Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-01
AFTER TWO O'CLOCK.
Amusing Incidents that Have Occurred
At the Treasury Door.

Amusing incidents that Have Occurred
At the Treasury Door.
PROMINENT PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN DENIED
ADMIssION-HOw THE PREsIDENTCAME TO PLAY
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. GRESHAM KEPT OUT
OF HIS OWN DEPARTMENT-How THE wATcHMEN
ARE PUZZLED SOMETIMES.
The old Treasury department employe was in
a conversational mood as he stopped in the cor
ridor the other afternoon for few minutes
chat with STAR reporter. The talk naturally
drifted towards the approaching cleo
ton, and the old man was telling how he was
beginning to feel somewhat ''scary" as to the
result, when he was interrupted by loud voices
at the west entrance of the department mo,
sir; it's after O'Clock, and it is impossible for
you to be admitted" said the Waterman at the
door.
"But it is only two minutes after the hour,
and besides ! have right to enter the depart
ment until the close of office hours" replied q
voice outside the door.
The old employe stopped short as he caught
sight of the face of the last speaker through the
glass door, and shutting hurriedlv to the side
of the Waterman, he whispered a few words to
him. They had an immediate effect: the door
was thrown open and the visitor entered with
word of apology from the Waterman.
THAT often happens" said tha old empOye.
as he returned to the reporter, forgetting all
about his election fears THAT man was mes
senger from one of the Cabinet officers but the
man at the door. who is there only temporarily
did not know him, and felt in duty bound to
obey the rules and refuse him admittance."
1.-The west door Is terror to new watch
man." he continued, ''for that is the entrance
used most frequently by men of prominence
when they visit the department. A man sta
toned at that door is always in dread of admit
ting some one he ought not to- whose personal
appearance would seem to indicate high Off
ca position. and he is equally fearful Of reflls-
ing admittance to some official who ought to be
allowed entrance without hesitation. Now at
the main entrance over there on 18th street it
is different The captain Of the watch is nearly
always right there, and he knows everybody.
Besides there are always two or three watch
men there, and among them ALL visitors
identity is very readily established"
PRESIDENT ARTHUR KEEPING DOOR,
'The best of them get tripped up at the west
door, though" he continued .'Why 1 saw
President Arthur denied admittance there once
1t was pleasant afternoon, and he strolled
over from the White House to speak with Secre-
taryFolger, very unusual thing. The Waterman
did not notice particularly who it was as he
slowly mounted the steps. and did not recog-
nize him until he had said After two o'clock.
sir 1t was about the time WREN Chief Clerk
Webster was running the department on the
school plan. and the watchman concluded that
1t might be about as disastrous to disobey rule
Qor the Presidents name was not on his free
llsO as not to make an exception. The Presi-
dent understood the situation and said good
naturedly, 4 don't care to come in; just take a
message to the Secretary
" But can't leave my door SIR said the
Waterman.
"'Well. I'll keep door for you while you are
gone. suggested the President and, actually
President Arthur kept watch at the west door
until the Waterman returned. There have been
lots OF other instances somewhat similar Dur
ing one of General Grants visits to Washington
not great while ago. he WAS denied admit
lance at the west door. and he didn't get in
until the man at the door was thoroughly salts
ned as to who he was.
THE NEW CONTROLLER STOPPED.
Shortly after Mr.. Cannon's appointment as
controller of the currency" the speaker went
on. she was stopped at the west door as he was
returning from a visit to the White House.
You see, his face wasn't known, and he is such
young-looking man with no official airs, that
the Waterman didn't believe that he was the
new controller. He wasn't detained outside
long, though. you can bet The President g
private secretary, Mr.. Phillips was halted the
other afternoon. The Waterman on duty didn't
know him, but allowed him to enter at once
when told who he was. How long have YOU
been IN government seryice?' said Mr.. Phillips,
turning to the Waterman.
" Sixteen years. was the reply.
81 should think you ought to know me
them" he said, as he passed along the corridor.
REFUSED ADMITTANCE TO - HIS, OWN DEPART
MENT
"The best joke of all though" continued the
old employee sis that the Secretary of the
Treasury was actually refused admittance to his
own department. 1t was only day or two
after his appointment as Secretary of the
Treasury that Gen. Gresham came sauntering
up the steps to the west door. He was greeted
with After two o'clock, SIR Explanations and
apologies followed. 1t is but just to say. how
ever. that these mistakes are not the fault Of
the Waterman. The rules governing the Treas
ury watch are necessarily strict aud a. watch
mans best recommendation is that he obeys the
rules The men on the force are assigned posts
of duty. and there they stay They can't 20
about and become familiar with the appearance
OF outsiders. They know man after he has
once passed through the door. but. it is not
surprising If stranger. although prominent,
is not recognized at once"