The Washington times., 1912-10-15

DISMAYS CAPITAL

All Washington 10 waiting and watch
ing today for news from the bedside OF
Theodore Roosevelt in the Presbyterian
Hospital at Chicago.
Since the first shock Of horror that
followed the early bulletins Of last night
Government officials. politicians. and
even the lowliest among the residents
Of the city have made continuous and
anxious inquiry. From a residence Of
fifteen years here. every one Of them
crowded with his characteristic democ-
racy, the colonel has a wider circle
Of friends and acquaintances than per-
haps any other man.
Though reassuring bulletins are re-
ceived with marked relief. there turks
here the fear that the wound is graver
than was at first believed. and Is only
minimized by the colonefs marked FOR
titude and vitality. The city has not
yet recovered from the first shudder .iN
sinatlon," which II breads.
The former President Is known to
more Washington residents personally
than any other man living outside the
District and aside from all political
considerations knowledge Of the details
in him so keen that the entire city Is
still absolutely absorbed in the condi-
ton of the distinguished victim of the
crank's bullet.
Comment by Clapp.
Commenting upon the murderous as
sault which was made upon Colonel
Roosevelt. Senator Clarp. one Of the
colonels closest friends and followers
here, said:
1T Is very unfortunate, indeed, that
some demented person should have
committed such deed. In 10000. 900
OF people there cannot but be a certain
occurrences as these. however, which
bring the fact of their insanity to the
attention Of the public and give COM
munities the opportunity to protect
their residents.
"Oolonei Roosevelt will go right on
with his work. The wound may hinder
him for q brief time but nothing can
deter a man like him. I have said that
Il 10 most unfortunate. I am confident
aa,, that It viii not be serious and sonse-
discuss possibilities"
Hard Man to Guard.
Colonel Roosevelt, Notwithstanding the
fact that his predecessor In the White
House died by an assassin's bullet, wa,
| always a difficult man for the Secret
Service to guard. He roamed about
ton often giving the slip to CHIEF
Wilkie's men. Colonel Roosevelt wal
not indifferent to the danger which HI
ran from cranks. but he believed tina
the best guarding IN the world coult
not prevent a crank getting chance Il
shoot him sooner or later. and he pre-
ferred not to be guarded all the TIME
| When Colonel Roosevelt left tn
White House the Secret Service per
force ceased to take active interest Il
his personal safety. Not 80 active 1
man physically. President Taft ha
given the Secret Service less conceri
| that did President Roosevelt for th
present incumbent of the Chief Mag
| istracy does not slip away from tn,
watch and ward of the Secret Servic
men as did Roosevelt.
At Chicago Convention.
During the Chicago convention Frani
| Tyree. United States marshal of Yves
virginia, was constantly at the former
| Presidents side. Excitement then raj
| SO high that II was feared some cranl
might be stirred up to felonious at
| tempt. But cranks do not seem to max,
their efforts at assassination when look
ed for, and come at times when non'
might particularly expect their appear
| ance.