The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-18
NO PUMP HANDLING
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT EsTAB-
LIsHEs WISE RULE AT THE
WHITE HOUSE
WON'T RECEIVE DELEGATIONS
Reception to Every Organization
That Happens to- Meet in WASH
ington Takes. Toe Much
of His Times
FROM THE GLOBE BUREAU,
WASHINGTON, d. G. ~ -

WASHINGTON, Dec. H.GEvery step
taken toward more efficient safeguards
about the presidential office should re-
ceive the approval of stlie1soiid citizenship
of the country. With three assassina-
tons among the last seven elected presi-
dents, no argument is needed in behalf
of some White house exclusiveness, and
even where attacks Of violence are not
within the range of possibility, it is wise
to hedge the office about with such re
strictions as will conserve the occupant S
strength and save his time for the real
duties to which he is called. President
Roosevelt with all the freedom which
he gives business callers at the White
house, has instituted some reforms IN
the direction Of eXclusiveness that de-
serve the cordial support of the public,
even though they temporarily occasion
some annoyance to those persons affect.
ed adversely.
A good illustration of this arose this
week. The wen known Greek letter fra
ternity, the Delta Kappa Epsilon, is in
session here at the New Willard in its
usual convocation, with delegates from
all parts of the country, numbering per-
haps 100. Mr.. Roosevelt is said to he
the first president of the United States
upon whom this organization has any
claim, for he was "Deke'' at Harvard,
and yet he is the first president who has
declined to receive the delegates. Sec
rotary Long, also Harvard deke, ae-
cepted an invitation to the banquet which
took place Friday evening. Now, no one
supposes for a moment that this action
on the presidents part indicates any lack
of cordiality toward the membership Of
this order or has anything to do with
the non-fraternal attitude of the Harvard
chapter and the dekeS themselves, al
though personally disappointed at not
having a chance to give the grip to q
fellow member in the White house, can
not question the wisdom rof his course
or do else than admire his courage in ad
herring to it. Some weeks ago, when he
was informed by a caller that the dekes
were coming, he said,4 impulsively:
Bring them up to see, me. I want to
shake hands with the boys When the
committee went around to arrange for
the formal acceptance of this invitation
they found new rule of the White house
which the president asked to be excused
from breaking. e ~
Good Common Sense.
This old practice Of 'pump-handle re-
ceptions' has been abandoned, and al
though it's abandonment is said to be
"bad politics it is to be hoped that the
common sense of the country will come
to it's support. Mr.. Roosevelt has thus
far drawn the line sharply; he did not
receive the reciprocity convention, al
though comforting with a committee sent
by it to see him; he will not receive the
delegates to the American Economic
association, or the American Historical
association both of which meet here dur
ing the holidays, and already quite list
of such organizations which have had the
same experience as the D. K. E. might
be made. Every president before his
time has received all reputable organiza
lions which have met in this city, and in
many instances those which have met
in Baltimore. The presidents wife has
in the same way received organizations
of women like the D. A. r., and the
Mothers congress. The Whole practice
is senseless; it sounds well on the pro-
gramme and advertisements to mention
as an attraction the reception at the
White house, but it is safe to say that
no occupant of that mansion ever en-
joyed this duty, and it, Is one of the
first maXims of politeneSs not to call upon
those who do not enjoy seeing you. The
reason presidents and their wives dis
like these huge receptions is because Of
their tiresome character. There, will all
ways be among thousand persons
enough who will attempt to utilize the oc-
CASTOR for some other purpose than that
intended to give the host or hostess some
considerable annoyance.
President Roosevelt has also closed the
gates to the grounds on the south of the
White house SO that they can no longer
be used as thoroughfare by people
walking between the State, War and
Navy Department building. This Is a
step in the right direction, too. With
the entire north front of the White house
open to the public all the time, seven days
in the week, and with the East room
and it's approaches open from 10 until 2
each day, and with the third of the sec
ond floor occupied with official business
and callers, the presidents family is GER
tainly entitled to the little privacy which
the grounds on the southern slope, to-
ward the monument and the river, gfveA
them.