Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-04
Meeting President.

Meeting President.
THREE pretty young women emerged
from a door of the executive offices
ct the White House flushed and excited
HE doesn't shake hands nicely at all, ;"
one exclaimed.
II was all set" another said, ito tell
him we were returning his. visit TO
Charlottesville but they pushed me by
so fast didn't have chance.
Pushed" queried the third. i was
fairly showed through"
They had just been introduced and
had shaken hands with the President
three Of the 225 who had filed past the
Chief Executive that morning at the
daily public reception.
Keep Moving.
1t is an easy matter to meet the Pres
'ident of the United States. All that is
necessary is letter from a member OF
Congress. These gentlemen jump az the
opportunity. More than one has made
his seat in Congress bit more secure
by making it possible for his constitu-
ents to shake the Presidents hand.
Armed with his letter, the next step
Is to see Pat McKenna, the veteran
doorkeeper to the executive offices. He
looks you over and assigns you place
In line
If the President is not behind with his
daily schedule the door to his Office is
opened at 1890 pm. The line files
through quickly and silently, guided on
one side by the doorkeeper, on the other
by secret service man.
The President stands at the door, just
inside. apparently glad to see everyone
He wears a benign smile as he varies
his greeting from Il am pleased TO i
am delighted, l assure you Even as
he greets you his eye has wandered TO
the person behind. There is nothing to
do except keep moving. One feels he
would have gotten the same satisfac-
ton had he seen the President motor
by on Pennsylvania avenue.
They Like 1t.
But they like it-these visitors. IN
variably they emerge by the other door,
their faces wreathed in smiles. It is
easy to see that they are greatly salts
fled with themselves. The stories they
will tell the home folks are written all
over their faces. For most Of them it
is apparently one of the greatest days
of their lives.
Occasionally the President will con-
sent to pose for a picture with some
delegation This is rare.
II party from some foreign country
Is formally presented, then enough time
is spared to say word of welcome.
Usually, however, the line keeps NOV
ing.
THE soldiers who stand guard 10
hours every day at the tomb OF the
Unknown Soldier regard their selection
as one of the most cherished military
honors
One who visits this hallowed spot in
Arlington Cemetery and watches the
sentinel pace back and forth, more than
likely has thought, He must be tired
of that--it must be monotonous."
But to the soldier it is different
story. He is proud of his lot. He gets
tremendous kick in walking those 81
steps up and 81 steps back. And ii q
crowd is around the minutes fairly rush
by Eyes to the front, shoulders back,
chin in. rife on shoulder in precise po-
sition, he PAGES back and forth, hardly
aware Of the strain.
Detail Every Fifteen Days.
The guard detail at the Unknown's
tomb is supplied for as days at time
from the engineers at Fort Humphrey
the infantry at Fort Washington and
the cavalry at Fort Myer. Eight meI
are chosen from each of these posts
They are selected in competition fol
neatness in dress, drill, manners ano
discipline. Each detail guards the tomt
for Is days. and the sentinel walks uL
and down in front of the tomb three
scur= and 20 minutes each DAY. The
remainder of the day he is free.
Aside from the fact that selection FOL
duty at the tomb is an honor, other fac
tors make the assignment popular ont
with the soldiers. During the Is day;
they are free from all other duties.
Impression Created.
The primary purpose of having al
honor guard is TO make certain tina
nothing shall be done that will consti
tute disrespect 10 the Unknown Soldier
Formerly, visitors were in the habit o
sitting on the tomb. eating lunch ther'
and scattering litter about the grave
Attempts were even made to chip of
bits of granite for souvenirs
The presence Of military authority, O