The Washington times., 1937-08-05
D. C, RIDES SANS
SIRENS FAVORED
BY ROOSEVELT.
President DiSpenSeS
With Fanfare
BY EARL GOODWIN


The probability is that President
Roosevelt would like to do some
thing like the tabled incognito
journeys around Baghdad credited
to Caliph Haroun Al Raschid-be-
cause he is riding around the city
and neighboring country without
police escort more than he ever
did before; more than any other
President in Is years.
This was discussed yesterday by
old-time White House attaches
who were aware of the fact that
President Roosevelt, in his 20-mile
motor trip to inspect some Naval
hospital sites, was held up by red
lights in common with scores of
others in cars, trucks and on mo-
torcycles.
Ordinarily Presidents go tear
ing through red lights and other
traffic barriers. Ahead of the
Presidential open car with its con-
spicuouS seal of the United States
are generally from four to six
screaming motorcycles bearing as
many alert policemen.
Does Not Like 1t
Motorcycle police frequently
run alongside, and behind the
cavalcade of President, Secret Serv-
ice men, press cars and camera
men, there is generally one motor
cycle bring UP the rear. The noise
of the popping motors added to
the incessant screaming of the
sirens Scares the ordinary red
light into submission and brings
the whole world to attention as
the column Of wildly rushing cars
shoot by.
The President does not like this.
So he took his Naval Hospital in
Spection site without police aid.
Behind him was a car filled with
Secret Service men and behind that
a car of White House newspaper
men who follow the President on
all trips except the few personal
visits the President has made in
the vicinity of Washington re-
Gently.
The President can never leave
the White House grounds, by day.
light at least, that there is not a
cluster of waiting men and women
to see him, cheer, clap and take
numerous pictures. Whenever he
makes a motor exit from the
White House grounds this occurs.
Wait at the Gate
There is never any announce
ment that he is going to leave, but
tourists and others have caught
on to the fact that when half a
dozen White House policemen are
at one of the south gates it means
that someone is coming out . So
they wait.
Yesterday was no exception.
The President made a sudden de-
cision to visit outlying sites which
might be used for the naval hos
pital. There was no time to have
this announcement percolated
through the city-and yet when
the President rolled out from the
southeast gate, there were 200 or
more people waiting there with
the interested faces which still
smile at Franklin D. Roosevelt
wherever he appears in public.
But as he rolled through the
city west of the White House with
out the terrific noise of the motor
cycle escort he was unnoticed most
Of the time. 1t was about 1920
in the morning when he started,
there was the usual amount of
morning traffic in the downtown
streets; but most Of it passed by
him without the drivers knowing
that the Chief Executive and en-
tourage were going by.
Wave Cars Away
Secret Service men in a large
open car waved at approaching
cars and especially trucks-signal-
ing to them to keep away. Now
and then a painting motorcycle
would try to pass the procession,
and the Secret Service car would
swing in it's way, bringing curses
from the cyclists, most of whom
do not yet know they were being
made the objects of the Secret
Services traditional unyielding
caution.
Now and then a pedestrian, OF
someone standing on the curb
would notice President Roosevelt
and would almost burst with ex
element. Young women gener
ally gasp, gurgle. shrek and be
gin jumping up and down when
they suddenly are aware they are
near President Roosevelt and look
ing straight at him.
Truck drivers are likely to grin
wipe their mouths and wave q
hand, shouting, Hi there, Mr.
President"