The San Francisco call., 1908-03-22

WASHINGTON. March 2l-M Mrs
Theodore Roosevelt. wife Of the presi-
dent Of the United States, is one
woman in official life who would be
justified IN hailiug the advent OF Lent
with more than ordinary satisfaction
Although little is heard about the &C
rivities OF the mistress OF the White
House. the fact remains that MIS-
Roosevelt is one of the busiest women
IN Official circles. Exempt from the
necessity Of making the official calls,
that bugaboo OF the wives Of men IN
public life. many envy Mrs. Roosevelt
her leisure. her privilege of naming
her dates and her ability 10 make ner
own plans However. survey OF the
situation confronting the wife OF the
president as viewed BY one CONVEX
SAINT with the daily lie at the White
House. shows some unexpected Things
about Mrs Roosevelts spare time
To be sure. the wife OF the president
might be as idle as her fancy die
iated. but in common with the other
members Of the family she has a fund
II energy which she has common sense
cnough TO put 10 practical service ana
s feeling OF responsibility which i'm
pels her 70 take many things upon
herself that some might leave 10 the
care OF the retainers-
DOES MOI BIA1
she does not play bridge. but she
does play the piano and does X re-
snarkably well, owing 70 persistent
and constant practice kept up even In
lie midst OF many distractions Mrs.
Roosevelt's knowledge OF music goes
beyond that OF the average per
former. ard her interest IN all
branches OF The art evidences her real
devotion 10 the cause OF music So
well I'D Is she in musical composition
that she IS able 70 build d program
and musicians engaged 10 entertain
Mrs RooseyelCs guests almost m
variably receive suggestions as TO the
program 10 be presented At any rate
the program always goes 10 Mrs
Roosevelt before il is printed
Nor does she confine her interests
10 music alone Mrs Roosevelt is an
ardent and intelligent lover OF pic
lures and few exhibitions OF any mo-
nent leave Washington without Mrs
Roosevelt having devoted some time
20 Z study of the canvases.
The president shares this interest
with his wife. and that Miss Ethel is
going in for music and art is amply
demonstrated by her constant attend
ance al concerts and art exhibitions.
Mrs Roosevelt takes the greatest sat
isfaction IN the companionship OF her
attractive Young daughter, and their
camaraderie bespeaks plainly SINH
larity Of tastes and predictions.
MANAGES OWN HOUSE
Although Mrs. Leftwich. the White
House house keeper. Is a veritahle
pillar and support by day and night
70 her mistress, the fact remains that
much OF the daily routine OF the house
comes under Mrs. Roosevelt's per-
sonal attention The purely official
phase Of social life ct the White House
Mrs Roosevelt is content 10 leave IN
the hands OF her secretary. but not so
The thousand little considerations
which go TO give character 10 home
and incidentally 10 promote family
happiness.
such details as the arrangement OF
flowers and the working out of menus
pass under her direct supervision.
Meantime Mrs. Roosevelt does a bit Of
amateur gardening and has leisure 10
take an active interest in the progress
OF Horticulture as carried on in The
White House conservatories-
With the current books Of worth
from the standpoint OF literature or
amusement she is thoroughly familiar.
while her range OF reading takes IN
the ever varying output Of the maya
zines.
An adept with the needle. some of
the daintiest bits OF handiwork come
from her industrious fingers. Few in
fanr arrivals in the households of her
friends lack some tangible evidence OF
her forethought and skill, the latest
completed output from Mrs. Roose-
velts work basket being a beautifully
made -slumber coat Of soft blue silk
comfortably wadded and finished with
fancy stitching which found its way
as christening gift 10 Philander
Chase Knox III. the infant grandson
OF Senator Knox of Pennsylvania
When Miss Ethel was a pupil al one
OF the local schools many Of her at
tractixely made blouses which were
the envy of her schoolgirl friends rep
resented the skin and devotion of the
presidents wife
sUPERVIsEs EVERYTHING
The Roosevelts have established q
new record for entertaining. the total
OF their hospitalities. formal and in
formal, mounting up TO prodigious
numbers during the course Of a season.
IN the arrangement Of all affairs such
IS state dinners, teas and musicaies
Mrs. Roosevelt takes a large share
personally. The table in the state
dining room is never laid for any feast
before Airs. Roosevelt gives minute di-
rectlOnS as 10 uorat ScneIne and OI1er
decorative essentials, and regularly
throughout the winter. TO matter how
frequent the dinners, Mrs. Roosevelt
makes 4 visit 20 the dining room tc
see the completed work before she ap-
pears 70 greet her guests.
Punctuality is a byword at ths
White House and as the s o'clock din
ing hour approaches an almost fren-
zied haste marks the lahoTx Of the mer
who are giving the finishing touches
70 the table Always. as the quartel
hour strikes. the elevator running
from the main corridor 10 the presi-
Dental apartments on the second floor
descends and a second later Mrs
Roosevelt. in dinner attire, makes the
tour OF the table The slightest dis
array or discrepancy catches her eye al
once and the men who make IL q pro-
fession 10 arrange dinner tables will
ingly agree that her terse criticisms
and suggestions are often of more thar
passing value 10 them in their work
Mrs. Roosevelt does her shopping In
person. attends 10 the details OF her
wardrobe and supervises the school
work OF the younger children
Devoted 10 outdoor recreation. al
most every morning dnds her OF for