The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-10
HE RUNS THE WHITE HOUSE.
Washington Star.


Maj. Thomas w. symons. who succeeds Col.
Theodore Bingham as master OF ceremonies
at the White Eouse. comes to Washington to
buildings and grounds Of the District Of Column
bia, and when he takes up his new duties he will
Colonel Of engineers r This title. hO%sver. does
not give the slightest indication Of the duties TO
In the first place in his new Office Colonel
Symons Will serve as military aid TO the Presi-
dent. and as such ne will have direct charge Of
position that has been filled for the past i've
years by Col. Theodore Bingham. It Will be
Colonel Symons's duty at all social functions at
the White House to assume direct charge of all
self, he will probably be the most conspicuous
parsonage In the entire building. hurrying here
programme carefully worked out in advance
with trained military precision is carried out
without hitch. 1t is the duty of the master of
ceremonies TO introduce all guests to the Presi-
dent as they approach him.
The social functions at the White House. espe-
wise, require large amount OF preparation in
order that they may pass off in a decorous man:
be entirely in the hands OF Colonel Symons. who
must see to the decorations Of the rooms to be
guests to be entertained-in fact he will in every
and first lacy of the land the entire response
bility. worry and care Of giving an entertain
places for the reception of guests that every
thing will be as it should be had they given the
Having arranged the details for entertainment,
the master of ceremonies is compelled to give
tertained. In the first place. in the national
capital, where are congregated all the diplomats
S to na
This has been bugbear in the hands OF every
oiciais Seats at the table must be SO '" aT
ranged as to satisfy each diplomatic representa-
tied In cass Of Doubt cOon ne syon ne has the
state Department to fall back on, but. never
theless. he has to solve the problems at the risk
In addition to his duties as master Of ceremo-
Colonel symons becomes the custodian Of the
funds and paymaster general OF the house,
hSd In other FER words .S all moneys aDproprlatsd
White House are placed In the hands OF Colonel
symons. and It is he who has to expend every
counting for every sxps1dsd from % cents
to thousands Of dollars for recarpeting the
o1assE Of the White House he + in no way the
nor is he responsible for 1t. That function is
performed by a steward who is bonded to take
walls Of the Executive Mansion The personal
property of the Roosevelts is looked after by
the eSina glass 0 plate
and other articles within the mansion belonging
needed Colonel Symons will be called upon by
the President to make the purchase. but when it
arrives at the White House within a few days
Colonel Symonss responsibility ends.
But this American Pooh Bah has other duties
He 10 the military aid Of the President, as was
said at the outset. This means that on every
occasion when the President appears in public
not. OF course. in his private strolls through the
streets OF the city, Colonel Symons must don his
full regimentals, resplendent with gold lace and
with feathered chapeau, and take his place at
the Presidents side This, of course, brings
him into an intimate relation with the chief
executive, being the cause that such an officer is
always selected for personal reasons.
Having cared for the many duties required by
his attendance upon the President and the White
House. Colonel Symons will then turn his at
tention to the other duties of his Office 'officer
in charge OF public buildings and grounds -
Any attention that Is needed by the Washing
ton monument. any OF the numerous public
buildings and the parks Of Washington must re-
ceive his attention. Whenever new statue is
authorized by Congress for the national capital
Colonel Symons must attend to its erection
He must see that the trees and shrubbery in the
parks of the city properly cared for and
kept in good condition.