The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-05-16
WHEN THE
PRESIDENT TRAVELS.
MANY PRECAUTIONS.
As Safe as the White House.

| Henry Litchfeld West in The Saturday Evening
President McKinley's trip West will
be the longest journey undertaken by
him since his election to his high
office. For more than a month rail.
road train will be his moving home
and the citizens OF the Republic will
read with daily interest the story OF
his triumphal progress. This extended
trip will be from Washington to Cali
fornia. The President will travel at
least 10000 miles. He will be seen
and heard by hundreds of thousands of
people, but only few-a very few
will enjoy the privilege Of being his
fellow-passengers. And even these few
will know but little of the details OF
running the Presidents train or of the
precautions necessary to avoid mishap.
These details are the more interesting
because in this country the railroad
officials cannot paralyze the business
Of their roads, closing all the stations
and withdrawing all the trains, as was
done in England whenever the Queen
travelled. They must assure absolute
safety to the President without incqn-
yeniencing the travelling public.
1t gees without saying, in these days
Of competition and advertising, that
the President does not lack Tor oppor-
tunity to accept the courtesy OF rail
roads. In fact, the rivalry for his iayor
begins AS soon as his proposed tour is
hinted at IN the newspapers When
the route has been selected, the private
Car OF the president of the road is
placed at the disposal Of the President
OF the United States. These private
cars are generally very plain as to the
outside, ,boinE painted the standard
color of the road and distinguished by
an lnconsplcuous number, but within
they are planned for every comfort and
furnished with every convenience.
The che: OF the car always accompanies
1t, Tor the Presidents meals are served
privately, no matter how we'll appoint
ed the accompanying dining car may
be. The larder is filled by the Chef,
who is given carte blanche, and the
Preside At rarely troubles himself about
the menu. Mr.. Mckinley asks only
plain, well-cooked food. He has not
the epicurean tastes Of the late Presi-
dent Arthur, for example, and the chef
finds him not difficult to please.
The important position which the
chef occupies was well illustrated by
two incidents on the trip OF the Presi-
dent to the Nashville Exposition. On
the way South the chef cooked mess
of trout with such perfect skill that he
was summoned to the Executives
presence for deserved COMMUNICATION.
When the message was conveyed to
the chef, the answer was as unexpected
as it was firm. eff the President wants
me" he said, surveying his little king
dom of pots and pans, che can find me
here" And there, 1t might be added,
the chef remained.
The other incident occurred at
Chattanooga. The train was to start
at two o'clock on Monday morning,
the President desiring to ayoid Sunday
travel, but the night was SO unbearably
hot that the President sanctioned the
moving Of the train at ten O'Clock Sun
day night to suburb about eight
miles from the city. Everybody was
on board except the chef. That inde-
pendent and indispensable gentleman
appeared at the station at, two O'Clock
In the morning, according to the origi-
nal schedule time. Imagine his eur
prise when he found an engine and
coach waiting for him. He rode in
solitary dignity out to the suburb and
Was then transferred to the Presidents
car. "It Is the first time I ever knew
OF special train being run tor cook, "
s1id the superintendent OF the road
with disgust in his voice, as he gave
orders to have the engine and coach
cent back to the city.
In the preparation for Presidential
"trip the one overwhelming, oyershad-
owing consideration is the safe con-
yeyance of the President to his desti-
nation and his unharmed return. Not
only would an accident he national
calamity, but the road guilty of the
negligence which made the mishap
possible would never recover from
public censure.
MR.. M'K1sLEy's TRAVELLING PICKET LINE.
First of all, tho percentage Of possi-
bility OF accident is reduced to mini
mum in the selection of cars for the
Presidents train. New coaches, which
have just left the chop. are preferred.
Axles, wheels, springs, journals, brakes,
fact. all OF the impor-
tant factors in the makeup OF train
=.