The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-03-05

noon. He goes golfing either with Mrs
Wilson or DR.. Grayson soon aftel
breakfast, and works on his mail from
noon to o'clock In the afternoon h,
sees callers and signs official papers, ex
cept on Tuesdays and Fridays, when the
cabinet meets. Ordinarily an hour or
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday aft.
ernoons is set aside for the reception OF
members of Congress.
After dinner, generally about o'clock
the president does no work unless it IL
| absolutely necessary. He either reads
plays billiards, or goes to theatre. De-
tective stories, poems and autobiogra
phies are his favorite literature. 1t is
more or less of an open secret that his
preference is for thrilling oldtime detec-
tive stories. Often he gathers his family
about him and reads poems. Frequently
he steals away to gallery to view some
paintings.
The presidents insistence on prompt
ness contrasts with the more or less
care-free habits of some of his predeces-
sors. When the cabinet meets the presi-
dents advisers are frequently early, but
are seldom late.
The president, now go years old, is
very healthy and his only weaknesses
are of the stomach and eyes. Because OF
attacks of indigestion he is more or less
on a diet most of the time, but is as
regular in his meals as in all his other
habits
Society has no charms for Mr.. Wilson
and for society with capital S he has
positive aversion. On more than one &C.
casion his failure to hide his feelings has
been noticeable. He avoids all social
functions whenever possible.
As breaker of presidents Mr.. Wilson
set official Washington agasp even be-
fore he came into office by announcing
that he did not desire the usual inaugural
ball He followed that by declining
in some so-called exclusive
clubs which always had claimed the
of presidents.
One of his first acts was to greatly de-
crease the number of army and navy Off
GERS assigned to the White House as
aides. until less than a half dozen re-
manned. Mr.. Wilson abolished the mo-
torcycle guard which used to surround
the presidents ear when he went out on
the streets, saying he wished to go about
just as any other citizen.
When he began the custom of deliver
ing his addresses TO Congress in person
he revived a custom which had died with
and Adams. No president
since jefferson had addressed the Con-
press personally and no other president |
since Madison had addressed the Senate |
separately on foreign affairs as President |
Wilson did on his celebrated peace note. |
His fondness for directness of action has |
ed to the SCATTERING of many other prece-
tents.
Oftentimes when he wants to confer
With cabinet officer quickly he walks to
lis office. He goes to the bank in person
o deposit his salary and when he needs
foes shopping like anyone else. If he
wishes to confer with a senator and the
enator is spending a quiet evening at
lone. the president goes to the senator's
louse. Precedent always has decreed
hat the senator must come at the call
# the president.
Mr.. Wilson uses the telephone very
much on the theory that it shortens con-
ersations and keeps the parties to the
to the subject intended.
Never has the president relaxed any
f the customs which make for respect
nd honor for the high Office but he has
battered many precedents in the inter
st of direct action.