The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-12
The WATCH ON THE PRESIDENT
SECRET SERVICE MEN EVER MEAD
MIR. ROOSEVELT
Change In white House Customs Cana.
by President NIcKinley's ASsaSsin,.
uon-Arduous Task OF Sleuths Nho
Go Walking With NIr. Roose,.,,

your pooketsl"
HAT In your left hand!'
These orders were quietly spoken b,,
they we're said so firmly that they wera
never once dlsobeyed They showed tb,,
President of the United States will No,
soon again be put in danger OF hi, liza
through a man or a woman approaching
him with extended hand covered by bs,
or handkerchief and holding undernear
deadly weapon. No person will 20,
the opportunity of shooting ut President
through the pocket of coat or overcoa,
The Secret Service will see TO that
IL was Jan. when these orders were civen
TO few Of the four or five thousand visitor.
who shook hands with Mr.. Roosevelt I,
the Blue parlor of the White House. Tbe
long line Of people passed in through the
main north door, across the corridor To
the Red parlor and through there to tina
Blue parlor to where the President stood
surrounded by his receiving party. and
incidentally, by Secret Service officers
Just at the door where the line entered
the Blue paror, within twenty feet Of thu
President. stood Chief WillSe, OF the Score,
Service, and one OF his best men Tina
orders were imperative 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 oyercoat
pocket.
The day was cold and every ons wore
an overcoat. The line OF people p7ssad
in between the two detectives. and when.
ever man carried his hat in his right hand
or his right hand in his pocket, he heard
the quick but quiet command mentioned.
There was instant obedience, too
| ~
his right and shook hands with tho 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 slow
witted fellow has shaken hands with the
President and got a few steps beyond be
fore he realizes that his desire has already
been gratfed
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 il the life
OF President is sought it would be easy
to take it from a distance with rife or
| some other long distance weapon But
those whose duty it is TO guard the Presi-
dent leave nothing undone TO protect him
They arrange ali receptions with as much
view to his comfort and safety az to any,
thing else. The great New Year receptions
at the White House furnish openings that
are not relished. and that is why Secret
Service men and policemen are on duty
every few feet inside the building and keep
n close watch on the movements Of thou
sands of people
Washington people are usually so 40
customed to Presidents Senator. Cabinet
officers ard other. dignitaries that they do
not interfere with the President on hi,
rounds through the city, but some thou
sands OF them will insist on Furnishing him
on New Years Day by going to the White
House to shake hands with him. AT any
other time he may walk the streets or drive
wherever he desires. and there will be no
attempt to disturb him or take up his time
by hand shaking.
Citizens who pass him raise their hats
or salute him verbally and pass on. Presi-
dent Roosevelt is frequently on Washington
streets, nearly always walking.
Several weeks ago he and Senator Lodge
OF Massachusetts walked from near the
point for the new Connecticut avenue
bridge to the White House IN just twenty
minutes. The distance is close to two
miles and they almost walked tho legs of
the Secret Service athlete whose duty Il was
TO keep near them and to watch for sus-
picious characters
That is merely sample of what the
President can do and does do in the walking
line. Shortly after Secreta ries Morton
and Metcalf entered the Cabinet he invited
them to accompany him on a stroll Of the
suburbs. When he got back with them
Secretary Metcalf an old Yale athlete.
was so sore he could hardly walk for three
days while Secretary Morton was also put
out OF the game.
President Roosevelt rare y manages 10
elude the Secret Service officers and get
away from the White Il ouse without one
or more OF them near him. They are under
the strotest instructions from Chief Wilhe
ali Of i'm, no h.,
be, and they follow these instructions
80 he Knows many Of them personally,
likes them and speaks 10 them when h.
recognizes them. He gets glinpses of some
House
When the President frs, came to WASH
ngton 10 take up the executive duties he
1ld not like the idea Of being followed
everywhere by officers. and many times
he got away from them by suddenly emery
ng from his Offices for q long walk alone
In the course Of time. however he came -
oook upon them as necessary and valuable
ne never stops to consider whether they ara
around when he goes for a walk or drive or 4
starts TO Keep an engagement. but he is not
surprised when he secs them near
The presence of Secret Service officers
wherever the President is is the outcrow'h
II the assassination Of President Mckinney
II Buffalo. Up 10 that time Secret Service
men had little place az the executive Offices
, During the four years Of President
ncNlnley INST Administration. even during
he Spanish war. there was not detnc'rH
N duty at the White House except wien
eceptions were held or there wa. some n
JUNCTION that would draw strangers T7e
ocular White House force Of ushers ever
lsed watch over the movements 81 the
resident inside the building
This did not extend to the outside presi-
ent Mckinley went for long walks through Is
he principal streets OF Washington uuac-
or followed by a soul in The
middle Of the days work when his visitors
ad grown few, he would leave hi- Offices.
o out the rear door Of the building and ~
AXE stroll through the grounds or neigh
oring streets. He wanted the sunshine n
nd fresh air. and that was the only way II
e could enjoy both He didn't care mlcn N
'r the exercise, az is the case with Pra-- Il
ent Roosevelt ~
One Secret Service officer always accom- Nh
anied President Mckinley on his journeys
trough the country. as much with the
lea OF keeping him from being too nldey m
'stled and handled by surging crowd- rs
lything else. Two detectives were with W
m when he was shot at Buffalo. bur fh7i ~
as the largest number ever with him z
trip. There are two or three times o.
any near President Roosevelt when no IT'D