New-York tribune., 1904-10-30
PRESIDENTS PORTRAITS.
Where They Are Hung in the
White House.
trRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l


that many people cannot come to Washing
ton and see the White House for themselves
to circulate In the remote parts OF
the country statements which are utterly with
out foundation. For instance, MI Bailey de-
clares that President Roosevelt has removed all
the portraits Of his predecessors to the base
1nent of the White House, has filled the main
floor parlors and corridors with skins, firearms
and armor and trophies Of the chase, and has
otherwise destroyed the entire historical charac-
ter and appearance Of the White House. That
such is not the case must be evident from the
fact that twenty portraits Of former Presidents
hang on the walls OF the Red Room, the Green
Room, the main and upper corridors. etc Not
skin is to be seen on the floors OF the white
House, nor is there piece Of armor In evidence
The only firearms In the White House are two
rifles belonging to the President, which are In his
private study. The only trophies of the chase
are the fine heads which hang on the panelled
walls of the state dining room and which are
beautiful specimens of the fauna of this coun-
try.
why this looks like folks living here!
remarked visitor to Washington the other day
seeing the Red and Green rooms OF the
White House. No studied effort could more
:ccurately describe the homelike atmosphere OF
the White House since Mrs. Roosevelt became
its mistress than the homely expression Of the
chance visitor.
The Red and Green rooms look as though they
we're occupied as though they part of a
Eo:re and not merely state chambers for formal
receptions and entertainments. The Red Room
is the most inviting OF the White House par
lors. An attractive arrangement OF the furni-
ture gives somewhat the effect of an ingenook
before the handsome fireplace. The red walls
and furnishings are bright and warm. and the
occasional table tabourette gives the effect
of a room that Is not only occupied, but, when
occupied, is homelike. book here and there,
few knick knacks, even, tell the tale Of its last
occupant and suggest something Of the per-
sonalty OF the White House family. On the
walls Of this room hang the portraits OF George
and Martha Washington. old fashioned and
suggesting the possibility OF their being an
cestors Of the present occupants. In this room,
too are the portraits Of Presidents Madison.
Monroe and John Adams. Of Thomas Jefferson.
U. s. Grant and old zach Taylor.
Slightly less homelike in its appearance, al
though still suggesting the idea of occupancy
and comfort, is the Green Room. its color
scheme Is slightly chilly In fall and winter,
although 1t offers a cool and restful retreat
In the long hot season. little cabinet with
various dainty trifles makes manifest the femi-
nine proprietorship, and on the table are few
books, not stiffly arranged If for show, but
with their somewhat worn binding inviting
the loiterer to open them and giving promise
of interesting hour. Only the severe aspect
of some former Presidents they gaze down
from the Green Room walls tends to prevent
the visitor from sinking into the inviting sofa
pillows and picking up book. 1t is in this
that one of the best executed portraits in
the White House hangs. 1t is that Of James
Buchanan, we'll placed with excellent light
the refined but not strong face.
Here also are hung the portraits of Andrew
Jackson, OF Martin Van Buren, Franklin Pierce
Andrew Johnson, John Quincy Adams, Ruther-
ford B. Hayes and larger than all Others the
giant figure and fine likeness Of Abraham Lin
coin. whose full length is depicted, with the
dome Of the Capitol in the distance.
The removal of the great incongruous screen
from the front corridor has restored to the
White House OF its stateliest apartments.
This screen, ornate In itself but entirely out of
harmony with its surroundings, was erected In
President Arthur's administration and was
made necessary because of the increased use of
portion Of the White House public office;
but its presence destroyed one Of the finest
effects of the original designer and converted
the stately corridor into mediocre hall. Now
II has all been removed and the great corridor
restored
At end of this corridor is the East Room,
closed on ordinary occasions, giving a cold
reception to the small groups Of visitors who
daily inspect its great proportions, it's white
and gold decorations beautiful buf chilling