Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-10-08
PRESIDENTS SAFETY
Better Protection Needed for the
Nations Chief Magistrate.
IUNATICS WORSE THAN ANARCHISTS.
a Woman Some Time Ago Threatened
Both the Llfe.of President Roosevelt
and His Then Private Secretary.
Mr.. CortsIyOu.

Washington, Oct. 7.-Following In
tense relief that President Roosevelt
was not reached by Peter Elliott, the
demented Swede machinist, who wal
subdued by the white house police
after q desperate struggle. there Ia
much earnest talk by government off,
cials here Of the necessity for more
strict protection Of the president from
''cranks" or anarchists.
I Among other serious cases that have
come to light since the violent at
tempt Of Elliott, is that Of o woman,
who last spring threatened both the
life Of President Roosevelt and Mr..
Cortelyou, who was then secretary to
the president. She appeared at the
main entrance Of the white house and
ut first attracted no attention, being
well dressed and apparently in good
circumstances. One Of the white house
guards, engaging her In conversation,
discovered that he was mentally un-
balanced, and without attracting any
attention took her to the basement on
the pretext that she was going to see
the president She was Immediately
transferred to the emergency hospital
in the same van In which Mondays
desperate encounter occurred and after
ward transferred to Pittsburg, where
she was confined In an asylum. Be-
fore reaching the hospital she said 1t
was her intention to kill the president
and Mr.. Cortelyou.
There Is q strong feeling that con-
gress stopped far short Of It's real duty
in legislation fixing the penalty for
attempts upon the presidents life.
The seriousness Of Mondays trouble
at the white house will, It is believed,
stir congress to more adequate action
ut the next session. The guard Of
secret service men at the white house
remains the some numerically as in
the past. The police force inside and
outside Of the white house has been
increased. Orders given to
them every day caution them to be on
the alert against the "cranks."
II Is not anarchists who are most
feared; II is dangerous lunatics. In
every precinct police station in Wash
lngton this order was read to the po-
lice last night: III you see any In
sane pesons coming from the direction
Of the white house, keep It quiet"
After a specially notorious Crank" is
arrested other "cranks" generally put
In an appearance and they often, upon
being questioned, say that they were
Inspired to come by the fact that 9TH
ers had done so.
Not only were extra precautions
taken to protect the person Of the
president during the memorial services
Tor the late Sir Michael Herbert, but
when the president and Mrs Roosevelt |
Ierday afternoon they were closely fol-
lowed by two bicycle policemen In |
plain clothes. Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt |
eft the white house at four o'clock,
rs has been their custom for year
past, to drive to the outskirts Of the
,ity, where saddle horses were in wait
Ing. Bicycle policemen fell in imme-
iiately behind the carriage as 1t left
The white house grounds and followed
The president to the city limits.
Three important recommendation
likely to be made by leaders in con-
gress look to the suppression Of an
Rrchists and their literature, the juris-
liction Of the special courts over any
person who threatens or attempts the
life Of the president and a proposal
Tor some international action for the
suppression Of anarchy.