The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

50
GETTING CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE
McKinley to the Pacific coast would have cost him thousands
of dollars had he been compelled to meet the expenses out of
his pocket. That of President Roosevelt would likewise have
cost a great amount of money. In each case there were
splendid trains of the finest Pullman coaches in the world.
THE PRESIDENTIAL TRAIN
The trains consisted of the President's private car, com-
partment and sleeping cars for members of the cabinet, news-
paper men, and other persons who traveled with the President,
dining and buffet cars. The train must be made up with a
view to the greatest comfort to the president, whose home is
practically on his car for weeks at a time. He eats and
sleeps in his car, and is there most of the time. At the con-
clusion of the journeys the railroads share the expenses, and
they are only too glad to pay the small proportion set aside to
each one. The Pennsylvania Railroad has been especially
courteous to the president of the United States for several
years. The officials insist upon placing the finest cars and
trains at the disposal of the president at all times, e.xtending
every consideration and courtesy.
President Roosevelt is a charming traveling companion, as
well as a happy spokesman to the thousands of people who
stand before him at the various points where he stops. He
eats well and sleeps well on these trips; talks individually and
heartily to all the members of his party, no matter in what sta-
tion in life they may be; looks after the comfort of all of
them, and at the conclusion of the journeys invariably gives
liberal fees to the Pullman servants who have waited upon
him.
Naturally the very best food that can be had in the world
is served to the president and his guests on these journeys,
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