Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

When President Roosevelt and his party
reached Omaha they had covered 4,O11 miles
by rail since starting out from Washing
ton and had still two-thirds OF their jour
ney to complete. When they shall have
returned to the national capital, the spe-
cial train placed at their disposal will have
been hauled ia, 1856 miles. When the presi-
dent arrived in Omaha be had been out
twenty-seven days out Of sixty-six days that
his vacation tour is to consume. For this
great trip, encircling half the country and
almost equal TO a girdle round the globe,
every possible convenience was, OF course,
prepared and every detail that could be
foreseen provided for. The presidential
train in equipment is without question the
nearest TO the moving palace that has been
reached in modern railroadlng. 1t pro-
vides a special car for the president and
his immediate guests. with observation
room, smoking room, sleeping apartments.
bath and refectory. a compartment car
for the secretaries, stenographers, secret
service men, etc; a sleeping car for the
newspaper and telegraph representatives,
a luxurious smoking car with barber shop,
etc, and a special baggage car. The com
bination smoking-room car was part Of the
beautiful exhibition train that was dis
played at the Chicago worlds fair, re-
fitted with darker draperies.
While travelling the president as a rule
remains in his own car, communicating
with other members Of the party by mes
senger, receiving them in his quarters oc-
casionally. The presidents secretary. Mr..
Loeb, is the administrative head OF the
train and might properly be called the gem
eral manager of the tour. Secretary Loeb
has the responsibility for the conduct OF
the party, the admission OF guests to the
cars. the reception Of visitors by the presi-
dent-in fact Is the final arbiter Of all the
hundred and one questions that must be de-
~cided daily and cannot be decided until
conditions actually present themselves.
notwithstanding the fact that he has been
far from we'll during much of the trip. the
perfection OF the details and the smooth
ness OF their execution attests the success
OF Secretary Loeb in this trying capacity.
PRESIDENT Roosevelt seems to enjoy his
trip and to get the most out of every min
ute OF 1t. But it is by no means all play.
Al the principal stopping point each day
the mail which is of urgent Importance Is
delivered, being transmitted from Washing
ton TO the special care of the postmaster a;
ma ~ INSTRUCTIONS IOr prompt
service to the presidential train. The three
photographers who go along are not re-
CURED simply TO take down and transcribs
speechos-although they take down every
word the president says in public-but they
are kept busy with official correspondents
and much OF the time enroute
The president when not entertaining guest.
or engaged at work devotes himself to read.
ing. He keeps up with the contents OF tho
newspapers each day and brouses In the cur.
rent magazines, with now and then a book
With such constant Interruptions it /,
amazing that he manages to do as much
solid reading as he does.
The utmost precaution is. taken for tbs
presidents personal safety. A detail OF Sc.
cret service men are constantly with hin
whenever he is exposed to the public ana
no one can get near the president unless
fairly known to these men or on bushes.
that entities him to access to his presence
One Of the secret service men always rides
on the box of the carriage conveying tht
president and others have places in thu
carriage Immediately following. When the
president mounts a platform or reviewing
stand these men always cling close to him
The president is literally surrounded BY
bodyguards whenever be moves-they catcl
hold Of him and push him along. throwing
the crowds back and moving almost on tn,
run. Before people know II the presiden
is whisked in or out OF his carriage ant
driven away at a fast gallop.
President Roosevelt is easy to handle,
said one of the secret service men to me
"He is less trouble to us than was Presi
dent Mckinley. for he helps us out. II any