St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1903-05-13
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence

lh5 lllC uuOCloluC VI illS, poJ y IhtAS AZ
has found a situation, even in the beau
tiful city of Washington, which would
shock even the Londoners.
"You have worse places right here in
Washington" said he, with all its fine
buildings and wide streets, than even
London can produce. l have found
buildings here inhabited by human be-
ings that would not be tolerated in
London for day, even if inhabited by
q coster's donkey
"Within stones throw of the Brit
fish embassy | saw novels today not fit
for pigs to live in, and within few
hundred yards of your beautiful capitol
l found similar situation.
'Ten years ago came here to study
the architecture and landscape of the
American capital. 1 am here now to
study the other side, and l am very
much shocked to find that there is an
other side, a worse side than l ever
dreamed Of. l shall take back with
me to London a different picture this
time. Really your people will have to
attend to this matter"
The Summer Maneuvers.
Announcement has been made Of the
general outline of the summer maneu-
ers in which the army and navy will
engage. The army having expressed a
wish that the joint maneuvers be held
at Portland, Me-, the battle ships
squadron will operate there, together
with division of the army, during the
latter part of August, the tentative
dates being Aug. % to Aug. 20. The
battle ships that will participate are
the Maine, Kearsarge, Illinois, Ala
bama and Massachusetts. AS the army
is DESTROYS of testing the efficiency OF
the forts, guns and other defenses at
Portland, the maneuvers will consist
of attacks night and day upon that
point by the formidable battle fleet,
which probably will be commanded by
Rear Admiral Barker.
Several days prior to the joint ma
neuvers the sea force will engage in
search problem, the locality selected to
be somewhere on the New England
coast. vet to be determined. In this
problem the battle feet will be in
creased by the coast guard squadron
under Rear Admiral Sands, thus add
ing the battle ships Texas and Indiana,
with the new monitors and a number
of torpedo boat destroyers.
Palm Garden.
Comparatively few Washingtonians
are aware that the largest palm garden
in the United States is located in Wash
ington within a government building
on the principal thoroughfare of the
city and daily passed by thousands OF
pedestrians.
This garden was started about TWO
years ago. 1t is hoped that within
few years the place will become the
most beautiful conservatory OF palms
to be seen in any city in this country.
The idea of making palm garden
of the big court of the post office bulld-
ing originated with William r. Smith,
the veteran superintendent of the DO
tanic gardens. Mr.. Smith is one of the
most learned and enthusiastic students
of palms in the world. His long and
practical experience as gardener, TO-
gether with his wide knowledge and
1 observation, has made him an expert
in this line.
A Pony In the White House.
Archie Roosevelt, who is recovering
from the measles, had visitor the oth-
or day whose visit will do more to re-
store him to health than all the medl-
cine the doctor can give him. Soon
after Archie began to convalesce ne
begged to be allowed to see his spotted
pony.
It was too soon for Archie to leave
his room, and Mrs. Roosevelt was COM
PEELED to decline the request. Charles'
the groom who looks after the pony
and who also is great chum OF Arcnle,
thought the matter over and concluded
that if Archie wanted to see his pony
he should do so.
Without confding his plan to any
one, he led the pony the other day into
the White House and along the CORR
dor into the elevator. The attendants
were too much surprised to say word
until after the elevator had disappear
ed. When the second floor was reach
ed. Charles led the pony to Archles
room and ushered it in. Archie was
delighted. and the pony also seemed
to enjoy the visit.
This is the first time that horse mas
ridden in a White House elevator.
New White House Carriages.
Two new carriages have been addeo
to the presidents stables, one OF winch
is q large landau and the other sur
rev which has a trimming of basket
work about the upper part Of the two
seats. This effect is the latest style
and is found in the finest imported
coaches of English manufacture. The
White House livery under President
Mckinley was dark blue coat anc
trousers, the latter reaching to the foot
This has been changed by President
Roosevelt. With a coat of dark blue
there are now white breeches, tight
fitting and short to the knee, paten
leather boots completing the outfit
On the high hat is red, white anC
blue cockade. Ten men are employed
about the stables.