Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-04-14
way OF WORK OF
new PRESIDENT
A Day With Warren G. Harding
at the White House.
STICKS TO FIXED PROGRAM


People Have Direct Point Of Contact
With President In Arranging inter-
views--cranks Have Poor Chance
Of Causing Trouble-secret Service
Men on Watch.
presideEt Harding has made 1t
known that he intends to work with
all his vigor and that he expects those
associated with him to adopt the
same policy. He is.up and ready for
the days task not later than 8 o'clock
In the morning. ard each day Is
long day. When the President finds
recreation such astIgolf essential to
the maintenance ofihis health, he in
tends to do bit Sf night work to
round out the day. The President
has a study on tile second floor OF
the White House proper. as well ms an
Office in the executive office building,
and his night work will be accom-
plished In the former, says the New
York Times .
The real work, so far as the Presi-
dents part In the conduct of the gov
ernment is concerned. is done In the
executive offices which were con-
structed wheE the. late President
Roosevelt decided that more room for
living purposes was required IN the
White House. Up to that time cabinet
meetings were held In the second floor
of the White House, and as othei
business activity was carried on there
as well. the privacy Of the building
as a home was seriously invaded.
Layout Of Executive Offices.
An idea of the layout of the execu-
tive Offices can be given sncc!n"tlv.
Just to the right Of the entrance 10
the pressroom. where the news press
associations have desk rooms ard teie-
phone booths. The entrance lobby Is
SPACIOUS, with long benches Mn either
side. Two uniformed policemen are
in attendance. and deal first with WIS.,
itors. Secret service men are contin-
uaIIS slipping In and cut. keeping
watchful eye on strangers.
In the rear of the executive offices
Is the Presidents room, oval In shape
and with bay window looking out
upon the south. On the right or the
Presidents room as you face II is the
office OF the secretary to the Presi-
dent. At the entrance Of the secre-
tary's room is small space given
over to a chief clerk, who acts as a
buffer between the secretary ard visi-
tors.
To the left of the Presidents room
Is a small retiring room, and adjoining
that on the left Is the cabinet room,
where the members Of the Presidents
official family meet with him at stated
intervals The Presidents room. the
secretary's room and the cabinet room
are In the rear of long corridor
which runs east and west for practi-
cally the entire width Of the building.
The remainder Of the floor space Is
taken up by general waiting room.
a congressional waiting room, where
senators and representatives who wish
to see the President or the Presidents
secretary are directed; stockroom,
n staffroom, where the White House
staff OF stenographers and clerks are
auartered, and telegraph room
through which practically all messages
that 90 by wire from or to the Presi-
dent or the White House personnel
are carried. Messenger boys seldom
put in an appearance at the white
House, as the telegraph companies
endeavor to handle all Of the vast
amount of business over the wires
entering the executive offices.
Given Right Of Way.
The telephone companies also have
extensive equipment in the White
House and executive offices. Presi
dental business is given precedence
over other business, and all operators
are ordered to obtain right of way to
White House calls, whether they are
local calls or reach to the Pacific coast.
President Harding puts In an ap-
pearance at the Presidents room In
the executive offices soon after the
breakfast hour. He Is made acquaint-
ed with the status of the days busi-
ness by his secretary. and schedule
of the interviews to be granted Is pre-
pared and posted in the press room.
1t is practically impossible for visi-
tor to get In touch with the President
at the executive offices without his
Identity becoming known.
There are few people who have a
direct point Of contact with the Presi-
dent In arranging interviews. Mem
bers Of the cabinet and diplomats with
the rank of ambassador may get d.
rectly In touch with the President, IL
they feel that circumstances make this
advisable. An ambassador Is rep
resentatIve Of the person of his s0ver-
eign and as such may go direct to the
President. Diplomats of lesser rank
must deal first with others.
Probably less than ]. per cent Of
those who seek interviews with the
President obtain personal talks with
him. The great majority Of visitors
are sidetracked.
The Sitting Of Callers.
When the days work opens the
President has fairly comprehensive
program mapped out and as a rule
adheres to II. There are certain con-
ferences essential to the conduct of
the government. with the secretary of
state In regard to some important
foreign policy. or with senator or
representative, or group Of these leg