Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-05
HOW PRESIDENT
GOES ABOUT HIS
DAILY DUTIES
Regarded by White House EN-
ployes as Most Methodical
Executive in Years.

President Wilson as the most meth
odical, systematic. time-saving chief
executive within their memories.
From the very first Of his admins
tratien, the Mexican difficulties and
the European war have added inn
measurably to the duties Of the pres
ident, but he has managed to main
tain strict schedule for his working
hours; he never has been known
through personal fault to be late
with an engagement and has re-
ligiously conserved his time.
Gets Only Time Allowed.
A White House caller. booked for
a flve-minute interview with many q
president often got an hour. II one
arranges q flve-minute interview with
Mr.. Wilson. one gets exactly five min
utes-no more-and the way is
cleared for the next caller.
Although during his first adminis-
tratlon the president took no real va
cation. he managed to maintain q
regular program of physical recrea-
ton necessary to conserve his health.
He never has been out of touch with
the nations business. When at the
H., or Long Branch. N. j.. staff Of
secretaries was close at hand. All
during his first term the president
was not away from the White House
more than two weeks at a time on
trips travelling about the country and
he Eever has gone further west than
topeka, kansas.
Friends OF Mr. Wilson say he dis
likes the idea OF going into the coun-
try but enjoys himself when he does
Many word pictures OF the presi-
dent at work and at play have been
written, but those closest to him say
that his every day life is q natural
one for a man who never has been
wealthy and has grown up in an at
mosphere OF regularity and natural
living.
Does IAttle Things Himself.
sonally that could easily be done for
him by others. Frequently he walks
from the executive offices to the
White House to get a book or letter
when he could more easily press q
button and have someone bring it to
him. His liking for dtrectness of &C.
ton explains why on more than ona
occasion he has walked to different
government departments to see cab
met members instead Of summoning
them to the White House. He has
with the course he thought the most
direct.
The time the presidents working
day begins depends upon the season
OF the year. Ordinarily, in winter he
gets up between z and 1880 o'clock.
but in summer he. usually arises ear
lter-soHaetimes at or $3.50. He
believes fin daylight saving whenever
possiblel ~.
When he first came to the White
House be attended to most of his Of
t1ctal work In the morning. and play
ed golf IN the afternoon. but this win
ter, hei reversed his program, and
played golf In the warm morning
hours, and worked in the afternoon.
He goes golfing either with Mrs. Will
son and DR.. Grayson soon after
breakfast. and works on his mail
from noon to o'clock. In the after
noon he sees callers and signs official
9a!'e p9apers, sxcept on Iuesoays ana Fri
lays, Wien tne caDinet meets. Or
dduaiy dn.s ny @n m, nour on Monoay. Wednes.
os;g. oay a.u ~. thufsaay .h aIternoons Is set
s astue aor the reception OF members
VI consfess'
Has Quiet Evenings.
After dinner. generally about I
o'clock. the president does no work
unless 1t Is absolutely necessary. He
eltner reads. plays billiards. or goes
10 q tneater. Detective stories. poems
and autobiographies are his favorite
literature. It Is more or less Of an
open secret that his preference is for
thrilling old time detective stories.
Often he gathers his family about
him, and reads poems. Frequently
he steals away to a gallery to view
some paintings.
The presidents insistence on
promptness contrasts with the more
the nresident,s advisers sre e're frea,aeet neets