The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-05
INethodical and Systematic
President Wilson Adheres
To Strict Daily Schedule

an hour on Monday, Wednesday ana
Thursday afternoons is set aside Tor
the reception of members Of con-
gress.
After dinner, generally about 7
o'clock, the president does no work
unless it is absolutely necessary. he
either reads, plays billiards, or goes
to ,heater. Detective stories, po'
ems. and autobographies are his ia
yorite literature. 1t Is more or less
of an open secret that his preference
is for thrilling old time detective sto.
ries. Often he gathers his family
about him, and reads poems. Ere
auently he steals away to a gallery
TO view some paintings.
Insists on Promptness.
The presidents insistence on
promptness contrasts with the more
or less care.free habits Of some OF his
predecessors. When the cabinet
meets the presidents advisers are ire
Quently early, but are seldom late.
The president, now 60 years old,
is very healthy, and his only weak
nesses are of the stomach and eyes.
Because of attacks of indigestion ne
is more or less on diet most OF
the time, but is as regular in his
meals as in all his other habits.
Society has no charms for Mr.. Will
son and for society with "a capital S
he has positive aversion. On more
than one occasion his failure to hide
his feelings has been noticeable. He
avoids all social functions whenever
possible.
AS a breaker of presidents Mr.. viii.
son set official Washington agasp
even before he came into office by
announcing that he did no: desire
the usual inaugural ba He follow.
ed that by declining membership in
some so-called exclusive Clubs :"hich
always had claimed the membership
OF presidents.
One of his first acts was to greatly
decrease the number OF army and
navy officers assigned to the White
House as aides, until less than a
half dozen remained. Mr.. Wilsonabol-
ished the motorcycle guard which
used to surround the presidents car
when he went out on the streets, say
ing he wished to go about just as
any other citizen.
Reads Own Messages.
When he began the custom of de-
livering his addresses to congress in
person he revived a custom which
had died with Washington and Ad-
ans. No president since Jefferson
had addressed the congress person
ally and no other president since
Madison had addressed the senate
separately on foreign affairs as Presi-
dent Wilson did on his celebrated
peace note. His fondness for direct.
ness of action has led TO the shatter.
ing Of many other precedents.
Oftentimes, when he wants to con.
fer with a cabinet officer quickly he
walks to his Office. He gees 70 the
bank in person to deposit his salary,
and when he needs goes shopping like
anyone else. If he wishes to confer
with a senator, and the senator is
spending quiet evening at home.
the president goes to the senator's
house. Precedent always has de-
creed that the senator must come at
the call of the president. >H:@@
Mr.. Wilson uses the telephone very
much. on the theory that II shortens
conversations and keeps the parties
to the conversation to the subject
intended H. ,"l-A'l'
Never has the president relaxed
any of the customs which make for
respect and honor for the high OF.
flee, but he has shattered many prece-
dents in the interest of direct action,