Evening star., 1938-02-13
When the President
Goes Travelling
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

the nrSt citizen, 1t Is conceived to be o
part Of his duty to show himself to hts
constituents, and, in person, to carry tks
message Of Americanism throughout the
length and breadth OF the land. In the
early days travel was difficult. 1t was
by coach and post chaise and, when
possible, by boat. With the advent OF
the railways Q new day came and Presl-
dents could travel farther afield and
more swiftly.
Today-and FOR several administrations
behind us-the President in addition to
his salary OF $4,000 year, is given by
Congress the sum of SIS, COO q year to
defray travelling and entertainment ex-
penses. Some Presidents have been
greater gadabouts than others-some Use
practically the entire appropriation,
while others leave something to be turned
back into the Treasury at the end of the
fiscal year. It Is recognized that It Is q
proper public expense for taxpayers to
meet this presidential travelling expense
when a President is travelling wholly as
such and not, for example, as q canGi.
date. In the latter case there are some
expenses which he must pay himself or
have betrayed for him by the Democratic
or the Republican National Committee
as the case may be.
i X
The American railroads take pride in
furnishing the Presidents special with
the last thing in equipment. From loco
motive to private car, which always is at
the rear Of the train, every item Of equip
ment is tested and reteSted and OF the
best. Though this is a democracy 1t is
in the nature of things that the head of
the greatest democracy in the world
should travel in state. He does not move
without something approaching q regal
retinue. The detail of preparing for q
trip and shepherding it through all Its
intricacies is matter which requires
many busy managers to figure out.
The Presidential Special when it leaves
the National Capital, usually is train
of some length. The rear car is the spe-
cial, private car of the President. His
sleeping quarters are there and his
lounge or salon where he may entertain
guests. There is his own private dining
room on that car and, of course. the
highly important observation platform
on which he must appear when the train
pauSes at towns along the way in order
that he may show himself to his admir-
ers, lean down and shake hands with
the crowding populace. and, often, deliver
an impromptu address.
&*
Next ahead is the Office car. In this
car one finds the secretariat the clerical
staff of the Executive. One or more of
the Presidents private secretaries are to
be found there at desks especially pro-
vided for them. President Roosevelt al
ways has on this staff Miss LIE Hand and
she has stenographer. If Mrs. Roose-
welt happens to be travelling on the Presi.
dental Special it is likely that Mrs.
Schneider, her personal secretary also will
be in the secretariat car. There are also
typists and other necessary helpers.
The press occupies an important posi-
ton on any presidential trip and one or
two cars may be set aside for the corre-
spondents. They are bunked in COM
partments where they set up their type
writer's. On long jumps-say on a trans
continental trip-they will be received for
conference in the Presidents private car.
Woman correspondents and the secre-
taries and stenographers form the fem.
mime contingent on the train.
&k%
Not infrequently the President win
have guests with him. There may be q
member of the cabinet or some other dis
tinguished statesman or it may be q per-
sonal friend. Also, as the progress
through the land is made, visitors will
come aboard and. perhaps, ride day or
a night with the President and accommo-
dations must be provided. An entire car
usually is required for these persons.
There is dining car for the use of
such guests as do not sit at the Presi-
dents private table, for the newspaper
correspondents and for others, such as
some members of the secretariat who are
aboard. Passing on up the train it is
found that sleepers are provided for those
who are on the train in one capacity or
another and there must be space for the
help-porters, walters and the like Then
there is club car and the baggage car,
which normally is very heavily laden.
From ten to dozen Secret Service
men will be aboard. The Secret Service
has an anxious task on these trips Elab-
crate arrangements are made in advance,
and while the operatives aboard have
their own duties there also are almost
always unbeknown to the public, others
mingling with the crowds wherever stops
are made. The railroad companies police
and engineering forces make careful in
spections of trackway along the route
and of all mechanical equipment. Moth
ing IS forgotten.
.
Communication is of the utmost i'm
portance. Wherever the President Of the
United States goes, there is the head of
tn Govrnment. He does not cease to be
President when he leaves Washington.
He is still President at What Cheer, Iowa,
or East Culdesac, Idaho. This means
that telegraphic arrangements must be
perfected. The telegraph companies, in
formed in advance Of presidential trips,
have the most complicated arrange
ments prepared. The train Is no sooner
stopped than telephone connections are
made right in the train, not only for the
President and his secretariat, but for the
press. At the last grind Of the brakes
communication is established.
In fairly recent times radio has been
added. The large broadcasting COM
panies have their own representatives
aboard the Presidential Special. Each
has his own batteries-for out in the viii
derness it is not feasible to depend on
local current. Each has an independent
broadcasting unit. Each has an engi-
neer in charge in addition to IN an
nouncer. From the ends Of the earth,
seemingly within few moments. the
radio people can set up their apparatus
and the voice of the President may be
heard around the world.
It is only the cost Of the Presidents
own portion Of these heavy expenses
IL