The evening times., 1900-09-18
VALET TO THE PRESIDENT.
Its Duties Told by One Who Held
That Position.
(From the Los Angeles Times1

(FrOm the Los Angeles Times-l
James NeilI, the actor man, is always
well groomed, and no wonder. He has the
valet that once pressed the creases in
President McKinley's trousers. The train
ed eye. the soft voice. the deft hand. the
thousand and one little tricks of skilled
man" have been transferred from the
service of William Mckinley to James
NeiII
When Mckinley was Governor of Ohio,
E. L. Brent was his valet. Brent has been
playing i small part. in the piece 'Aris-
tocracy' that the NeilIs recently proddc
ed In that play he came on at various
moments as NeiIIs stage valet. He comes
on much oftener than that in real life as
Neills actual man
He Joined the actor four years ago.
leaving McKinIey's service to become the
actors valet.
He is negro OF the muIatto type, good
looking. about thirty-three years old,
and as soft spoken as a grande dame.
He has q manner that is irreproaehable.
What kind Of a man is Mckinley III
his private Iife-to his valet?' / asked
Brent.
"A perfect gentleman" he replied. I
worked for him in a somewhat conhden-
tiaI capacity in Canton, Ohio, ami he was
always the finest of men TO do a yalets
work for l combined the duties OF mes
senger and second valet for Mr., McKin-
ley
What was your daily programme CT
work fer McKinley?''
I began the day by preparing his bath
and then his shaving apparatus His valet
always shaYes the President OF course
l laid out his clothes his shirts studs
linen, and neckwear. The President never
knows from one day to another what he
Will wear His valet always attends 10
that. MI NeilI. for instance. never pays
the slightest attention to his clothes.
lay them out for him, select the suit for
each day and the tie that goes with it.
When he needs a new suit. / select the
goods. with his corporation occasionally,
sometimes without. OF course it was the
same way with Mr.. Mckinley.
The President valet lays out all the
mail that comes to the house All the
morning papers are arranged for the Presi-
dents reading Mr.. Mckinley is a great
man to read the paper. He takes all of
the more prominent daIlies ana some of
the WeeklieS and glances through a score
Of them every day.
After breakfast the Presidents man IS
apt TO attend to a number of trifiing pur-
chases, or any errands that may be sug-
gested Ee remains on duty until about +
OF 5 o'clock. Of course he arranges Mr.
McKfnIey's wardrobe for any evening
function that may be on the programme.
He is always within easy call by the
President. The valet does not sleep in the
Presidential mansion. He has room of
his own elsewhere.
MI Mckinley. while always cheerful
and pleasant with his servants, never be-
Genes confidential or talkative with even
his most confidential sergant-tne valet.
In his position he could not, Of course. He
remains the same. in the privacy of his
bedchamber, while in the Wallets hands
being shaved and dressed. just as though
he were in a company of people
THE average valet is entrusted with his
masters money and has many other re-
sponsibilities and condolences that require
him to be a man who can be depended
upon.
q have carried hundreds of dollars for
the men whose valet 1 have been.
''The President is an easy man to shave.
His face is not tender He eats, usually,
several soft boiled eggs for breakfast. with
toast, chop, fruit, chocolate and occa-
sionaIly an oyster cocktail. He is an in
veterate smoker. His valet always buys
his cigars l do not suppose you care to
know just what brand he smokes. It is
an imported Havana cigar, quite strong
He smoked many of these in day when
l was in his service.
The position OF valet to such man as
Mr. Mckinley is much sought after and
is priced. What does an average valet re
ceiye? Mr.. McKinleys valet gets about
$40 month