PASS-WORD OF THE TOWER

Evening Star, Issue 18626, 6 May 1924, Page 1

PASS-WORD OF THE TOWER

LOUD MAYO IDS PRIVILEGE. A question asked by the Lord Chief Justice at tho .Masons’ banquet would have to ho answered by a good many persons, ouo supposes, in tho negative (says the London ‘ Observer’). Ho was speaking of tho various duties of the Lord Mayor, and asked whether it is “ generally, known that every week he is given the pass-word of the City of London.” Though i: every week ” and tho reference to tho city are not strictly accurate, the interesting fact remains that every quarter the pass-word of tho Tower of London for each day in tho tho three months is sent to the Lord Mayor by tho resident governor under the Sovereign’s sign manual—that is to say, the King actually signs the list of words (“ Appd. Gen. ILL”) iu his own hand. Though tho privilege is rarely if over exorcised, the pass-word enables tho Lord Mayor, at any time of the day or night, oven though the guard is sot, to pass through tho gates to sco the governor, or for any other public duty. Yflion the Lord Mayor goes out of office he communicates the pass-words for Hie remainder of tho quarter to his successor.