The Washington times., 1904-11-20
Glimpse Into the Kitchens at the White
House in Which Annie O'Rourke Is
the Presiding Genius and
''JooWel
a ''JOOWel.

IGHT thankfully will President
Roosevelt eat his Thanksgiving
turkey this year
Quiet affairs, though merry.
have been the Thanksgiving dinners OF
the Presidents OF the United States, and
those Of the Roosevelt family have
proved no exception to the rule;
they claim the right Of all Amer
lean citizens. TO gather about the
board on that day the members Of
their families and intimate friends for
what Is known as a GOOD old-fashioned
Thanksgiving dinner. Such has been the
custom of President Roosevelt the last
three years and he Will probably stick
20 il for the rest Of his Presidential ca
reer.
On these occasions the private dining
room in the White House is used. The
state dining room, where the President
entertains at dinner eighty or a hundred
guests at one time, is too large and for
NAL for a family party. The private din
ing room, which by the way is nearly
twice as large as any other private din
ing room in Washington, is located In the
northwest corner Of the Executive Man
sion. II is a charming room and in spite
. u It's size l4eAE a lADAAAEAAkAE anu LbAE d4A
There is a tradition that President
Hayes departed from the usual custom
and on every Thanksgiving Day enter
tanned all OF the employees about the
White House al dinner. The secretaries
clerks, telegraph operators and other
men who helped 20 handle the daily
work of the Chief Executive OF the
United States were hidden 10 these din
a 81
Joyed. IT has been the custom of many
or the Presidents 10 provide all OF the
married men employed about the White
House with Thanksgiving turkeys. but
this plan has been neglected by Presi-
dent Roosevelt
The great majority Of the citizens OF
the United States must buy their
Thanksgiving Day turkeys. but this has
never been the case with the Presidents.
From far and near the finest turkeys In
the land are sent 20 the man who an
nualiy writes the proclamation appoint
ing a day of thanks. For a number OF
years, indeed. ever since Grants time
Henry Yoss. the turkey king OF Rhode
Island. has furnished the bird selected
for the Presidents table. and he vii
probably do the same this year.
Although IL has not been decided who
,gill sit down 20 the table on Thanks
giving Day with President Roosevelt. l
Is sald that he viii gather a few OF hi.
congenial friends about him on this oc
casioU as he has done IN former years
Last year the party an dinner was small
but later IN the evening more friends Of
the family came 10 the White House ans
AN imprOmptu dance was arranged. IL
hich the President took part with al
his natural vim.
Where the Turkey Is Cooked.
And where is the great American blr,
prepared FOR this joyful occasion?
Where else but the v hite Hous
kitchen. 20 be sure. Mrs. Roosevelt ma
proved herself "a model housewife, an,
her kitchens, both the large. where Ia
state dinners are cooked, and the small
which Is used FOR the family meals. ar
spick and span They have recently re
ceived a thorough overhauling in prep
aratiOn for the coming season. and ar
now IN capital shape 10 stand the strait
OF constant entertainments. And the
need be- for al no other house in Ia
country Is there so much entertainin
as at the White House. where. unde
the present regime. hardly "a mea
masses that there are not some friend
20 sit down for a bite with the hos
pitable President. And even these 70
called family dinners are course al
fairs, with menus that would stagge
the average housekeepers.
But the White House kitchens ar
capable Of meeting all the demands pu
upon them These demands cover
wide range. and include the preparation
of food which snail tickle alike the pal
ates OF the willy Chinese and epicurea
Frenchman. The way 10 a mans heart
even a dIplomatists. Is through hi