Reagan Willing but Aides Hold Work to Hour

President Reagan says he’s “eager to get back to work” after cancer surgery but White House aides restricted his schedule to less than an hour of meetings today and have booked no appointments beyond Tuesday’s abbreviated appearance with President Li Xiannian of China.

The 74-year-old Reagan, who looked remarkably fit as he returned to the White House on Saturday, is working and resting in the family quarters. White House aides say he may make a brief appearance in the Oval Office before week’s end.

Presidential spokesman Larry Speakes said today that after Reagan heard on Sunday only three votes were needed to cut off Senate debate and move to a vote on a bill giving the President greater power over federal spending, he asked for the names of some swing voters and began lobbying by telephone.

Alerted by TV

Speakes said Reagan learned of the situation listening to Senate Republican leader Bob Dole on television.

On the show, Dole also called on Reagan to “step into the breach” of the budget battle, but Speakes said today: “This is a matter for Congress. The White House has been with them every step of the way and it’s up to them.”

However, Speakes said Reagan expects to meet with congressional leaders later this week and may seek to break the 6-week-old budget logjam in telephone calls to members of Congress.

Told of the White House comments, Dole was restrained: “I didn’t know Speakes had gotten into it,” he said.

Meets Bush, Top Aides

Reagan met for about 40 minutes today with Vice President George Bush, White House Chief of Staff Donald T. Regan and national security adviser Robert C. McFarlane in the upstairs living room of the White House.

A haircut also was on the agenda.

Aides said Reagan will be on a light duty schedule as he gradually builds up strength from major abdominal surgery nine days ago. Doctors have said it will take up to eight weeks before the President is back in top form.