Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-01-18

fair day somewhere be-
yond the clouds carefully
adjusts a pair of imitation tortoise
shell-rimmed speCtacles to his angelic
nose, and begins calling the honor
roll OF heroes who went unwept and
unsung here on this thoughtless
planet two of the first he pages will
be a brace of Washington cops.
Up in the polished chambers of the
State Department there are some
carefully manicured and Immediately
tailored gentlemen who rightly ad-
nit that they have been schooled in
the polite art of diplomacy. But if
you want to see the real technique of
tact applied in the fullest sense of its
meaning, you viii have to meet First
Sergt c. l.. Dalrymple and his help
mate, Duty Sergt. Ernest NJ. Seaman.
They are President CooIidge's sec
retaries Of state for domestic affairs
his official greeters. Drop up to the
White House executive Offices any
fine, bright morning, summon up sur
ficient courage to push open the glst-
ening plate glass doors. step across
the well washed Threshold. and the
next minute you will find a genial
face smiling into your own, greeting
you with a welcome that will almost
make you wonder whether its owner
has not really mistaken you for the
President himself.
That will be First Sergt Dalrymple
Of the White House police. And
about two PAGES or SO obliQuely
behind his left elbow will be another
heaming figure, immaculate in carefully
pressed and creased uniform of blue
and gold. Having seen him, you will
have met Sergt. Seaman, and if it hap
pens to be your first visit to those IA
nous offices you are not at all unlikely
to begin thinking you must bear some
striking resemblance to the Prince Of
Wales, or similarly distinguished per
sonage.
But Sergt. Dalrymple and Sergt. Sea-
man are experts in their business. For
nearly three decades they have been
helping 10 guard the lives and property
of Americas Presidents, and in that
time they have greeted thousands and
thousands of men and women, children,
and even babies, persons from all
walks of life. with all sorts of motives.
and almost with every variety OF per
sonaIity- They know their business and
how to conduct it.
While their courteous Good morning,
sir" and obedient smiles are putting
you astonishingly at your ease, and,
perhaps, making you puff out your
chest further and further, they are look
ing way, way back into your thoughts
and, almost before you are able to make
them known, have analysed them and
are already determining what is to be
done with you.
Without ever knowing it, you are
going through the first degree of the
test that is to decide whether your bust
ness at the White House is legitimate or
not-and they actually make you like it,
= = K ::
DURING the past year nearly 100. 900
~ persons called at the White House
These figures do not include the steady
stream of Government officials. State
officials. members of Congress and resi-
dent diplomats who call to see the
President by definite appointment So
II can readily be understood why il is
essential that the Nations Chief EXecU
tive should have at the entrance to his
offices men who are adept at ascertain
ing ones business without offending
one.
or this vast crowd, all but hand
full were bent upon legitimate pur-
suits. Some had business to con-
duct; others only wished to see the
White House; most of them were
tourists and wanted TO go back home
and boast to friends and relatives
that, while in Washington, they had
actually shaken hands with the Pres
ident. But a few, trifling number
by omparison, had other motives,
imaginary missions that were the
somewhat dangerous products Of un-
balanced minds.
For instance. not long go a veneer
able looking gentleman walked bllthe-
" down the winLlng gravel road
that leads from the main entrance
of the White House grounds to the
Executive Offices. Without the slight
est hesitation, he pushed open the
wide, swim ging plate glass doors and
entered the lobby, without the slight
est sign of nervousness to betray
any illegitimate mission.
Good morning, sir" beamed Sergt.
Dalrymple. AT the regular angle.
Sergt. Seaman echoed the salute with
one Of his most courteous smiles.
Il would like to see the President"
asked the kindly faced old gentleman.
Have you letter of introduce
tion?" asked the effervescent Dali
rymple.
NO, sir, I have not" came the
Buave reply.
'Ah. then perhaps a card for an
appointment"
mo, no card"
We'll, may I inquire what you
would like to see the President
about?" returned the Sergeant.
All the while, both of the guard
carefully watching the caller. He
had every appearance of being moth
ing but a nice old man; but some
where IN his makeup, the two ex-
perts had detected something wrong.
They knew he had come on a peculiar
mission, and they did not intend to
let him get away until they found
out what 1t was; 1t might have been
dangerous state of mind.
1tnI OH Wit
superior air, have a message for
Calvin Coolidge from God"
"Ah l see" replied the now gravely
polite Dalrymple
Just step this way, sir" echoed
Seaman.
In a few minutes the old gentleman
was seated in a nice, safe room, and
found himself being introduced to a
serious young man as one of the
undersecretaries. He was, in truth,
Secret Service man. There the
old man was thoroughly questioned
without ever realizing that he was
being cross examined, and the Secret
Service man learned enough to know
that the caller was harmless.
He had no intention of harming the
President. He probably thought he
really had a message from God to
give to the Nations chief executive.
But had he gotten into the Presi-
dents office, he might have attempt
ed to hold a revival service and caused
some embarrassing moments. He was
simply persuaded that the President
was too busy to see him, his relatives
were notified of the incident, and
nothing more was heard of it or the
enlissary from Deity
X
MOT all such callers fare so we'll
~ One put in his appearance within
the memory Of this administration