Evening star., 1901-09-16
Arranging the East Room for Re-
ception Of the Body.
CASKET TO Be UNDER BIGCHANDELIER
Others Whose Remains Have
Rested on That Spot.
DISPATCHES AS TO DETAILS

The necessary preparations were made
at the White House today for the reception
of the late Presidents body tonight. Gen.
Barry. who will have charge OF the White
House until tomorrow morning. was at the
Executive Mansion during the morning.
There will be no decorations except those
that may be sent as tokens of regard for
the dead. Whatever floral emblems are
sent to the White House will be placed in
the east room, where the body will repose
tonight
Men were at work today placing Irish
point lace curtains over the big windows in
the east room. The curtains were taken
down In the spring, and would not have
been put up until later. but the room look
ed so bare that 1t was decided to place
these over the windows.
Where the Casket Will Rest.
The casket viii rest In the center of the
east room upon pedestals that will be pro-
vided by the undertakers. The body OF
President Lincoln lay in the same place
right under the center chandelier. with its
myriads of cut glass pieces and electric
light bulbs. The room is the largest in
the Executive Mansion. and Is the only one
in which the public is ever allowed to visit.
The red, green and blue parlors will be
used tonight by the members and intimate
friends or the Mckinney family.
1t was in the east room that for long
time President Mckinley used to hold his
public receptions twice a week in the after
noon. He shook hands with thousands OF
people on each occasion. These receptions
were continued until the work Of the Span
ish war became heavy that President
Mckinley could not spare the time to con-
tinue them Since then many special re-
ceptions of visiting and other delegations
have been held in the room.
From the walls of the east room the
faces of Washington, Lincoln and Jeffer-
son will look down upon the dead chief
executive. The painting OF Lincoln hangs
in the northeast corner OF the room and
that Of Jefferson in the southwest corner.
Others Who Have Rested There.
The body of Walter Q. Gresham. former
Secretary of State, lay in state in the same
portion OF the east room where will rest
tonight the remains Of the dead President.
President Garfield's body was not taken to
the White House at all. 1t was taken di-
rect to the Capitol from the depot and to
the depot direct from the Capitol. Presi-
dent Loncoln'S body was embalmed in the
very room that President and Mrs Mckin-
ley have occupied over four years as their
bed room. After the body was embalmed
it was placed in the east room until taken
to the Capitol.
grounds at the White House tonight ex-
cept those entitled to admission and the
doors of the White House will be open only
to members Of the family and those in con-
sultation with them.
Col Montgomery and his corps of White
House telegraphers were busy all day re-
ceiving dispatches relating to details Of the
obsequies. These bore on different features
of the program and came from Buffalo.
Not much official work is being done at
the White House. The clerks are at their
posts feeling little like work. but ready to
do what is necessary to continue the rou-
tine Of the government. Assistant Secre-
taries Pruden and Barnes are In charge
and refer to the different departments all
communications needing attention.