Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-30
now THE PRESIDENT IS GUARDED


Many persons read in the daily papers
a few days ago the statement that a
dangerous Crank" had made an effort
10 see the President and was intercept
ed by the attendants. but 1t is doubtful
n many Of the readers realize how COM
plete is the precautionary system which
resulted in the capture just mentioned
Nine-tenths Of the people who have
visited the White House have Imagined
that thcre was no police system what
ever In force Many have commented
on the fact. This general belief in
It's nOu-eXistence constitutes probably
the highest tribute which could be paid
20 the guard system at the executive
mansion The force consists primarily
OF fifteen policemen. divided into three
squads Of five. who surround the White
House every minute of the tWenty-tOur
hours, and are IN charge Of sergeant
who may be quickly communicated
with at the watch house At the watch-
house also are a clerk and operator who
manage the working apparatus. which
includes a telephone IN direct connec-
ton with police headquarters. Signal
buttons located in every portion Of the
grounds operated by. means of a secret
code quickly register a call for assist
ance should fire break out or a crank
become unmunageabe. on the days
Of public receptions and other occa-
sions which attract a large crowd OF
visitors, the regular force Is increased.
No uniformed policemen are stationed
within the White House, but all the
...r. o.. I'd TA
WatChfulness are concerned, virtually
guards. An indication Of the care which
has always been exercised at the White
House is found in the fact that no harm
has ever come TO a President within
the grounds of the executive mansion.
The two assassinations Of Presidents
which have occurred took place
at points some distance from
the official residence and so
far as known no attempt on the Presi-
dents life was ever planned for eXecu-
ton at his Washington home Nor
with q single exception was admit
lance ever gained % the White House
by any person suspected of intending
90 harm the chief magistrate. Even In
this case the suspicious aroused were
10 a certain extent unjustlhed, for II de-
veloped that the purpose OF the intruder
was simply 10 gain nOtOriety by Great
ing scene rather than TO iniiict any
injury upon the person Of the President
II precautions for the safety Of the
President and his family are apparently
lacking al the White House however
there is certainly no relaxation Of vigil
lance when the head Of our national
government makes "a Journey through
the country The officials OF all the
cities which will be visited are apprised
Of the exact hour OF the Presidents ar
rival and requested 20 see 20 II that
adequate police protection Is provided
The President Is seldom a guest at q
hotel so that the precautions which
would be necessary I'm a large hostelry
may be dispensed with; but consider
able degree Of watchfulness Is usually
exercised at banQuets where the Presi-
dent Is 10 be a speaker particularly
N they be I'm large cities like New YOrs !
or Chicago whore the number OF
"cranks' who might seek 10 intrude at |
the festivities is naturally supposed 70 |
be large. OF all the persons, however, |
whose duty II Is 10 look after the safety |
of the American ruler the railroad OFF, |
cials over whose line the Presidential |
special is schedul d TO pass are probably |
subjected 10 the seyerest tension. II |
extends TO every employe from the /
track-walker. who must see that no et- /
fort is made 20 wreck the special train, !
to the general superintendent upon |
whom responsibility for the life OF The /
President and his party rests from the /
time the private cars roll onto the rails /
OF his line.-Self Culture Magazine ics /
April.