The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-09-04
WHITE MOUSE CHANGES
Entire Floor Of Second Story to
Be Raised.
ANTIQUE FURNITURE PREFERRED

Mrs. Roosevelt Will Use Historic Ar
ticIes In the Rernodelea Mansios
Plate and China Like Those OF For-
ner Days--Originnl Proportions OF
Famous East Room VIII BE Re-
tanned.
Work on the White House is pro
crossing satisfactorily. Colonel Bing-
ham, who is supervising the improve
ments, returned to Washington from
Oyster Bay the other day after sub
hitting the latest suggestions for deco
orations to the president and Mrs.
Roosevelt.
One feature which has claimed espe-
cial attention is lowering the ceiling
Of the east room, says the New York
World. Popular opinion has declared
that the original aspect of the famous
east room should be preserved, and the
president has given his word that
vox populi will be respected. Archi-
tects were very DESTROYS of making
the ceilings of first and second floors
correspond, as 1t would present more
harmonious sight when the grand
stairway is carried to the living apart
ments Had this plar been followed
the stately ceiling of the east room
would have been lowered at least six
feet, and much of the grace of the
apartment would have been lost.
The president has decided that the
entire floor of the second story must
be raised, since Mrs. Roosevelt has a
decided objection to the steps which
hitherto have been used in entering
the east side of the mansion.
On the second floor the wide corridor
will be extended throughout the length
of the house, with chambers opening
on each side. There will be three
arches, the last just where the gran9
stairway reaches the sleeping rooms
This arch can be covered with drapery
to give more privacy to the apartments
Of the presidents family.
The president and Mrs. Roosevelt
/ will choose one Of the new rooms for
their apartment Naturally they de
sire their names to be identified with
the most important change in the
White House since its occupancy-that
Of removing the offices from the dwell
ing place of the presidents.
Mrs. Roosevelt has not yet made
final choice for her best room, but has
intimated that the present library will
IA III 4 r,p-
fee of the president and Lis secretary.
which will so to history as The wall
ing place of the politicians" and will
hereafter be the nursery and playroom
for the children.
The library will be removed to the
large room on the northeast corner.
where the clerical force formerly had
quarters. The room which the presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt have used
since coming to the White House is ths
large sunny one on the southwest cor
ner, around which clusters more his
toric interest than any other in the
house. Long ago "Old Hickory Sc
lected 1t because of the magnificent
view of the river had from its win
dows. Here he hung the picture OF
his wife and with the fine hospitality
of those times always insisted on Civ,
ing this room to his guests, since he
considered it the best and most conn
Portable in the mansion.
President and Mrs Lincoln used this
room, and in it little Tad died. 1t
was Nellie Grants room, and after
her departure for England after her
marriage it became the guest cham
Der. Julia Dent Grant, now the Prin-
cess Cantacuzene, the first grand
daughter Of the warrior president, was
born in this room. 1t was Mrs. Cleve-
lands nursery and served a like pur-
pose during the incumbency Of Presi-
dent Harrison, when the Mckee babies
ruled supreme. Mrs. Mckinley occu-
pied the room which Is now Miss Alice
Roosevelt's, the northwest apartment.
1t is the only room in the house as
then arranged that had dressing
room adjoining, and many times when
President Roosevelt had guests little
Ethel occupied a cot in this dressing
room
Mrs Roosevelt has been giving her
attention recently to furnishings for
the new bedrooms. She will use all
the old mahogany which she had stored
for lack Of space when she came to
Washington. Some Of this is Of great
value and dates back to the first mis-
tress of the White House, Abigail Ad-
ans.
1t is Mrs. RooseveIt's desire to give
preference to historic furnishings
rather than try new. She is adopting
like policy with silver. Whenever
there is a remnant of old plate she is
using it rs a model for the new
service. She has also made inquiries
among relatives Of former presidents
to get designs of forks and spoons
they possessed.
When society meets on the lawn
next year and again enjoys the open
air hospitality of the Roosevelts, it
will take tea from cups like those Dolly
Madison used and have spoons like
those trea SllreS Abigail Adams brought