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¶ The President is in the Black Hills but his watch is still in Washington. As recently as last week, at any rate, the presidential timepiece was still set at Washington time—two hours ahead of time in the Black Hills. The clock in the State Lodge kitchen was also running on Eastern time. Thus the President, rising at 7 a. m. by his watch, rose at 5 a. m. by Black Hills' time. He has on several occasions arrived at Rapid City ahead of his staff; and his secretary, Everett Sanders, now goes to bed at 8:30 p. m. (Mountain Time).
¶ The President, in Rapid City, took a telephone receiver off its hook, called Washington, D. C., got his connection in three seconds. The time was said to be a new record for the distance—some 2600 miles.
¶ To the President came Howard Elliott, Chairman of the Board of the Northern Pacific R. R., Hale Holden, President, and Charles E. Perkins, General Manager, of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. They discussed the proposed merger between the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern railroads, a question which the Interstate Commerce Commission will later decide.