The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-02-21


Wb,te Uouse exhibits the seclusion of the presi-
dent. In the daytime n policeman stands guaru
at every gate When night comes so'uiers WIN WIN
loaded guns and bayonets take places ABOUT nrty
PAGES apart on the sidewalks surrounding the spa
cious White House grounds.
The soldiers have strict orders to make every
one move on. There is lettering whatever
about the White House after sundown.
A copy Of the presidents daily engagement list
is furnished the policemen at the gates When
a person who has an engagement with the pres
ident shows up afoot or in automobile the gates
swing open and he is admitted to the grounds.
The visitor is again "looked over" as he ap-
proaches the entrance to the executive mansion.
where two more policemen are always on
duty
No other persons are admitted to the grounds
except at the west gate Immediately ADJOINING
the executive Offices. Here visitors having busi-
ness with Secretary Tumulty may gain entrance
upon the proper showing.
The gates to the White House were closed the
day relations were severed with Germany. AT
the same time an order went forth denying tour
lists and others the privilege of going through the
lower of the executive mansion. Thou
sands of tourists have come to Washington ex-
pecting to ego through" the White House. only
to be stopped by the officer at the gate.
The police guard about the president when
walking or riding has been doubled since the out
break of war. Two motorcycle policemen clad
in khaki pick up the presidents automobile the
moment 1t swings out of the grounds onto the
street. They follow Wltnn nVe 1eet Oi HIS md-
chine to and from the golf .inks-or wherever
else 1t may go. In big automobile twenty to
thirty feet to the ride half dozen secret
service men.
So strict is the rude against admission to the
White House that the Especial card" hours have
been abolished. Heretofore 1t has been possible
for member of congress or an official of the
government to obtain n card from Secretary
Tumulty admitting constituent or friend to the
lower floors of the mansion. This is now abso-
lutely forbidden and there are no exceptions.
Those surrounding the president will take no
chances.
dent and his family spending more time on
the lower floor of the White House; they are not
confined so much to the bedrooms and rest rooms
above.
The president and Mrs. Wilson attend COM
paratively few social functions. Likewise social
callers are few. War has virtually brought an
end to social activity at the White House. The
president attended the state receptions given by
Secretary Lansing to the foreign commissions
that recently visited this country. but he and his
wife have about eliminated social activity.
In djschargiug his many duties the president
is using the telephone to unprecedented eX-
tent He cOnfers great deal by phone with the
secretary of war and navy. Direct lines, touch
ing the White House switchboard only. connect
the presidents desk and those of the secretaries
A plain telephone wire. with no switchboard
whatsoever. connects the desks of the president
and Secretary Lansing.
Should the president be interested In legislation
pending Mt the capitol-and he generally is-he
is more likely talk to the leaders of the senate
and house over the telephone than to request that
they come to the White House for a conference.
He has found that the telephone saves him both
face to face interviews and letter writing.