The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-09-13
GUARD PRESIDENT
As never BEFORE
White House Surrounded by In.
tricate Protective System.
SECRET SERVICE ON WATCH
President Cannot Dodge His cuards-
. Almost as Hard to Get Out Of
White House Grounds as to Get Into
Then-When Night Comes Guard Of
Soldiers Is Thrown Around the
Grounds.

Washington betrays every symptom
of having at last awakened to a sense
Of interest in the president Of the
United States. The average Wash
ingtonian formerly stared languidly
after the presidential automobile. Now
adays he frowns. He does not like to
see the president take chances. Wash
ington is beginning to wish the presi-
dent had a more secluded spot in
which to play golf than the Country
club.
The president is quite aware of the
changed sentiment Of Washington and
the country at large on presidential
escapades. and not since war was de-
clared has Mr.. Wilson attempted to
evade the White House bodyguard.
Back in his first administration he
once slipped off and got as far as his
bank, several blocks away, before the
secret service men caught him and
frowned at him disapprovingly, but
since America entered the world war
the president has not even tried to 20
opt alone. It is doubtful If he could
slip away.
In the first place, 1t is almost as
hard to get out Of the White House
grounds as it is to get in. Particu-
larly is this true at night.
At the west side of the White House
grounds one gate is left open to admit
visitors to the executive Offices, but
one must enter the executive offices or
stay out. Once inside the executive
offices one walks straight into the
arms Of two large policemen, who in
quire 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 disclose
telephone box at each one. Every po-
liceman in the grounds has a telephone
at his elbow and he can call for help
Or notify the White House guardroom
Of any emergency. When night comes
on a new force Of policemen goes on
duty inside the gates and detach-
ment of United States regulars are
thrown completely about the White
House, where they stand guard until
Westinghouse occasionally crafty |
heir sense Of curiosity by walking up
close to these soldier guards, just to
zee how the soldiers will behave. The
men in uniform patrol their beats
With fixed bayonets and loaded rifles
Ind as pedestrian approaches each
,uard always manages either to stop
Ind face the pedestrian or to be walk
ng toward him.
The whole city was laughing not
ong ago at the story Of White
House attache who tried to use the
last gate of the White House one
light after the military guard went
N duty. The soldier who was sta
toned in front Of the east gate had
riders to let nobody enter and he be-
leved in carrying out his orders. The
ivilian who applied For admittance
vas firmly told to keep on walking.
lie protested that he was attached to
he White House and had been in the
abit Of using the east gate.
"You heard what said," warned
he guard.
Eyes, I heard you," replied the man,
but I'm going in this gate."
Changed His Mind.
The next thing the civilian knew
'as sharp pain in the back Of his
nigh, where the sentry had inserted
ne point Of his bayonet and was
ushing the pedestrian rapidly toward
le curb. The man in khaki calmly N
aited the attaches next move. That
entleman decided he had better use
le west gate, and made haste to do
}. @n. iii
OF course, these precautions are all II
lat Washington can see on the sur
ice. It knows nothing of the intri-
tie inner system Of White House de.
,nse, organized on an electric basis
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