The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-04
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Washington, April 4.--With the close
Of her second season in the White House
it is commonly acknowledged that as a
social factor Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt has
succeeded in completely reOrgan1z1ng
Washington society. The arrival OF Lent
rang down the curtain upon year which
has been marked by reconstruction and
awakening Of the social body in the ma
tion's capital. The presidents wife has
not only set stiff pace for Others to
follow but she has gradually been doing
away with threadbare traditions and
introduced welcome innovations In their
place. With the aid Of an efficient social
secretary, Mrs. Roosevelt started out with
q will to fill the arduous duties deVolv-
ing upon her, position. with all her en-
tertaining however. there has been
marked simplicity, and the force OF her
example In this matter has made its In
fuence very generally felt. The weekly
Friday evening musicales Wh1ch nave
been a feature Of the new administration
have had a pronounced effect on musical
washington, and their marked success
has made them a pattern for other social
leaders. Blase Washingtonians and care
worn men of affairs have c0ane to look
forward with pleasure to these quiet, In
formal entertainments. where. one can
drop in after dinners with the assurance
Of a musical treat On these occasions
the two o~four hundred especially In
yited guests who fill the chairs OF the
east room always include such persons
ss Secretary Hay, Senator Hanna, and
prominent members OF the diplomatic
corps as we'll as the growing musical con-
tingenN in the capital city. Following the
example of the hostess all formal1ty Is
dropped Miss Alice, who Is very natural
and unaffected, makes a, good second n TO
her mother. and the president himself,
always much In evidence at such times,
nnds occasion for q little personal chat
with each Of his guests. The refresh-
ments, like everything else. are very
simple, consisting merely Of Ices and
punch The musical programs are most
varied. covering wide range, from the
classical to the latest popular hit. The
artists who give their services. however
have been much pleased by the graceful
forethought Of Mrs. Roosevelt, who hao
Miss Johnston make some exclusive por
traits of herself and the president to be
AUTOGRAPHED and appropriately framed
for them, as souvenirs of these occa'
sions.
The much needed renovation OF tn
White House has obviated, among othe
things. the necessity for profuse flora
decorations. which were formerly used t
hide the tfingy, tlme-worn walls. On
= sees now only an occasional touch OF whit
and green In the east room and som
roses or pink carnations against the greel
background Of the state din1ng-room
The now brilliant cOlor1ng OF the blue an
red rooms excludes much floral embellish
ment. and the long hallway looks bette
without any addition to it's fresh furnish
ings. -
The new arrangements for exits an
entrances are universally applauded as a.
admirable solution Of the management G
handling the huge crowds which atten
the five big yearly receptions. While tn
procession has a long way to go from tn
south entrance to the stairway and u
stairs around through the dining-roon1.
the undesirable crush, is almost entirel
avoided.
The compartments for wraps which no
honeycomb both sides of the passagewa
are great -conveniences and only anothe
evidence Of the executive ability OF tf
mistress Of the White House.
Without doubt a large part OF MI
Roosevelt's personal success Is due to
natural fitness and taste for society. b'
both the president and his wife have vel
plainly shown their willingness to go
long way for the sake Of giving pleasure
others and have been SO untiring In the
efforts to accomplish this desire that Il
spur of their leadership has been felt
every one. That Mrs. Roosevelt has be-
able to do this without in any way ne
lecting her children or household has be-
matter Of much comment. Besides t