The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-02-23

the country's history the very exterior il Ire
White House exhibits the seclusion OF the presi-
dent. In the daytime d policeman stands guard
at every gate. When night comes, soldiers 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 no lettering whatever
about the White House after shutdown.
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 Cooked over as he ap-
proaches the entrance to the executive mansion,
where two or more policemen are always on
duty.
IS No other persons are admitted to the grounds
except at the west gate, Immediately adjoining
the executive offices. Here visitors having bust
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 anne time an order went forth denying tour
lists and others the privilege Of going through the
lower rooms 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 it swings out of the grounds onto the
street. They follow within five feet of his ma
chine to and from the golf .nks-or wherever
else 1t may go. In a big automobile twenty to
thirty feet to the rear ride half a dozen secret
service men.
So strict is the rude against admission to the
White House that the special card" hours have
been abolished. Heretofore it has been possible
for a member of congress or an official of the
government to obtain a card from Secretary
Tumulty admitting a constituent or friend to tho
lower floors of the mansion. This is now abso
lutely forbidden and there are no exceptions
Those surrounding the president will take nc
chances.
In consequence Of these restrictions the presi
dent and his family are spending more time or
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 70 the foreign commissions
that recently visited this country, but he and his
wife have about eliminated social activity.
In discharging his many duties the president
is using the telephone TO an unprecedented ex
tent. He confers a great deal by phone with thu
secretary of war and navy. Direct lines, touch
ing the White House switchboard only, connec
the presidents desk and those of the secretaries
A plain telephone wire. with no switchboard
whatsoever, connects the desks of the presiden
and Secretary Lansing,
Should the president be interested in Legislation
pending at the capitol-and he generally is-h'
is more likely to talk to the leaders Of the senat
ana house over the telephone than to request tina
hey COM TO the White House for a conference
He has found that the telephone saves him bot
face to face tatsrviews and letter writing.