The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-03-19
WASHINGTON LETTER
[special Correspondence.l

Especial Correspondence
President Roosevelt's order of less
than year ago regarding printing in
the executive service is nothing more
than the dnjunction ''be careful" yet
it has already caused marked reforms
in government publication work. A
remarkable instance is found In the
annual reports of the various bureaus
of the department of commerce and
labor, which were cut from 2,307 pages
In 1904 to 1916 in 1906, saving of
961 pages. or over 40 per cent; this,
too, without any loss in effectiveness,
indeed rather to the benefit of the pub
LEGATIONS. In the same period lat illus
trations were cut out of the reports.
1t would be mistake to infer that the
bureau reports prior to 1906 were care
lessly compiled. They merely were
not uniform in contents and were not
edited with the idea that they must
undergo the scrutiny of central ed
itorial force free from bureau infiu-
ences such as is now maintained in the
office of the secretary.
Scott Key Mansion.
Decisive steps have been taken to
save the home of Francis Scott Key in
GEORGETOWN and preserve it as Il mon
ument to the author of the "Star Span
gled Banner" A number of promi-
nent men met recently at the Universe
ty club and started the ball rolling by
electing officers of the Francis Scott
Key Memorial association, adopting
bylaws and outlining campaign to
raise the necessary funds. The old
Key mansion, which is on M street
near the Aqueduct bridge, is at pres
ent owned by former District Attorney
Hugh Taggart, and it was stated that
the property can be purchased for So
900. 1t was also stated that the fund
to buy the home and renovate it and
maintain it need not be more than $780,,
900.
The Marine Band.
Americans abroad will be again dis
appointed by the failure of the Marine
band, under the leadership of Lieuten-
ant Santelmann, to make tour this
year of Europe, taking in the London
season.
Lieutenant Santelmann will take the
band for trip through the New Eng
land states this spring. Lieutenant
Santelmann expects to be gone about
five weeks in ALL On the way back
the band will stop in New York, Civ
ing a concert or two at the Hippo
drome.
The usual custom of giving concerts
lot, the capitol grounds and at the ma
Wy yard will be followed after the
band returns to Washington.
Lieutenant Santelmann has re-enlist-
ed for four more years as leader of the
Marine band He has occupied that
position for the past eight years and
has been connected with the band for
more than sixteen years.
Historic Candelabra.
The White House collection of presi-
dental ware has received two more
valuable additions. A month ago Miss
Mary Wilcox of this city as a memo
rial to her mother, the late Mrs. Emily
Donelson Wilcox, who was the first
child born in the White House, placed
in the White House cabinets six pieces
of china and glass formerly owned by
President Jackson and used by him
during his administration. She has
now added to these one of the historic
candelabras presented to General Jack
son by Tammany Hall of New York
city upon the occasion of his famous
visit to that organization. On one side
of the pedestal of the candelabra is
engraved his name, Andrew Jackson;
upon the other are the words "Our
Federal Union 1t Must Be Preserved"
The candelabra is very handsome
piece of silver and one of the most in
teresting souvenirs of the collection.
President Folks Glassware.
Through Miss Wilcox, Mrs. Abby G.
Baker, who has charge of the White
House collection, learned that Mrs
George w. Fall of Nashville, Tenn,
niece of Mrs. James *. Polk, had in
her possession some of the china and
glass owned and used by President
Polk during his administra ton. Cor
was entered into with
Mrs. Fall, and the result is her geneI-
gus gift to the White House cabinets.
Tt consists of an old fashioned dia-
nond shaped, white and gold, lattice
fruit bowl upon high pedes-
al, colonial tea plate and cup and
saucer of Dresden ware, decorated
similarly TO the fruit bowl, with gayiy
.olored birds in square medallions, and
n the center of the plate is bunch Of
yiolet morning glories. There are also
/ colonial goblet of deep blue Bohe
MAN glass, cut glass wineglass and
| finger bowl containing quaint old
ime mouthpiece. The pieces have been
placed in the first cabinet on the north
,ide of the ground floor corridor of the
White House and add inestimably to
he historic interest as we'll as to the
beauty of the collection.
Palaces to Rise In Washington.
Added life, it is expected, will be-
given to the round of entertainments
n Washington when four new palaces,
The plans for which have been under
for several months past,
are realized in the capital in marble
and stone The imperial architect from
Berlin is on his way to this country to
oversee the construction of the new
home for the German ambassador,
which is to be built on the western
hills and, though on smaller scale,
will be a fairly accurate reproduction