Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-04-02
WINS
REPUTATION As
A PEDESTRIAN
His Appearance on Street Causes
Flutter Even in Blase
Observation-Disclosures
Window Displays.

Washington, March .9.-President Will
son has gained a reputation as u pedes-
TRAN since he stepped into the White
House. At frequent intervals during the
past II months he has allowed the White
House routine with its myriad questions
OF tariff and currency, to wait while he
| took the air.
An oval tract of parking. level as "A bill
lizard table and frnged with majestic old
elms, lies directly to the south Of the
White House. Washington calls it The
Ellipse' or more often The White Lot"
This tract is about three-ffths of mile
in circumference, and here the President
strolls beneath the elms.
1t is a beautiful spot. flanklng the build
ings where are housed four OF the most
important departments of tho national
government The President shares his
liking for the Ellipse with many govern
ment officials whose names are known
from ocean to ocean.
Then. too. there Is Connecticut avenue.
This fashionable thoroughfare is the old
stamping ground of presidents and the di-
plomatic corps, and of senators and repre-
sentatlves. Its tone is thoroughly off,
cal.
President Wilson has sampled the as
phalt and concrete OF Connecticut avenue
but evidently it holds less charm for the
present executive than for many OF his
predecessors. Perhaps the inherent de-
mocracy OF Mr.. Wilson Is responsible for
his lack of interest in this broad and ex-
elusive street, or it may be that he finds
there the very atmosphere of official dom
which he leaves behind at the White
House
SEES SHOP WINDOWS.
At all events, the Ellipse has
triumphed over Connecticut avenue, 80
far, in the estimation of the President
Washingtons rather smart downtown
shopping district Is not an unknown
land to the chief magic rate. On several
afternoons recently the fashionable win
ter promenade of seminary girls and col
leSe students which frequents + street
has opened path for the passage OF
the President and his escort
The passing of the President creates a
Washington. To see the President afoo,
in the shopping district is sight still
novel enough to create a wave of inter-
'st Wy uoWn tne tnOfOuGnt3rp.
The President walks for the exercise,
Of course, but he does not walk with the
monotonovs action of an athlete on the
cinder path or the steady grind of the
man who takes a constitutional" He Is
fond of studying shop windows He NAV
stop once, or he may stop six times dur
Ing the length of a block but when his
Rttont Is caught or held by window
display of interest he rarely fails 10
pause and examine the feature he finds
attractive.
The secret service men who are as
signed the White House to protect the
President from "cranks' discourage
these walks through the business sec
lions of the city They dislike the added
possibility of danger to be found on a
city street. Whether the odd Man"
as the President is affectonately known,
is walking briskly or pausng at a shop
window. the secret service men are al
ways studying the passing crowd for pos
sible signs of trouble.
The President walks with the easy
gait OF the natural PEDESTRIAN. He
simply strolls. Usually he is accompanied
on his walks by DIR. Cary Grayson, his
physician, sand occasionally Secretary
Tumulty Is member Of the party. The
two secret service men always round out
the escort.
In his walks about town the Presi-
dent wears IA light fedora hat, a short
overcoat and carries walking stick
Mr.. Wilson almost invariably selects
the afternoons from two to five o'clock
for his strolls. n he leaves the White
House at other times ne uses one OF the
White House automobiles
During the Roosevelt administration the
President gave his body guard much
ANNOYANCE through his habit of stealing
away from the executive mansion at
night for long walks through the city
But there Is rule of reason at tho
White House nowadays. Mr.. Wilson Is
not regarded as "tempcra mental" and
Is said to be thoroughly reasonable n
listening to the advice of those about
him.
Golfing is another Of the Presidents
chief diversions Almost any fine
afternoon may find him on the links at
Chevy Chase. The first year OF the pres
ent administration was busy one and
allowed but little timo for the seeking of
recreation, but the rest OF the term ia
expected to be more quiet. and the
reputation Of Woodrow Wilson, walker
Ia expected TO grow apace.