The Washington times., 1904-11-27
PRESIDENT NEEDS
A CHAMBERLAIN
This View Held by Many in
Official Life.
PRESENTING FOREIGNERS
Reception at White House Often Lacks
CordiaIity Because Language Is
Not Understood.

A chamberlain" to the President is
the new office which some persons are
proposing, who have nothing better to
do than offer suggestions for running
the Government
1t Is pointed out that the real need
Tor this office exists IN the frequent
visits OF titled foreigners to this country
and their reception at the White House.
especially noticeable in number Of late.
AT present no officer under the Govern
ment has either the time or authority
without special designation to look after
the many details connected with the
presentation of royal visitor at the
White House, and his entertainment
while I'm the city.
Not only does this apply 10 royal Wis
itors' but to delegations of distinguished
people.
Many Last Season.
Scarcely a week passed during the
past winter that the commissioner Of
some foreign country was not received
at the White House with the honors be-
fitting his rank
Often, as a matter of courtesy, K was
necessary for a representative of the
President 10 look after the guest and
show him the sights for several days,
as in the case OF Prince Pu Lun.
On the recent visit OF Prince Fushimi,
of Japan, it was noticeable that the
President invited the assistance of Col
Thomas W. Symons. who Is not now at
tached TO the White House stan, hav-
ing resigned some time ago as Super
intendent of Public Buildings and
Grounds.
Colonel Bromwel. the present in
eumbent of this Office. and General Gill
lespie. Chief Of Engineers, also acted
as official hosts" on this occasion
Visit of the Archbishop.
When the Archbishop Of Canterbury
visited here some surprise was eX-
pressed that an official Of tile War De-
partment, General Gillespie. should
have been selected to escort "A clergy
man about the city and show him the
sigh Is. But here again the advocates
OF tie chamberlain" idea point out is
shown the need Of a regularly appoint
ed official TO play mine host" part
whenever the President and the United
States have "a distinguished envoy or
famous foreigner to entertain.
The claim is made that this official
should be appointed from civil life
though all equal number favor a mili-
tary man getting the jOb-and that ne
should by all means be man versed
in foreign languages.
Receptions Are Marred.
More than once. the impressive dignity
Of a presentation at the White House
Is known 10 have been marred by the
utter inability of the men representing
the President 10 understand what their
guest was saying. Colonel Symons, the
former master of ceremonies at the
White House, is credited with having
some familiarity with the Chinese Ian
guage, and this is said 20 have stood
him In good stead when Prince Pu Lun
was here. but Colonel Symons Is our Of
the White House service, and besides
Chinese IS probably the least valuable
Of the languages which might be expect
ed 10 be Of service IN future presenta-
lions.
Rot in Seeretary's Range.
There is no question that the duties
OF the position are totally out of the
range OF Secretary Loeb who is one 0f
the hardest worked men IN the Govern
ment, and who himself mas utue
time 10 give to official correspondence SO
rushed is he receiving visitors al the
Executive offices in the day. and ar
ranging for the time and place Of their
presentation.
&. The tremendous growth OF this couu-
try and its multiplicity of interests {. ls
claimed. has made the creation of =
new Office 10 aid in the transaction OF
Executive business 10y slieviag the
actual workers Of its ceremonious fea-
lures necessity.
WOMAN GOES TO WOODS