The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-12
GUARD PRESIDENT
AS NEVER BEFORE
Intricate -,SScm OF Protection Inside
White House Now Supplements
Soldiers and Police Outside.

Soldiers and Police Outside.
washington. Feb. ii.--Perhaps it 81
Just as well for Colonel Roosevelt's
peace OF mind that he didn't get close
TO the White House on his recent trip
to Washington. 1t is probable that
the colonel would have been panied to
sec how all is changed around the
place no once called home
Particularly is this true In the pre-
cautions thrown about the president
to protect him from cranks and other
eyildoers. II WIS the coloners dear de-
light to escape from his secret service
guards on a fine. foggy night and have
every policeman in town looking for
him. II was s. very funny joke in
those days, but IL would not be funny
at ali now.
Warrington hetrsys every symp-
tom OF having at last awakened to a
seEse of interest In the president of
the United States The average
Washingtonian formerly stared Ian
guidly after the presidential auto
robbie Nowadays he frowns. He
does not like to see the president take
chances Washington is beginning
to wish the president had more
secluded spot in which to play golf
than the Country club.
The president is quite aware of
the changed sentiment of Washing
ton and the country at large on
presidential escapades. and not
since war was declared has Mr..
wilson attempted to evade the
White House bodyguard.
Hard to slip Away.
Back in his first administration he
o.fce slipped off and got as far as hts
bank, several blocks away, before
tho secret service men caught him
and frownpd at him disepprovingiy.
but since America entered the world
war the president has not even tried
TO go out alone. II is doubtful IL he
could slip away.
, In the first place, II Is almost as
hard 10 get out OF the White House
grounds as 1t is to get in. Parttcu-
larly is this true at night. No longer
are the big iron gates that open on
the semi-circular drive to the White
House entrance thrown Hospitality
OPEN TO every tourist who cares to
walk up and peep In the front door.
Not only are these gates locked. but
they are guarded by policemen who
have orders not to leave under any
circumstances.
| 1t would avail hand OF plottars
nothing to start riot outside the
White House gates in the hope OF
drawing those inside guards away
from their posts They simply do
not leave and nobody gets in those
gates who is not personally known
! to the policemen on guard.
At the west side OF the White
House grounds one gate is left open
10 admit visitors to the executive
offices, but one must enter the ex-
scutive Offices or stay out. Once in
side the executive offices one walks
straight into the arms Of two more
policemen. who inquire concerning
his business and pass him along to
the proper officials.
Telephone Alarm system
In addition to the guards on the
white House gates. an inspection OF
the gate police stations Will dis
close tele phone box at each one
! Every policeman in the grounds has
a telephone at his elbow sud he can
cafi' for help or notify the white House
guard room OF any emergency. when
night comes on a new force OF police
/ men gees on duty inside the gates and
a detachment Of United States rerulars
are thrown completely about the
! White House, where they stand Ruard
until morning
! WashinEtonians occasionally crafty
/ their sense Of curiosity ny walking
mp close to these soldier guards lust
to see how the soldiers Will behave
I The men in uniform patrol their beats
with fixed bayonets and loaded rides
I and as a pedestrian approaches each
guard always manages either 10 stop
and face the pedestrian or TO be walk
ing toward him. The guards are
placed sufficiently close together TO be
able to see each other plainly and the
la ta In
II to try any humorous moves toward
! the white House fence
The whole city was laughing not
long ago at the story of a White House
I attache who tried TO use the east gate
Of the white House one night after
the military guard went on duty. The
! soldier who was stationed in front Of
the east gate had orders TO let NOBODY
| enter and he believed in carrying out
his orders. The civilian who applied
for adrnittanee was firmly told 70 keep
| on walking, He protested that he was
attached 10 the white House and had
been in the habit OF using the east
gate.
You heard what said" warned the
guard,
''Yeh, heard you" replied the man
but Tn going in this gate.
Civilian Was Convinced.
: The next thing the civilian knew
, vas a sharp pain in the back OF his
thigh. where the sentry had inserted
the point OF his bayonet and was push
ing the pedestrian rapidly toward the
curb. The man in khaki calmly wait
sd the attaches next move. That gen
tletnan decided he had better use the
west gate, and made haste to do 30.
or course, these precautions are all
!, that Washington can see on the sur
face 1t knows nothing OF the intri-
, cate inner system OF White House de-
Tense, organized ON an electric basis
nnd backed by the entire police force
az the city. The nature OF this real
defense system is a mystery and no
good American would write about it
If he knew.
Cranks are no longer much trouble
a bout the White House. thanks 10 the