New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-07
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

Washington Nov. tSpeciaD-Thc President s
first day in his office began soon after .
o clock and busy d steady stream OF
visitors occupying his attention until late in tbs
afternoon. when he went for horseback ride with
Secretary Root. The building, which was oc-
cupied for the first time. proved admirably adapted
for executive purposes. and the excellent arrange
ments for the enlarged clerical force promise TO
facilitate the dispatch Of business. The furnish
inss luxurious. compared with anything Mr.
Roosevelt'S predecessors have enjoyed, and the
building. although its exterior is unattractive. iS
tngeniousiy designed to meet the various necessities
Of a Presidents workshop, providing notably for
the privacy of it's occupants when they wish TO be
undisturbed. while accommodating the crowds Of
visitors who must wait their turn The new office
building Is unpTetentiouS. II is story, of brick
painted white. and has three Roman Doric col
umns at the entrance. In general way the severe
classic style of architecture OF the White House
has been followed. The entrance opens into a re-
ception room lighted from above by a glass dome
Directly behind this is the large room Of Secre-
tary Cortelyou The Presidents room is in the
southeast corner. overlooking the White Lot and
commanding a fine view of Arlington and the
Potomac II is separated from Secretary Cortel-
you's room by a small private consultation room
On the north il opens into the Cabinet This
wing communicates directly with the White House
by OF a walk under the old terrace. which
was formerly the foundation of the conservatory.
The west side Of the building is occupied by exec
utive clerks. The woodwork Of the interior Is
produced.
Mrs Roosevelt's unexpected return with the
President last night, and their occupancy for the
first time. with two Of the children Archibald and
Quentin, of their apartments in the remodelled
White House, marks the beginning Of ante
official season. even though the mansion unfit
for entertaining. Mrs. Roosevelt does not intend
leave town until after Christmas Miss Alice
Roosevelt will return To the White House in
couple OF weeks.
President Roosevelt will leave Washington next
Monday midnight. and will not return until
after the reception to Luke L. Wright. vice-Gov-
ernor of tine Philippines ct Memphis, Tenn, on
November 10. Hs will attend the dedication OF the
Chamber OF Commerce Building in NewYork on
Tuesday, and will make a speech at the dinner that
night The next day he Will go West and south
His exact itinerary has not been announced. but
mississippi before going to Memphis On his re-
turn he will stop in Washington only one day. as
ne has accepted an invitation 10 attend the Union
League dinner IN Philadelphia on November =
y question arose recently to the correctness
OF the design or the coat or arms displayed on the
Presidents flag. which has been in use in the navy
for many years. Attention vas first called 20 the
matter when "A foreign attache remarked that IL
was strange the army and navy should have two
different flags for the President IL then
discovered that they differed in regard to the
OF arms. The State Department was called upon
for an authentic copy Of the coat Of arms II
showed seven white and six red stripes in the
shield. while the Navy Departments flag had seven
red stripes and six white The question was
referred to the President. but he sent il back
the department for decision While Acting Sec
rotary Darling has not made a formal decision. he
inclines TO follow the State Department.
President E J. James, Of Northwestern Uuiver-
sity, called the President to-day. He is great
~ Interested in the college training OF for the
public service. and talked with the President on
that subject.