The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-20
WILSON BURNS
HAND RIDING IN
TANKBRITANNIA
Grasps Hot Exhaust Pipe as
He Chambers Through
Hole in Roof.
SUFFERS INTENSE PAIN
Gamely Conceals Injury. From
Crowd Watching Trip in
White House Grounds.
SUFFERS INTENSE PAIN
Special D. snatch 10 TIE Srx

Special D. snatch 10 TIE Srx.
WARRINGTON. April ia ride In the
British tank Britannia to-day about the
White House grounds cost President
Wilson a severe burn on his left hand.
caused by taking hold Of a hot exhaust
pipe in trying to aiight from the ma
chine. the burn covers The whole inside
Of his hand from the, finger tips back to
the wrist. While In no wise dangerous
the burn Is exceedingly painful and will
necessitatc the hand being bandasei for
some days.
The president said nothing about the
burn when II happened. He walked back
silently to the White House Offices at the
conclusion Of his ride. but later sent for
, Dr. Grayson and had the hand bandaged.
Ride Comes a. Surprise.
The ride in the tank was at the
Presidents own request and excited the
interest of large crowd which had fol-
lowed the machine about tho capital
where It arrived this forenoon. Tho tank
strolled up to the White House about 3
o'clock and stra!ghtway was admitted
through the White House gate. 1t pro.
ceeded down the drive to the White
House offices. where 1t drew Up for In
spection by the President. 1t was the
Presidents first view of a real tank.
Col. MacLauchlan. the British Military
Attache. introduced the President 70
Capt. Richard Hais Of the British army
and the four members OF the tank e
crew.
To the surprise OF the Britishers and
the White House stan tho President ex-
pressed q desire then to ride inside the
| tank
Fine" said Col. MacLauchlan. while
the members Of the tank crew beamed
all over and prepared to take on their
| distinguished passenger.
The President had to stoop over to get
into the lit,io door Of the tank. Jus,
big enough to admit a mans body. Al
/ soon as he got inside the door was shut.
| When the huge caterpillar wheels BE-
| gan to move there was a cheer from
the crowd. Along the White House
driveway the huge machine crawled.
headed for the west gate. There II
stopped. the PrsEdent telling Capt. Hais
he had had enough but had enjoyed the
sensation immensely.
Climbs Out Manhole II Roof.
Instead Of getting out by the little
/ door In the side the President essayet
to climb out through the manhole in the
roof. When the spectators saw his heat
appear they gave q tremendous shout
| To assist himself IN getting out OF tho
manhole the President. Il was Learned
later, sought TO catch hold ~ some
thing on the roof and his left hant
encountered tho machines exhaust pipe
| This was almost red hot.
The President. with the assistance o.
| the crew, then pulled himself out
walked down the caterpillar wheels ant
jumped Oft. He walked back TO th'
! White House ONCE building amid th'
cheers Of the crowd.
As soon as he got back tho Presiden
realized that he had received sever
burn.
The President. although suffering in
tense pain despite DR.. Grayson's ad
m,nistration insisted on keeping the en-
raxement he had made with Secretar!
Baker to go over his trip abroad. Sec
retary Baker remained with him tw'
hours, but the discomfort the Presiden
was in caused him to cancel all hi
later enRaRements.