Norwich bulletin., 1921-09-28
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAS
 HISTORY
TEsF
THE PRESIDENTS ARl CTAPnEn

HOW THE PRESIDENTS ARE
 GUARDED.
 The presidents of the United States are always surrounded by bodyguards, not probably to the same extent as for eign rulers, but sufficiently so for the needs of the occasion in which they go forth either on personal or private bus mess. Generally, they are detectives in plain clothes. In addition, the White House itself has it's guard in the form Of policemen from the regular Washing ton force, and several of these have been detailed constantly on duty at the presidents home for a number of years. A president of the United States never steps outside the White House, nor travels even the shortest distance, with out being followed by one or more offi- cers of the secret service. No one is ever apprised as to the extent of this guard nor is it confined alone to the executive, but the service is also ex- tended to members of the official fam 1 fly
 Before a visitor crosses the entrance hall or reception room at the White House. he is quietly but carefully scru- tinized by not only the doorkeeper, but tsome of the secret service men who are constantly on duty. He may not he aware of the inspection, but it is made in every case.
 At the great public receptions held at ] the White House on the first day of each year, the number Of guards, in the persons of policemen and secret ser vice men, is more than quadrupled. Ev- cry step of the way. each caller, while he is in the mansion, is guarded, and one requirement is that each and every one in the great throng that surges through the building, shall keep both hands always in sight. This require ment has been rigidly enforced ever since the assassination of President Mckinley, because on that occasion the assassin carried a pistol concealed un- der a handkerchief.
 Two muscular policemen always swing the turnstile door at the entrance to the colonnade on reception days. At the head and foot of the stairs are two or three extra strong men. All the way from the head of these stairs around to the East room, officers are stationed headed by the lieutenant of police.
 But it is just as well that every one who comes in is carefully looked over perhaps two or three times, before he ] or she reaches the president, congress- men have the habit of giving cards oi admission to Tom, Dick and Harry, and it would not be a difficult matter for some fanatic to get one of these, and donning the full dress garb, mingle with the throng for the purpose ot making trouble.
 During MT. Cleveland's first admin istration he received comparatively few threatening letters, but during his sec ond term so many were received that Mrs. Cleveland became alarmed ani prevailed upon her husband to augment the force of secret service men. Tht result was that in 1895 the corps ot guards at the White House was fn- creased to twenty7seven, where before there had been only three or four Ot policemen alone there were twenty-five patrolmen and two sergeants, and sen try boxes were seen in many places 1T
 the White House grounds. The news papers of the time said:
 } 'rMr. Cleveland not only keeps off tn, sidewalks, but seldom goes driving, ant when he is seen abroad in one of tn, White House carriages he is under tn
 protection of two detectives, who fol
 low him in another vehicle''
 Mir. Harrison, his predecessor, on tn l other hand, was devoted pedestrian
 and he was q very familiar figure or U tho streets Of Washington On all o his excursions ha was entirely with = out protection He was always guard ed at public receptions. but he aske