South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-30
NEXT PRESIDENT
TO CHANGE RULES
AT WHITE HOUSE
Open Door Policy viii Be in
Force, Says Louis
Ludlow.
BY louis LUDLOY.

BY LOUIS LUDLOW.
WASHINGTON. July %. - The
coming OF a new president 20 Wash
ington undoubtedly viii mean a
great change IN the rules that have
kept the white house a secluded
place during the last four years.
Whether Gov. Cox or Sen. Harding
succeeds Pres't Wilson the following
changes are almost certain 20 take
place at the white house.
1.-Reestablishmen OF the open
door"
2.-RenovaI Of guards from all
grounds so that the public may
enter
3.-Restoration Of the custom OF
holding New Years receptions.
4.-ResumptOn OF the social ac-
tivities which were first put under
the ban during the war and later
CT account OF the presidents illness.
II remains 10 be seen whether the
new president viii follow the eX-
ample OF a long list Of predecessors Y
and send his messages TO congress
instead OF reading them in person.
Only two residents-Thomas Jeffer-
son and Woodrow Wilson--delivered
their messages in person.
Closed Four Years.
Though one OF the show places"
OF the nation the white house has
been closed 10 the public much OF
the time for almost four years.
When war was declared with Ger
many the iron gates OF the white
house were shut inexorably against
all those who did not have some Of
fetal business there, and they have
never been opened, although the re-
Il nHh 81. n
ually have been removed. Even the
white house correspondents may
not walk about the lawns north Of
the big house. where in other years
the public was admitted without
question.
The reason for continuation of
these restrictions is that about the
time the heat OF war had begun TO
cool and the other buildings were
being opened TO the public Pres't
Wilson was taken ill and Il was
thought advisable TO keep the public
as far away from him as possible.
The plan was desirable from the
view OF the secret service men, as
II was an additional safeguard
against his being disturbed by
cranks and sensation seekers.
To hundreds OF thousands of
Americans the white house is
Il
the home OF George Washington, in
the reverence shown II. For many
years the large lawn south OF the
house has been closed to the public,
but the smaller lawn on the north
side, through which the main drive
way runs. was always open until
1917.
Tourists from near and far found
this one OF the most interesting
T. " ~ II 10
war period all visitors were ADMITTED,
10 the white house at certain hours
where guides conducted them
through certain rooms. These in
Guided the big east room, with its
famous gold piano, rare tapestries
and its atmosphere of high state
functions. The exhibits Of gifts from
Grant china" Roosevelt china"
and other household furnishings Of
former presidents also might be
viewed by any one.
Marine Band Played.
During the greater part OF Pres't
Wilson's first administration there
were only minimum restrictions in
force at the white house. In the
summer months it was the practice
To have the Marine band play on the
lawn just south Of the house and for
q few hours the public was admitted
10 the spacious grounds there. Ere
quently the president and the first
Mrs Wilson would sit on the large
south porico. where the president
now spends most OF his time and
would enjoy the music with the pub
&c.
II also was the time-honored Gus
tom 20 allow children on the south
lawn on Easter Monday 10 roll multi
cOIored eggs down its grassy slopes.
and as there was a rule against ad-
hitting adults unless they brought
children with them IL was not un-
usual for those without little ones
20 borrow tots for the occasion.
This has not been done, however.
for several years and the Easter egg
rolhngs have become almost a mem
DRY and nothing more.
The enforced seclusion of Pres't
Wilson, coming on the heels OF the
restrictions so necessary during the
war, has thus made the white house
che OF the dullest spots in Washing
ton. although in normal times IL is
the center OF official political and
even recreatiOnal activity Though
the president has partially recovered
from his illness II IS not expected
that the white house viii be re-
opened 20 Is old-time activities
while he IA its occupant, but the new
president. whoever he may be, is ex-
pected 10 return 10 the practices OF
other days.