New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-06
ROOSEVELT SPENDS
SUNDAY QUIETLY
Sycamore Hill Closed to
Visitors and He Doesn't
Go TO Church.

From a staff Core spondsut Of The Tribune J
Oyster Bay, July 5.-For the first
time since his return from Brazil
Colonel Roosevelt remained in seclu-
sion at Sycamore Hill to-day. The
gate at the entrance to Sycamore HUI
was closed and roped for the first time
since the Colonel occupied the estate
Colonel Roosevelt did not attend the
service at Christ Episcopal Church to-
day. thus breaking custom ne mas
kent strictly when at home here and IN
good health.
John McGrath, his political secre-
tary. who has been seeing the Colonel
every dav. was unable to get in touch
with Mr.. Roosevelt, even over the teie-
phone from Oyster Bay.
The newspaper men, finding the road
70 the Colonel's home blocked, asked
Mr.. McGrath If Mr.. Roosevelt was
ILL., Mr.. McGrath knew nothing OF
conditions to-day at Sycamore Hill.
He was requested 10 visit Mr.. Roose-
welt and get from him some word as
to the truth OF the report.
Instead, the secretary telephoned 10
Sycamore Hill and asked the maid to
summon the Colonel to the wire. Inc
maid returned to the telephone in
few minutes and, according to what
Mr.. McGrath gave out, said to him:
"The family is dressing for dinner.
Mr.. Roosevelt is the same tonight as
he has been on every other night.
The gates we're closed 90 keep out
sightseers."
Few Sightseers at Estate.
While Mr. Roosevelt was President
curious folks were more numerous in
the vicinity of Sycamore Hill than to-
day. and in those times it was not
found necessary to herd them off.
I here has been for many years "Prl-
vate property, no trespassIng,' sign on
the road turning up to the Roosevelt
home. and that notice has been very
generally observed.
When the automobile containing the
newspaper men reached the Roosevelt
road early this afternoon there was no
crush Of vehicles filled with those anX-
ious 10 gain the Colonels greensUard.
The chauffeur who had passed the gate
several times in the morning said he
had seen no cars there. On other Sun
days traffic in that direction has been
light.
That the Colonel intended to take a
six weeks rest and that he would not
see any politicians was announced at
his request over week ago, but since
then he has had long political talks
with Mayor Mitchell and City Court
Judge ". l.. Ransom. as well as several
other political figures whose names
were not disclosed. News of the in
tended visit OF the Mayor and Ransom
might not have come out had not an
accident given the fact publicity. Be
cause accidents Of this sort are rare
there NAV have been others who have
quietly motorcd down from the city and
held secret conferences with Mr.. Roose-
volt during the last week. II is not ap-
parent whether these persons have all
been politicians or whether among
them were physicians.
For several days rumor here has
centred steadily on ono of two popular
beliefs. The first story read into the
Roosevelt ban on visitors the beliaf
that the Colonel wanted to ward Off the
great horde Of small politicians. so that
he could have opportunity to talk un-
in,erruptedly to the big men OF all
parties whose views would be helpful
TO him in making decision as TO
whether he should run for Governor
this fall.
The second belief was that he was
not so rcll. In support of that IL was
pointci out that Dr. Lambert did not
alter his advice that MIR. Roosevelt
should genuinely rest for four months.
Continued on page }. column 2