Page "Warren G. Harding" Paragraph 90

Harding's lifestyle at the White House was fairly unconventional compared to his predecessor President Woodrow Wilson.

Upstairs at the White House, in the Yellow Oval Room, President Harding allowed bootleg whiskey to be freely given to his guests during after-dinner parties, at a time when the President was supposed to be enforcing Prohibition.

One witness, Alice Longworth, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, claimed that trays " with bottles containing every imaginable brand of whiskey stood about.

" Some of this alcohol had been directly confiscated from the Prohibition department by Jess Smith, assistant to U. S. Attorney General Harry Daugherty.

Mrs. Harding, also known as the " Duchess ", mixed drinks for the guests.

Harding also indulged in poker playing twice a week, smoking, and chewing tobacco.

President Harding allegedly won a $ 4, 000 pearl necktie pin at one White House poker game.

Although criticized by Prohibitionist advocate Wayne B. Wheeler over Washington, D. C. rumors of these " wild parties ", Harding claimed his personal drinking inside the White House was his own business.