sometimes thought it had a tendency to enable a man to subdue any tendency to irritability. One thing I like about it better than all else is that it always leaves one with a hope that he will do better on the morrow. Frankly, I was considerably disappointed over the game to which I induced you. I really can play a little bit better myself than my exhibition suggested...I always held that Gillett and Kellogg are the two outstanding players in Congress..." He asks Ogden to come again to "see that some improvement is made in the ridiculous scores recorded on...your last visit."
Harding is frank enough to tell Ogden the real reason for golf outing: "I was quite sincere in saying that I would be glad to give you or your intimate associates a slant on important things at any time it is desired, assuming, of course, that it is wholly discreet to do so. I do not entertain any expectation that the Times is going to commit itself to this administration, but I do hope to have your fair consideration, and crave the support which may come through your great influence on matters to which you can give your cordial endorsement."
"GOLFING IS...A MOST DELIGHTFUL PASTIME..." COURTING The New York Times ON THE LINKS
"Golfing is really a most delightful pastime," the President tells Ogden, newly named Editor of the New York Times, "and does perform the service of bringing devotees more closely together. I have sometimes thought it had a tendency to enable a man to subdue any tendency to irritability. One thing I like about it better than all else is that it always leaves one with a hope that he will do better on the morrow. Frankly, I was considerably disappointed over the game to which I induced you. I really can play a little bit better myself than my exhibition suggested...I always held that Gillett and Kellogg are the two outstanding players in Congress..." He asks Ogden to come again to "see that some improvement is made in the ridiculous scores recorded on...your last visit."
Harding is frank enough to tell Ogden the real reason for golf outing: "I was quite sincere in saying that I would be glad to give you or your intimate associates a slant on important things at any time it is desired, assuming, of course, that it is wholly discreet to do so. I do not entertain any expectation that the Times is going to commit itself to this administration, but I do hope to have your fair consideration, and crave the support which may come through your great influence on matters to which you can give your cordial endorsement."