Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-07-10
WHITE HOUSE CARDS
Invitations to Social Events Written
by Expert Penmen.
Four of the Best writers I'm Govern
ment Service Engaged 20 send
out Cards for the Recent
Roosevelt Receptions.

The preparation of invitations to
the four great social events Of the sea-
son at the white house-the receptions
of the president a work that re-
quires great care ana the most expert
penmunship. The several thousand
people who receive invitations 20 each
of the four receptions necessarily no.
tice the attractive and beautiful PEN
manship, amounting almost to engrav-
ing. This work is done by some of the
most noted penmcn in the service OF
the United States government says
the Washington Star.
The cards of invitation to each re-
ception are engraved, and contain
blanks for the name of the person or
persons invited. These blanks are
filled in by the pcnmen. During the
social season just closed two penmen
we're engaged in writing the names on
the cards, while two Others wrote the
addresses on the envelopes containing
the cards. With all four men writing
beautifully is a profession, and fire.
quentiy those invited to reception
would wonder whether tn, name was
engraved or written. This work was
done by j. L. McGrew, clerk in the
navy department; S. L. Sullivan, of the
post office department; W w. Morti-
mer, of the interior department, and
Z. l.. Kimmel, of the treasury.
The four men, aided by two stenog-
raphers and typewfiters, worked un-
der the supervision of Thomas II.
Netherland Of the white house force,
himself noted expert in writing. For
three or four years Mr.. Netherland has
had charge of the invitations to these
receptions, and his work has been so
| satisfac' ory MS to receive the hearty
commcndatiOn Of Secretary Cortclyou.
Mr.. Nether'and occasionally does
some of the writing himself, but his
| duty consists in seeing to the prepara-
tion ani distribution Of the invitations
to the care Of the lists of the invited,
and to the Thousand and one other
things that come before him. He die
tates the answers to the requests for
|
ing up of the lists. The lists are kept
from year TO year, and Mr. Neither
| land knows jut who were invited to
receptions in other years and who
were refused invitations. He is
| kind of walking encyclopaedia
of the socia! and political stand
ing and the affiliations of Wa ,hington
and other people. lie is so discreet
that never word escapes from his
mouth about his duties and whatever
he has to say is put before his chief,
Secretary Cortelyou, who is RESPONSE
Bile for the way in whSsh the work is
done.
The work OF writing the invitations
is frequently begun weeks ahead of
the time fixed. Certain classes of peo-
pie are invited to every reception. and
their Invitations can be written and put
aside ready for delivery when others
are made out.
The handwriting EXPERTS are not
usually fast penmen. Swftness and
beauty Of writing are seldom found
together, ard so the experts take time
in afiiNlHr the names of society peo-
pie TO th' cards and envelopes. All
OF the four men engaged the las; sea-
son were q assigned from other depart
ments, and Mr.. Nothcrland is the only
one belonging permanently on the
white house rolls.