Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-07-05
Mr.. ROOTS CIPHER KNOCK.
How Senator Foraker Got Angry and
Happened to Give Right Number.

Secretary Root has adopted a certain
cipher knock without which magic
sesame the doors Of his Office in the
war department remain closed to visit
ors after . O'Clock each day.
The new scheme worked ike a charm,
and senators, representatives,, tourists,
and other unwecome callers have gone
up against the door and knocked TIL
their knuckles were sore without result,
because they aid not know the secret
code. Since the lockout has been placed
az O'Clock instead Of 3 the casualtiea
have been even greater, although no
cabinet officer has fallen a victim since
the memorable occasion when Secretary
Hay tried all the knocks he knew
The other day, however, Senator For
aker triumphed over the door without
the faintest knowledge of the open
sesame. and he he's been chuckling over
his victory ever since. The countersign
knock has by this time become q matter
OF nOtOrlety 70 congressman, so many
OF them having fallen victims TO 1t. Ac-
c0rdngly. when Mr.. Foraker arrived at
the war department and found the
doors locked, he knew what il meant,
gul itoaucd. The stories his colleagues
had tod Of their vain efforts 10 learn
the c0untcrsign flashed across his mind.
He has taken pains to get there before
9 O'clock so as % avoid the usual de-
feat. and yet the doors were locked. He
knew that behind il were three sturdy
calorod men, who would listen compla-
Gently TO his futile knocks and never
stir toward the do0rknob. Nay, more,
they would probably grin.
But Mr. Foraker Is not one 20 give in
easily lie frowned again, bit his Mp
and dashed his fist ferocl0usly against
the door Then he listened and thought
he heared a faraway chuckle on the
other side. His scowl grew deeper and
he ratified the do0rknob impotently,
conscious that a group of newspaper
men, sworn TO secrecy about the COR
rect fraternity knock. were regarding
him gravely and that the secretary's
men were chuckling on the other side.
Then Mr.. Foraker stepped away and
thought for moment His anger over
came him. and he decided to return and
give few hammers on the door just TO
express his opinion Of IL. Accordingly
he raised his fist and gave it'll would
never do TO tell how many knocks he
gave, or in what way he gave them, but
he knocked In an unusual way. This
was simply because he was angry.
As the last knock rang out an an
swering kunckle sounded on the inside
Mr. Foraker deemins this mere sar-
casm, hit the door again. To his in
tense establishment Il flew open and a
bowling attendant stood before him, in
viting him to the sectetary's presence.
He had accidentally hit on the right
knock. AS for the attendant who had
supposed il 10 be a war department
clerk. he was dumfounded.
Walk right in, senator" he gasped.
And as the senator vanished In the Sec
retarys room he caught the words.
How ala he ever learn that knock"
Mr. Foraker came out Of the secre-
tarys room beaming all over. after a
most satisfactory interview. lie has
done something that few other visitors
have accomplished. Only one thing
bothers him now--hc wishes he could
remember that Washington
Letter