The new era., 1911-04-20

until the school clans invade the seat Of
government by the thousands each Easter. 1t
started with the teachers who began coming
individuals at this time Of year because the
spring vacation gave them few days leisure
at an opportune time for seeing the capital un-
der tne most advantageous conditions and the
idea spread until nnd whole delegations
of school marms coming by special train each
Easter and oddly enough. many Of the teachers
come back year after year at this time-perhaps
to study political economy history In the
making.
Latterly the pupils Of public grammar schools
and high schools and of private schools for both
girls and boys have been following the example
of the teachers and have been recruiting Easter
excursion parties to Washington personally con-
Quoted" by teachers and chaperones In a num-
Der of states this tendency has been encouraged
by the educational authorities who believe that
object lessons at government making In Washing
ton can proftably go hand IN hand with booI
learning The result has been that number ol
the invading parties that have descended upon
the City of Magnificent Distances these past few
years have embraced practically the entire mem
bership of their respective schools.
But how, perhaps you are asking, does this
make work for the president? Very simple-each
and every one of these Easter visitors wants to
not only see the president, but actually shake
hands with him and say "Howdy" OF the thou
sands upon thousands OF sightseers that make
the capital their mecca at other seasons Of the
wear the great majority entirely satisfied II
they catch glimpse Of the president at the
theater, at church, walking on the street
Not 30, the Easter pilgrims. They want an au-
dience at court and what is more to the point
they usually SO agtate the matter with their re-
spective congressman and senators-laying stress
upon the educational status of the vist-that the
lawmakers bestir themselves to secure dates at
the White House.
II congress is In session at Easter tide there
ia sure to be especially heavy influx from the
school rooms all the land, and II the presi-
dent has a reputation for good nature. as has the
present occupant Of the White House. 1t seems
as though the fact spurs the pedagogues to fresh
endeayofs to secure the boon of a reception at
the White House for themselves and their
charges And as for the private schools-par
ttcularly the .fnishing schools for young ladies
that send their pupils to Washington at the end
of Lent why any faculty might almost as well
resign as arrange trip to Washington without
a side trip" to the White House. the equal in
privileges and prestige Of that vouchsafed to
the visitors from any rival institution.
But as has been said, this influx OF admiring
hosts makes a very busy week for the president
And 1t brings furrows to the foreheads of the
secretaries who make out the schedule of en-
fragments for the president. The Easter visitors
are not received by the president in the White
House proper as the callers on New Years day
or at the big card receptions during the winter
son on the contrary, the Chief magistrate greets
tha Easter delegations in his private once at the