The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
LOWER VOICES
 AS THEY PASS
 WILSON HOUSE
'Spielers' And Theatre At tendants Keen For
 Former President
By THOMAS L. STOKES (leased Wire t0 ThA A0e. H eratd)

W NASI1lNulO4N, rep. l.-lne UWt classes of humble workers who hav' formed almost the sole connecting linl between Woodrow Wilson and the peo pie in the secluded days since he lief the White HouSe, are recalling thei experiences with Americas stricker war President. These are the boys or the rubber neck wagons" and the at tendants at his favorite theatre.
 Wizened Johnny" Cook, veteran "speiler," and "Chappie" May, wh, tells visitors to the capital of the won ders of the American capital in a cock 'ney dialect, and all the others, lowered their voices as they passed the WilsoT home Friday.
 That's where everybody wants to go," Johhny said, squinting from be hind his steel-rimmed spectacles. "They wanted to see where Wilson lived when lots of them wouldn't give a thin dim, to go to the White House."
 "Our Greatest President"
 Johnny has been on the wagons for 15 years; "Chappie" 17. Both have seen many prominent men come anl go. None has ever been such a draw ing card" as Wilson. Johnny think, there's no one like the ex-President He says so, with many fulsome phrases when his bus passes the house on $ street. Taking off his hat majestically and raising his five feet six to its limit, he introduces the visitors to thu greatest President we ever had.1 There were anxious inquiries iron the boys at Keith's vaudeville theatr, Friday. Wilson was perhaps the great est theatregoer of all the Presidents.
 MT. Wilson liked joke better thar anything else," Roland Robbins, mana ger of the theatre, said, "and he was al ways ready to swap joke. He liket the monologues and bright, snappy songs. In fact, what he seemed to likt best was lots of life"
 It was at the theatre where Wilson came into the closest contact with the people. Great crowds collected outside to watch him step into his large oper car, and loud cheers arose as <: rolled away. Wilson always acknowledged the applause, raising his hat with his feeble arm, almost mechanically, anG smiling.
 He always raised his hat when tht sightseeing busses happened by as ht was going for his afternoon ride. One of the trips nearly always made thi. connection.
 Attraction to Tourists
 "Will we see Wilson," is the ques tion always asked as the tourists ap. proach the rubberneck stands. Those who write in beforehand to sight-see. ing agencies ask for the trip which car. ries them by the ex-President's home if they go nowhere else It is the al. most unanimous demand.
 Many curious little incidents han. pen on this trip. The busses always stop for minute, while the "speiler'' talks.
 One day recently an old man sig naled for the rubberneck wagon to stop. He said he must see Woodrow Wilson," The driver. thinking he had letter or some credential, halted the car. The old fellow got out, walked to the house, and knocked on the door The butler answered, but told him he could not see Wilson. The old fellow left his cafd,9 and came back to tht car. He had known Wilson when ths latter was governor of New Jersey. The busses were turned back at the Wilson home Friday afternoon.
 When JOhnny's bus stopped to turn back, he got out to ask policeman about Wilson's condition.
 Admiral Grayson had just been there," he said, ''and Wilson was low, It's sad, mighty sad. Guess that's the last trip I'll ever make while he is Alive"
 ss Visited Soldiers Graves.
 "We used to see Wilson lots of times at Arlington-you know he always rode around that way. Just the other day l saw him get out of his car--he could hardly stand-and stumble around among the graves of the soldiers. We had two of the boys who went to France on the trip today. They spoke about him."
 Wilson took his last automobile ride on Wednesday. The last time he went to the theater was on January 12 when he saw Lionel Atwill and the two comedians, Brennan and Rogers.
 When President, his alert figure was well known in the capitals theaters After he recovered somewhat from the illness which struck him down during his last days in the White House, he went to a vaudeville show every Satur. day night when he was physically able
 He occupied the same seat, always, u-21, and there were always 10 seats five in front and four to his side which his party occupied.
 The seats were near side exit, sd that he could slip in and out of the theater with ease. A detail of police was always necessary to keep the crowds in order as he departed. Women invariably waved their handkerchiefs and men cheered.
 Wilson was also great favorite with the actors. Frequently after the crowds had left the theater, they would put on something more good for him acts which they reserved only for spe. cial occasions.
 Attendants at the theatre were very fond of him. Just before Christmas q huge bouquet of roses was presented him by the theatre, for which he wrote gracious note of thanks. When q young son was born recently to one oi the assistant managers of the theatre Wilson presented the child with a loy. ing cup.