The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-25
ROOSEVELT MAKES
Many CHANGES
interior of White House En-
treIy RemodeIed.
LATE PSESlDENT ARTHUR
Also Had Presidents Mansion
Rebuilt.
LATE PSESIDENT ARTHUR

| dore Roosevelt and the late PreSi
dent Chester y. Arthur will go down il
history as the makers Of the most radi
! cal changes in the interior of the Whit,
| House during the last quarter of cen
TRY. Through a strange coincidence both
entered the White House from the Vic,
| OF the remodellers of the historic mansion
Presidents chair by reason of a tragedy
| They were both citizens CT the state OF
New York
Representatives of ali the nations of the
| earth were permitted to formally view
House on New Years Day, when Presi-
| dent Roosevelt and his wife. assisted by
| the ladies of the cabinet, stood in the
| famous Blue Parlor and received the
f, greetings of the representatives of the
| world at large.
| Since last July, When Congress adj
| journed an army of workmen have been
| employed day and night making such
changes in the venerable structure as
were suggested by President Roosevelt and
the architect Mr. McKim. also of New
York.
AS the visitor approaches the White
House he observes that the conservatory.
west of the building has disappeared, and
in its place is an open esplanade or prom
enade, extending 10 the newly constructed
Executive Office, opposite the war, Navy
and State Department buildings. To the
east is a similar open gallery, beneath
which is the new public entrance, an exit
from the White House on state occa-
sions.
This addition to the building affords a
comfortable and convenient approach to
the state apartments. The long passage
is equipped with hat and cloak room IA
cilities, so that the guests are relieved
of all anxiety and confusion concerning
their wraps. They pass along the base
ment corridor, which is now transformed
into an art gallery, containing the pOr-
traits of the present and former mis-
tresses of the White House There are
retiring rooms for women and smoking
rooms for men.
The main floor is reached by a broad
stone stairway, which opens midway be
tween the East Room and the grand
vestibule at the north front The most
notable change in the interior of the
building is the absence of the costly
opalescent screen which formerly divided
the public from the private apartments
That screen was introduced during The
Arthur administration. Now four large
pillars, with open space between, afford
an unobstructed view from the vesti-
bule of the Red, Blue and Green par
lors
The Red Parlor is the living room
down stairs for the President and his
family on semi-official occasions. 1t is
there that guests assemble for state
dinners and where the members of the
Diplomatic Corps congregate at state
functions prior to their formal pIescn-
tation to the President
The adjoining room is the Blue Parlor.
where all functions of state are held
1t is there the President stands 10 re-
ceive his guests from foreign countries
when they present their credentials or
letters of recall. 1t was in that room
that the former bachelor President
Cleveland became a benedict
The Green Psrlor comes next, and is
regarded as sort of ante-chanater or
overflow rendezvous for the Blue Par
Tor when that room is crowded. These |
three rooms have been renovated am !
in accordance with the col
Ors by which they are designated and en-
ly an expert can do justice to the rich |
but effective materials employed by the |
artistic decorator.
The great East Room has undergone n
change. The sombre hues of old |
gold and bronze have given place to n |
bright gold and white effect. Tie his |
torical paintings of George Washington. |
Martha Washington. jefferson end Lin |
coin have been transferred TO some other !
part Of the mansion, and the walls are |
destitute of anything beyond the fine |
work Of the decorators. Three low nang- !
ing crystal chandeliers give the room /
long. narrow appearance. when. in fact. |
the room is almost a conn lete square.
The most pronounced change on the /
main floor is N the state dining rccm, !
In the west wing of the building.
The room has been enlarged to take ia !
the entire width OF the wide corridor. /
which divides the vestiDt'. from tine |
state departments. There = now accom-
for at least one hundred gu SITS
at table. where before it was difficult !
to seat fifty persons with comfort
The private dining room, is opposite he
state dining room. to the north, and Is |
fitted up with warm tin:ed mahogany. |
This room IS seldom used by he Presi-
dent and his family alone. for the bcunti- /
ful hospitality results in guess ut his
table ct almost every meal except brock
fast. Il also happens. too. tSat, visitors
drop in and join the President az the
repast.
The second floor has been converted 1
into a commodious suite Of living apart
ments. Of ten Sleeping rooH-c and five /
bath rooms. The main stairway is To- /
Gated in what was formerly tn han and /
which led up 10 the Presidents
ofice before the remo6elling process en-
menced. NJ the foot OF the stairway
IS an iron Sliding gateway. which rcr-
sers the upper floor strictly private. even !
though the lower floor NAV ~ oaen IL
siShtsecrs.
The general verdict IS that. although
some Of the alterations are radical a.
first since. the whsle schsme q i'm
provement- when fully worked oJt viii
reject senerl credit upon the good taste
Rnd judgment Of President Roosevelt
and his wife.
LETTER FROM SHERMAN GATES.
From Australia. Telling Of His Long