The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-08

appoint each day tnaI ne must tSh '1N
newspaper correspondents what they
should know without seeming TO suppress
information: that he must remember every
public man he has ever met; that ne must
be o,,ick to grasp what each caller wants
and be fully informed on every subject
and that he must be the buffer between the
President and the public, it becomes appar-
ent that unusual talents are required OF
him. Mr.. Cortelyou has earned the Presi-
dents confidence, and he does more execu-
tive work than any previous secretary. He
has been so successful in systematizing the
work of his office that it is better and more
promptly done than ever before.
The extent OF President McKinley's cor
respondence can be appreciated from the
fact that 100000 communications were re-
ceived and disposed OF at the executive Of
fees in his first term. Mr.. COrtelyou with
a force composed almost exclusively OF
stenographers, who. read each others notes
with facility, has dispensed with an i'm
mense amount Of unnecessary work. When
a letter or document Is received a memo
randum to show what is TO be done with
Il. is written I'm shorthand in its upper left
hand corner. This is kept on the paper until
Il comes back to the secretary for approx
al A letter IS then written by clerk in
conformity with the memorandum Thus,
in most Of the correspondence. there is no
dictation. a precedent index" prepared
by Secretary COrtelyou. covering practical
~ every case that is likely to arise, serves
as a guide to the clerks in answering cor
respondence and lessons the work material
" When a letter is of sufficient import
ance TO be filed in the executive Offices the
shorthand notes are preserved with It. so
the exact action taken can be learned at
glance Every important paper is briefed
in typewriting, and when necessary this
brief is filed with the papers, giving an &C
curate record. Approaching the Importance
OF expediting business, Mr.. Cortelyou pre-
pared and had printed a number of in
dOrsement pastors, which are attached to
papers referred 10 other departments. Con-
EequentIy, when communication comes to
the White House that should go to the De-
partment of State, a paster referring it
there is attached and, thus Endorsed, it is
forwarded rule of the executive offices
requires that the work of each desk be fin
ished on the day of its receipt. This pre-
vents an accumulation Of work and keeps
II up to date.
ROUTINE OF TRAVEL.
When the President makes a journey his
secretary. and several members Of the
White House clerical force accompany him.
All speeches made on the trip are reported
stenographically. Copies are furnished the
newspaper men with the party. and a spe-
cial copy is preserved for the office records.
photographers from the office force are also
with the President, and he IS Kept in con-
slant touch with Washington. The war
roor1," where several telegraphers are al
-, II
munication with every part of the world.
Here cipher dispatches are received and he
is kept advised Of every important event.
With such a system, so much work and
such a force there is no idling in the execu-
tive offices.
President Mckinley is rather an early
riser. He breakfasts at and reads the pa
pers until shortly before TO- when he goes
TO the Cabinet room. which he makes his
private office. There on his desk he finds a
neat, typewriter paper. headed: 1.-THE
Presidents Engagement" and dated. Upon
this is the name Of each caller who has a
specific engagement, and line stating the
purpose of the visit. Mr.. Mckinley receives
his caller at the head Of the Cabinet table
often, however, stepping forward to meet
him. A cordial handgrasp is given and he
waits for the visitor 30 state his business.
1ie usually remains standing during the in
terview, but if he sits down il is time to
retire when he arises. On his desk the Pres
ident finds papers relating to the questions
that are apt to come up, as well as others
that require immediate attention. His en-
gagementS are subject to interruption by
the arrival OF a Cabinet officer, q senator
representative. Each visitor IS made to
feel that he is welcome. More than any re-
cent President he has caused his political
opponents to find il a pleasure TO call At
times he persuades them Of the desirability
of something he wishes done, so IL is often
difficult to muster aggressive opposition
90 his policies among the minority Bitterly
he may be criticised by the minority,
there Is no one who IS not on friendly terms
with him.
1t is not always necessary, though bet
ter. to make an engagement to see the
President On Tuesdays and Fridays, Cabi-
net meeting days, he receives no visitors
except senators and representatives and
these only from 10 to II. On other week
days he is accessible from 10 to half past
]. Promptly at the latter hour Captain
Loeffier. I'm charge OF the door to the Cabi-
net room, who has been there since the
days Of Lincoln, enters and tells the Presi-
OeuL the HOuT. mat Is the Slgnal Tor lunch
con. Except in long protracted Cabinet
meetings he never fails to start promptly
for the dining room, an invariable rule to
prevent irregularity and injury to his
health. Before his severe attack of grin
last winter the President often saw callers
in the afternoon from TO 4. After lunch
con he goes TO the red bedroom" now
comfortable sitting room, facing south and
overlooking the Potomac. There he works,
either alone or with his secretary, trans
acting public business, deciding upon ap-
pointments and considering other cues
tions. When he is thus engaged the Presi-
dent Is not interrupted even by Cabinet
officers, unless they are summoned. When
in health Mrs. Mckinley was wont TO be
there with him, busy with some fancy
work.
HIS RECREATION.
At Mr.. Mckinley goes out driving with
Mrs. Mckinley, or takes a walk. Sometimes
in the morning, when the weather is favor
able, he goes walking with some friend or
his secretary. On returning from his after
noon outing he sleeps for half an hour,
having the faculty of laying aside cares
and going to sleep easily. This nap is more
refreshing than rest at any other time. It
means renewed strength and peace after a
troublesome day habit that is his physi-