The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-12
Secret Service Men Are Kept
 on the Jump
SYSTEM IS WONDERFUL
MT. Roosevelt Is Constantly Guarded From Danger Since Mckinley Was KlIled-NeW Year
 Reception Perilous.
BY w. W. PRICE.

Washington, February 11.-1special.)-
 '1Iands out of your pocketsF
 ''IIat in your left handH'
 The orders were quietly spoken, but they were said so firmly that they were never once disobeyed
 They showed that no President of the United States will ever again have his life in danger from man or woman ap- preaching him with extended hand, cov- cred by a hat or handkerchief or some thing else, and underneath a deadly weapon. Neither will any person ever get the opportunity of shooting at President through the pockets of coat or overcoat. The secret service will see to that.
 It was January 1 when these orders were given to a few of the four or i've thousand visitors who shook hands with the chief executive in the blue parlor Of the White House. The long line of people, representing every type on the face Of the earth, passed in through the main north door, across the corridor to the red par Tor, through there to the blue parlor, where the President stood surrounded by his receiving party, and, incidentally, by two secret service officers.
 Just at the door where the line entered the blue parlor within twenty feet of the President, stood Chief Wilhie of the se- cret service and one of his keenest, brightest men. The orders were imper- ative that no man should pass in through that door with his right hand holding his hat or covered in any form; or with his right hand In his right overcoat pocket. The day was cold and everybody wore an overcoat. The line of people passed in between the two sleuths, and whenever a man carried his hat in his right hand or his right hand in his pockets he heard the quick but quiet command mentioned. There was instant obedience, too.
 Every person passed the President on his right and shook hands with the right hand Consequently the precaution was a good one. These immense receptions are so arranged too, that the man in line does not see the President until right upon him, and it frequently happens that a slow-wtted fellow has shaken hands with the President and gotten few steps beyond before he realizes that his desire has already been gratified.
 President Has No Fear.
 The President himself gives little con sideration to the possibilities of harm from contact with thousands of curiosity moved people. He has often said that if the life of a president is sought It would be easy to take from a distance with a rifle or some other long distance weapon. but those whose duty 1t is to guard the President carefully leave nothing undone to protect him against possibilities of various kinds. They devise all recep- tons with as much view to his comfort and safety as to anything else. The great New Year receptions at the White House furnish opehing5 that are not rel ished, and that is why Secret Service men and policemen are on duty every few feet inside the building and keep so close q watch on the thousands of people. No one is refused place in the line on that day, no matter who he Is, what his record, or how forbiddng ne looks. The great event Is truly to the public and If Wash ington were a city like New York or Chicago if would be impossible to con tinue these receptions by reason of the low characters who would take advant- age of the chance to get into the White House on mischief bent and especially to work amonC the throng of people who re- main in the parlors to watch what Is going on. But Washington is still pretty free of such a class. Tho local thieves are of two low an order to pass the watching police.
 Many people hope President Roosevelt will decide to abolish the New Year re- captions to the public. It was a custom that originated with Presidents when Washington was a city of a few thous- and people. The New Year crowds at the inception of the custom. probably never exceeded a thousand people and they were mostly those in official life and per sonal friends of the chief executive. Slowly the reception has become one of physical endurance with the President. He must stand on his feet for three hours or more and work his right hand up and down 5000 to 10000 times just to follow precedent. At the last reception Presi- dent Roosevelt shook hands with near ly $500 people and he was doing nothing else for three and a quarter hours. Just think of requiring that much physical ex- ertion from the head of the nation! It would be better TOT tho President to head a parade and be wheeled around the city so that he could be seen by the people.
 Rush on New Years Day.
 Washington people are usually so accus- toned to presidents senators, cabinet or