The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-05-09

these Presidential games. The Navy
clerks are especially favored in thai
regard, and know more about the quail
ity of tennis on the White House court
than any other persons. except the
players themselves.
The fate of this fine tennis court
which is certain ito be featured in this
history of the Republic, will be mat
ter of interest when the Roosevelts
leave the White Hor->. No one of the
candidates for the Presidency in either
of the big parties has 4 penchant for
tennis or other strenuous exercise.
likely enough the court will be dug up
md the place grassed over, unless the
next occupant OF the White House is
willing to keep it up for the pleasure
of friends or as memento of the
strenuosity of his predecessor.
Other Sporting Companions.
Some Of the Presidents tennis COM
panions share his other sports. Secre-
tary Garfield, for instance, often goes
on the long cross country walks with
him-walks that begin over in Virginia
or from some other distant point that
the President and his companions usu-
ally reach by horseback or in carriages.
For the Presidents friends have dis
suaded him from appearing much upon
the streets of Washington, except at
unexpected times and in unexpected
places. 1t has often been said that the
President can go with safety almost
anywhere that any other citizen can
go, provided his going is not heralded
in advance. But if it was his custom
when starting on an afternoon ride to
proceed up 18th street. as he used to
do when he first became President.
anyone who meditated harm could
easily watch for him on that thorofare.
Hence in more recent times, when the
President wants to go horseback riding
or walking in the country, he rides in
carriage to some point just outside
the city and begins his exercise from
there
Two Cabinet officers have been his
horseback companions a great deal
Secretary of State Root and Secretary
of War Taft. The latter is a man of
great avoirdupois, and one would think
could not enjoy equestrian exercise. On
the contrary, Secretary Taft is good
horseman, and gets lot of pleasure
out of riding into the country on a
good steed. The Presidents favorite
horseback companion among Cabinet
officers, however, is Secretary Root. 1t
was printed in some of the newspapers
not long ago that the President had
discontinued his rides with Secretary
Root, and this was taken as an evidence
that the two were not as friendly as of
Yore. But this statement was untrue
for Secretary Root still goes horseback
riding with the President, and they
often go considerable distances into
Maryland or Virginia in the late after
noon.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, of Mas
sachusetts, also goes horseback riding
with the President frequently. They
have been personal friends for many
years, and during the portion of the
year when the Senator's house on Mas
sachusetts avenue is open hardly Il
week goes by but what the President
is visitor there. He frequently goes
there to dinner. altho il is rarely
known to outsiders and, returning
from horseback. ride. the President
often stops at the Lodge residence for
a short visit.
The Presidents athletic propensities
have had a marked infiuence on the
rest of Washington. His own love of
outdoor exercise has stimulated Off
cials and also private individuals in So
ciety to give more attention to outdoor
sports than ever before. Hence with
the coming of Spring the residents of
Washington are getting out for various
forms of exercise, just as the President
is doing.