The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-17
Stories Related of Army
Etiquette of Elevators-The Colonel Who
Approved-And Others.

The trials and fluctuations Of the con-
ductors on the many different elevators
in the state. War, and Navy Building
at Washington are many. il takes more
than a common school education 20 be a
success at this job. To be sure. at all
times and under all circumstances the
operator must be the personificatiOn Of
politeness, but it is IN his acquaintance
with the many different officials and with
the hundreds of military and naval Off
GERS on duty I'm the big granite building
that his knowledge is valuable.
There Is as much etiquette on one Of
these cars on a busy day as one would
find at one Of the big dinners at the
White House across the way. where the
sitting Of the guests around the festive
board is one of rule or social priority.
The approach of the Secretary Of State,
OF War, OF Of the Navy, In the direction
peculiar clapping Of the hands by all the
messengers or war veterans along the line,
vino guard the approaches TO the biggest
Office building in the world. or who watch
over its corridors.
So. at the sound Of three bells" on
the push button "a Secretary's calD,
no matter who is on the elevator. be ne
an admiral or a general, the lever is re-
versed. down or up it goes. as the indi-
Gator reads, the car door is quickly and
quietly opened, and the Secretary is taken
i'm and carried at once TO the floor Of his
destination. for there IS no stopping at
the floors 10 take on or let anybody else
Off.
Now comes the time when the keen
discretion Of the condUctOT-hiS Temem-
brance Of faces, and his knowledge Of
ranks Of army and navy officers and their
precedence-is brought into play
For instance, the other morning, on the
day Of the funeral Of a general officer,
the building was alive with officers in full
dress uniform on their way TO St. Johns
Church TO attend the ceremonies.
A major Of cavalry from Fort MyeT,
Va, having business at the QuaTteTmas-
ter's Department, was on the elevator
and was being shot I'D to the third
floor, when the sharp ringing OF three
bells" announced the Secretary of War
az the ground floor Down went the ele-
vator. The big Secretary and the little
major saluted, and before the salutation
vas over two bells rang meaning that
an officer of high rank wished 10 ride IN
a jiffy
The Secretary, Of course. was it and
accordingly ushered out at the second
floor, first by all means
Then I'd flew the elevator 10 the fourth
floor 10 answer the two bells, 70 take
on a brigadier general, who desired to de-
scend TO the street floor. More saluting
By the major Down shot the elevator.
The brigadier departed and the major.
who had been carried past his destination
twice. now breathed a sigh Of relief, but
lust then two bells" Ian officers calD
rang again on the second floor. and this
time the Chief Of Staff, with the rank of
lieutenant general. got aboard, and down
the major went again salute and all.
After the Chief OF STAFF went. the
ever polite conductor turned 20 the
Junior officer. and observing his rank and
insignia. said. Major, what floor,
please2"
"The third, please" replied the belated
officer. but the next time want it. III
walk
This is daily occurrence in the big
granite building. and oftentimes the
clerks are carried u and down and up
and down. until every officer is properly
disposed Of before they can reach their
/ destination.