The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-05-15
MRS. RoosEvELT,s WoRk.
Her Social Policy Has Had a Decided
Effect IN Washington.

ltLsEIs 49,
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Her Social Policy Has Had a Decided
Effect in Washington.
Kansas City Star, With the close CO
her second season in the White House
It is commonly acknowledged that as a
social factor Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt
has r~eorganized Washington society.
1.-THE arrival Of Lent will ring down the
curtain upon a year which has been
marked by a reconstruction n awak-
ening of the social body in the nations
capital. The presidents wife has not
only set a stiff pace for others to fol-
low, but she has gradually done away
with threadbare traditions and intro
duced welcome innovations in their
place. With the aid of an efficient local
secretary, Mrs. Roosevelt started out
with a will to fill the duties devolving
upon her position. With all her enter
tanning, however, there has been a
marked simplicity, and the force Of her
,example in this matter has made its in
if1uence very generally felt. The weekly
'Frtday evening musicales which have
been a feature of the new ad%1ninistra-
ton ave had a pronounced effect on
musical Washington, and their marked
success has made them q pattern for
other social leaders. Blase Washing
,tonians and careworn men OF affairs
have come to look forward with pleas
ure to these quiet informal entertain
,,ments, where one can drop in after din
'ner with the assurance of a musical
treat. On these occasions the 200 to
400 especially invited guests who fill the
chairs of the east room always include
such persons as Secretary Hay. Senator
Hanna and members of the diplomatic
corps, as well as the growing musical
contingent in the capital city. Follow
ing the example Of the hostess all for
inality is dropped. Miss Alice Roose-
,,,y+ I,o to ua.,1y :, ofl1 20 q nd ,1no ffoaA E
ed, makes a good second to her mother.
and the president, himself, always
much in evidence at such times, finds.
occasion for a little personal chat with
| each Of his guests.
! Refreshments, like everything else,
are very simple, consisting merely Of
ices and punch. The musical programs
cover a wide range, from the classical
ito the latest popular hit. The artists
who give their services, however. have
been much pleased by the graceful fore
thought of Mrs. Roosevelt, who has
made portraits Of herself and the presi-
den to be autographed and appropri-
ately framed for them as souvenirs OF
these occasions. 4
The much needed renovation OF the
White louise mas obviated among 9TH:
er things the necessity of profuse floral
decorations which were formerly used
to hide the dingy, time-worn walls. One
sees now only an occasional touch Of
white and green In the East room. and
some roses or pink carnations against
the green background of the state din
ing room. The now brilliant coloringl
Of the blue n red rooms excludes
much floral establishment. n the
long hallway looks better without any
addition to it's fresh furnishings.
A large part of Mrs. Roosevelt's per-
sonal success is due to a natural fitness
and taste for society, but both the
president and. his wife have very plain
Iy shown their willingness to go
a long way for the sake of Civ
Ing pleasure to others, and have
been SC untiring in their efforts
spur Of their leadership has been felt
by Tina Mrs. Roosevelt has
been able to do his without in any way
neglecting her children or household
has been a matter of much comment.
Besides the management of. the house
she has a direct supervision over each
Of her children with whom she is a.
veritable companion. Only the other
day the first lady Of the land was seen
on a Washington thoroughfare chasing
after a truant pet dog in company with
her two youngest sons, Archie and
Quentin, who were hanging on their
mothers arms and pulling her along
as If she were one of their playfellows.
It is this common interest which makes
the White House famous for the good
QuIlOTeu understanding OF It's people,.
Like h other members of her fam
lily, Mrs. Roosevelt is a devotee of OUT
door exercise. Every morning She,
takes a walk at half past IL n again
In the afternoon from 3 to 4, and she
covers distances entirely out Of the
range Of the average society woman
Il prefer walking to driving" she
said to a: friend the other day. II like
to take some place about two miles
distant for my objective point, SO that
by the time I return I shall AVE had
o sufficiently long walk" Love of out-
door exercise is only one Of the rnany3
tastes Mrs. Roosevelt a in common
with the president, who seems to take
entire satisfaction in his wife's every
action. He is like a big boy with her,
and his delight cannot be concealed
from the most casual observer. mi
fact. everyone hnds in Mrs. Roosevelt
a viyacity unusually pleasing. In gen
eral appearance Mrs, Roosevelt is frail.
| Her clear complexion is very white, att
times looking almost like marble. She
Is not above Medium height and her
slenderness Is accentuated by herr
gowns, which are always cut on long,
easy lines.
In the matter OF dress, as in every-
thing else, the "-1rst LADY,. has very
decided ideas, which might be expected
Of a descendant Of that ~hard-headed3
old English controyersialist, Jonathan
Edwards, to whom, it is said, she traces
q direct ancestry.
"Why shesdoesn't even wear her hair
prettily!" exclaimed a woman of the
fashion plate type the other day, on
seeing the mistress Of the White House,
for the first time. Mrs. Roosevelt, how
ever. is the kind of woman who sees,
more beauty In smooth hair brushed
well off the forehead than in the most
up-to-date intricacies Of French hair
dressers. and she does not believe I'M
changing once she has found a style
to suit her.
Mrs. Roosevelt is very emphatic in
her dislike of being photographed. I'll
Is related of her that when she came
into the White House she had not lad,
q picture taken for years, and since
she has been there it has been a very
difficult matter to get her to sit for