Albuquerque evening citizen., 1906-10-02
Summer Has Been Devoted
to Many and Extensive Re-
pairs in Old Mansion.
HOW THE FAMILY WILL Be
DISPOSED OF ON reform
Washington AWdkes to Renewed
Life on Return of Presidential
and Other AbSenteeS.
BY Margaret Menet.

bptCldl Correspondence.
Washington, Sept. 2S.-The Roose-
velts return to the White House Oct
ober first.
OF course October is the month for
general homecoming of all who are
so fortunate as to be able to break
their usual environment during the
warm weather. But the Roosevelts'
homecoming is a different matter.
Different because the Roosevelts live
in a house not of their own choosing
or owning-their home is at Oyster
Bay-but one in which the public has
an interest, both sentimentally and
practically.
When the Roosevelts return the
white House will be opened. Perhaps
it will be opened just one day before,
IN order that all tourists who happen
to be in Washington at this particular
moment may walk through and see
the very pink of perfection of the or
der to which il has ben reduced. But
until that day, or the day before, the
mansion is closed to the public, al
though this Is not with an intention
on the part or the Chief Executive Of
the land to defraud the people of their
rights. The closing has been neces-
sary. on account of the repairs need
ed.
Closed for Repairs.
The White House is usually closed
for a few weeks during the summer.
This summer, however, it's doors have
been closed since the day following the
departure of the presidential family.
All summer long there has been the
noise of resounding hammer and the
p cry of workmen giving orders to each
other. All summer long, the faithful
policemen who patrol the front of the
building, have been compelled to say:
I'm sorry. but you can't go in; the
White, House is closed for repairs" on
an average of once every five minutes
daily. And the people are SO disap-
pointed.
This Is what is being done: A new
roof is being put on the east corridor.
The one that was put on this addition
to the White House in 1902 proved a
failure, in that it later developed
numerous leaks. 1t is being replaced
now by a bran-new, water-tignt patent
cement roof voucheed for by Chicago
company. A canvas awning has been
stretched over the roof of the corri-
dor to protect the wet cement, and un-
der this covering the colored work
men do their sweltering tasks, for
there are sunshiny days in Washing
ton. The same work of repairing is
being done on the west corridor that
connects the private end of the White
House with the executive Offices. 1t
is along this terrace, lined with Rus
sian bay trees grown in boxes, that the
President slips from the bosom of his
family and leaves the rollicking fun he
has been having with his children for
the graver matters tnat confront him
at the other end.
When the Roosevelts come home it
will be a new music that resounds
under their steps, as Juvenile and
grown-up feet strike the stones of the
north .portico. The old stone floor
that has done service here since Pres
tdent Jackson's time-the great slabs
of Virginia limestone, still well pre-
served In the center but rather
crumply around the edges-are piled
in heap against the white stone pill
lars of the porch. 1t is being re-
placed by new floor of whittier lime
stone from Illinois, upon which as yet
no hopes nor fears nor ambitions OF
human beings have been impressed by
nc SGnNldl pOliCclhou
who is on day service at the front
portico was amused at the question OF
one woman tourist, who wished TO
know how the old stones would be pre-
served.
Preserved" he said. They'll be
earted out into the street, / guess"
But they're historical" the woman
protested. Haven't they been here
ever since the White House was
built?"
''Since Jackson's time," replied the
functionary, who gives cheerfully the
information he Is expected to give.
You know that up 10 Jackson'S
time this was the back of the house
Don't you? Well, it was. If you will
look up there you will notice that the
corner decorations all point the othel
way. The portico was put on to make
this look like the front, and the yarC
was filled in. This is all made grounC
around here. That stone? On, there
is lots more o. that around here. Why
that is the stone the house Is bull
or. Yes, it's the same, only the house
is painted white and that makes i
look different The house was burned
in 1914 and after the remodeling theI
it was painted white"
About the Family.
When the Roosevelts return, tn,
policemen will have more arduoui
duties than answering the questions
OF women tourists, for the Roosevelt
boys look upon the attending guards
as comrades TO share their fun and a.
The objects Of occasional well-directet
JOKES Both lheodOr- and Kermi
Rave had western trips, and will b,
f-l 0I the exploits of their outing
Ant these boys VIII not remain Ions
fl Washington, even II hey make ul
lart of t' e Homecoming group. To-
10th go elsewhere 10 school. TheOdOr,
to Harvard and Kermit TO Groton
.as, The DO, from which his olde
ler has just emerged. The tw,
er boys win come back TO MAKE
~ the youths of Washington, who
they are men grown, may giyl
selves the pleasure of remarkinl
f-ai -hey we've educated with Pres
ent ROosaFe.ls sons. Archie goc
..r..U ia fH.a nuI|fr aahnrIa and nusrr