The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-12-04
Dakotans at White House

DakOtanS al W1lte House
Alice Nelson Page in Grand Forks
Herald: A number of North Dakota
people who went with the governors
party to Boston to witness the
launching of the big %battleship North
Dakota, returned by way of Wash
ington, D. c., and spent a few days
there sightseeing. They were intro
duced to President Roosevelt at the
White House and this event vas one
of the most interesting of their stay
in the capital city. Columns of mat
ter every day about how hard it is
to see the president, how many Sc
cret service men have to be encoun-
tered and solemn looking individuals
in uniform, who look you through
and through if you even mention
you would like to see how his ex-
cellency looks, until you are awed
into a thought that every other mar
or woman who gets off a train in
Washington has to be carefully look
ed over for fear they may have some
dire intent toward the determination
of our great "Teddy." Not so with
the North Dakota party. They we're
received with open arms, in fact Ted
dy did everything but embrace each
and everyone of them individually.
He did collectively if the term may
be used. The audience for the North
Dakota party was arranged for by
VIM, Jermaine of the Minneapolis
Journal. A member of the party on
arrival in Washington, called up Mr..
Jermaine, the Washington %represen-
tative of the Journal, and were ask
ed to call at his office. Their recep-
ton was most cordial, apd when the
request was made that an audience
with President Roosevelt would be
appreciated, Mr.. Jermaine called up
Secretary Loeb at the White House
and asked that the North Dakota
party be presented. The answer
came back at once:
president Roosevelt will be de-
lighted to greet the North Dakota
each and every one of them,
at II tomorrow"
Arrangements are Made.
Arrangements were made to meet
Mr.. Jermaine at the executive Offices
of the White House at that time the
next day and those of the party lef'
in the city who went were President
John H. Worst of the Agricultural
college,; Mrs. Alice Nelson Page, of
the Grand Forks Herald; State Treas
urer and Mrs. E. e. Bickford, Of Bow
bells, N. d.; Mr.. and Mrs. Cox, Of
Bowbells, and Mr.. McCone of Minot;
Mr.. and Mrs. J.. K. Swan, Of Fessen-
den, and Major ]. G. Hamilton of
Grand Forks.
At the door of the executive offices,
the members Of the party were met
by United States Senator McCumber.
of Wahpeton, who greeted them most
cordially and said he had been look
ing for the North Dakota crowd. The
Impression among them had been
that he had not as yet reached Wash
ington or they should have been look
ing for him. He asked Mr.. Jermaine
to turn the party over to him and as
NH. Jermaine had some high officials
Of the Shriner order to present at
the same time he was quite willing
Mr.. McCumber should do the honors.
The waiting rooms were crowded
with people evidently on. the same
intent, to get a word with or event.
look at the president, and many fled
out with disappointed faces, while
others waited maybe for a number
of hours before being admitted, or il
the hour for receiving was up, would
leave and return next day. The
president only received from II until
/ each day and not then IL matters
Of state take up his attention.
With either Mr.. Jermaine or Sem
ator McCumberw with the. North Oar
kotans there was no question OF trou-
BILE in passing through gates 81 doors lsos'r.'
In fact they were opened as II by
magic and with bows and pleasant
looks for both gentlemen seemed on
the best Of terms with everyone fr6mi
the president down,lat the White.
House. Ss 3s