The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
WILSON BECOMES
TRUE S|GHT-SEER
Pays Visit to Nations Leg
islative Halls
TAKES LONG WALK
Presidents Visit Odd and Unex-
pected and Filled With Interest
ing Events-Walk Advised
by Doctor

Washington, December S.APresident
Wilson went to the capitol today, not to
deliver message or to confer possibly
with members of Congress as has been
his custom since he took office and began
breaking century-old precedents. but to
gaze after the fashion of the tourist and
sight-seer at the nations legislative halls
The Presidents visit was as unexpect-
ed as 1t was odd He had slipped into
the capitol unobserved, climbed the ia
tieuing ascent of numberless steps at the
west entrance, and was one of a group
of sight-seers in the rotunda before word
spread through the halls that the Presi-
dent was in the building. The Presi-
dent was accompanied only by his ply
sician, DR.. Cary T. Grayson United States
navy and capitol guides, not knowing
whether or not the distinguished visitor
cared for their attention, stood in awe
struck hesitation at a distance.
There's the President of the United
States announced some of the guides
to the groups they were leading about.
Woman Embarrassed
L don't believe it-he's at the White
House." said one woman She stepped
forward to make sure, met the gaze of
Mr.. Wilson and in her embarra ssment.
shook hands. Others came up, but soon
the President slipped through the crowd
to Statuary hall, where some states have
placed statues of two of their most fa-
nous citizens. The President looked at
each statue and then walked on toward
the House side. Just as he reached the
end of one corridor IA c+onrol o,,aaa,,t.
'Oh, it's on the other side" remarked
the PRESIDENT, and bystanders knew he
meant the Presidents room and had lost
MS bearings. On his way back toward
the Senate side of the building the Pres
ldent paused for a moment before the
statue of Thomas jefferson. Passing on.
he went by the supreme court, which was
in session. He met Senator Hughes and
In answer to the senator S surprised query
explained that he was merely taking a
STROLL" Senator Hollis of New Hampshire
happened along with packet of doc
uments under his arm. He asked about
the Presidents health and remarked that
he was on his way to currency delib
erations.
That's good" laughed the President
and passed on. He shook hands with
Senators Shiveley Chamberlain and
others and finally arrived at the Pres
ident's room
A moment later Senator Ashurst.
showing some feminine constituents
about, said
And here We come to the Presidents
room, the most valuably furnished
room in the building"
Someone stepped up with the in
formation that the President was in
side.
''Valuably Furnished
oh, it surely is the most valuably
furnished room now" he said laugh
ing Senators don't go in when the
President is there unless he sends for
them"
The President found a crowd of
slght,seers in his room. They filed out
quickly behind the professional guide.
Mr Wilson stopped only a moment to
chat with Secretary James M. Baker of
the Senate and Senator MARITIME of New
Jersey, and then left the building. Both
houses of Congress were in session but;
the president had entered neither
chamber .sD .sss
The President swung out into the
capitol grounds, continuing his long
walk He Wore no overcoat and one
woman he passed remarked audibly To
another, "He should not be out with
out an overcoat."
The President was warmly clothed,
however. in a heavy wooden sweater
vest He wore a salt and pepper suit
and brown fedora and attracted little
attention as he swung his cane
through the crowded streets He took
the walk on the advice of his physi-
clan, who thought the President need
ed the fresh air after, his long confine-
ment though he had counselled hirn
against going anywhere indoors where
the air might be close as at a church
or theatre.