The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-02-22

the country's history the very exterior OF the
White House exhibits the secluslon OF the presi,
dent In the daytime policeman stands guard
every gate. When night comes soldiers with
loaded guns and bayonets take places about n1ty
PAGES apart on the sidewalks surrounding the spa
cious White House grounds.
The soldiers have strict orders to make every
on. There is lettering whatever
about the White House after shutdown.
A copy of the presidents daily engagement list
is furnished the policemen at the gates. When
person who has an engagement with the pres
ident shows up afoot 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 or more policemen are always on
duty.
except at the west gate, Immediately adjoining
the executive Offices Here visitors having busi-
with Secretary Tumulty may gain entrance
upon the proper showing.
The gates to the White House closed the
day relations were severed with Germany. At
the same time 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 "go 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 Two motorcycle policemen clad
In Khaki pick up the presidents automobile the
street They follow within five feet Of his
chine to and from the golf :inks-or wherever
else 1t may 60 In a 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 a member Of congress or an official Of the
government to obtain a card from Secretary
Tumulty admitting constituent or friend to the
~ ma nSin Ia
lutey forbidden and there no exceptions.
Those surrounding the president will take no
chances
In consequence of these restrictions the presi
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
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 dischargng 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 switchboard
whatsoever connects the desks Of the president
and Secretary Lansing.
pending at the capitol-and he generally is-he
is more likely to talk to the leaders Of the senate
and house over the telephone than to request that
they come to the White House for q conference.
He has found that the telephone saves him both
face to face interviews and letter writing.