Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-20

ment of his physical well being or in
pandering to extreme notions about the
dignity of his high station On the con-
trary. he has shown disposition to ig
more convention and to smash tradition.
In years past before he was hit with
political aspirations and became Gov
ernor of New Jersey. Woodrow Wilson
was an active, human, scholarly man,
simple in tastes. mentally alert, and
given to a sensible savoring of work and
play to keep even balance between mind
and body. At work he gained the repu-
tation of promptness and energy; and at
play. his was a moderate and dignified
course of conduct. which. without offense
to the head OF the nation. might be put
into the phrase, "a good sport.
Mr. Wilson has brought his love OF
nature to the White House, and while
his pastimes may not be of the strenuous
order of some of his predecessors. 1t is
apparent that riding, golf, walking abroad
and moderate forms of outdoor exercise
will be part of the daily regime Wood
row Wilson is not from choice a hunter
or fisherman. His recreations are of
less nerve-rackng kind, but still he finds
rest TO the brain and health to the body
out among the elements.
The recreations Of President Taft were
similar to those adopted by Mr.. Wilson,:
cruises down the Potomac, summers in
New England. and golf as inclination and
opportunity offered Walking was not a
natural or pleasurable diversion for
President Taft. and his excursions about
the capital and its environs were IN
variably in the White House automobile.
The outdoor life of Theodore Roose-
Welt. when President. was of the most
vigorous kind. He would invite an army
officer or friend TO walk with him for
miles in the country, across woods ana
fields, along the canal or by the river.
until the friend was worn and weary
from the tremendous strain. He set the
pace in riding with many an army officer.
covering miles out in Maryland or over
into Virginia upon these jaunts. His
cruises on the water were frequent: his
hunting trips epded in the pursuit of big
game in Africa. Mr.. Roosevelt was and
is "A man of remarkable physical endur-
ance, and his diversions were set upon a
scale that would be the despair OF most
men.
President Mckinley was at the oppo-
site end of the line in regard to move
| ment out OF doors. He took little ex-
| erecise and had few recreations in which
his invalid wife could not participa ate.
He led a very quiet life at the White
| House. his time being divided between
his official duties and the companionship
! OF Mrs. Mckinley. The automobile had
| not come enough into general use for the
/ President to go abroad In IT, and he rode
behind horses and took quiet excursions
| down the Potomac in the President 8
| yacht.
| The chief diversion Of Benjamin Harri-
/ son was driving. though he INDUCED to a
4 moderate degree in hunting and some
times in fishing. He was a poor shot.
/ on his hunting excursions down the
Potomac and In Virginia he killed a few
duck snipe and plover and was always
+ proud of the exploit when he brought
down a bird. A story was told of his
4 mistaking a pig for raccoon and killing
i it, The animal proved to be the property
I of a negro farmer, who declined to take
+ pay from the President but accepted
several times the value of the pig from
4 the club members whose guest the Presi-
/ dent was
President Cleveland earned the reputa-
/ ton of being a Woodworking chief execu-
/, tive. He spent many hours at his desk
gDing over matters left by most Presi-
dents to their cabinets or subordinates at
the White House. Yet Mr.. Cleveland
/, had his diversions, among which was
/ playing billiards upon the table in the
/, basement OF the Executive Mansion and
| an evening game of whist in which Mrs.
Cleveland usually joined. But Mr. CIeve-
lands chief diversions were duck shoot
ing and fishing. of which he was special
i the vicinity of Washington in the waters
of the lower Potomac or Chesapeake bay.
/ He preferred TO pick off his game from
! behind blind and he was an excellent
/ shot
No more arduous fisherman could be