Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-14

velts. In addition to the activities over
which Mrs. Roosevelt as hostess has chiefly
had direction President Roosevelt early In
his first administration began to give
luncheons at which the guests were ex-
clusively men.
In the invitation lists to these luncheons
the presidents thirst for information upon
any and all subjects were reflected. Any
body who was respectable and who had
done anything worth while was eligible for
invitation to one of these luncheons-the
author of the latest popular book, a great
musician who happened to be In town,
celebrated travellers, biologists, statesmen
from foreign contries, poets, orchestra lead
ers, muckrakers, field marshals of finance,
mining superintendent, bridge builders.
railroad builders, anybody who had mixed
up in big or interesting affairs Of whatever
kind.
Mr.. Roosevelt had made many new prece-
dents during his term of office and some
of them were social presidents, For ex-
ample. In past years the president Of the
United States had not been supposed to be
entertained except at the houses of the
members OF his cabinet. But Mr., Roosevelt
went as a guest wherever he pleased and
without the slightest hesitation. Only last
January he was a guest at the house of
Mrs. Tuckerman. a Washington society
woman with no claim OF official standing
Of any kind.
There's a tradition that the president of
the United States shall not set foot on
foreign soil while he is In office. Foreign
embassies and legations are officially for
eign soil, so when Mr.. Roosevelt used to go
to call on the German Ambassador, Baron
Speck Won Sternbefg, as he frequently did,
or on NJ. Jusserand, the French Ambass-
ador, there always used 10 be a lot Of peo-
pie who didn't like IT, Mr.. Roosevelt heard
the talk OF course, but he evidently con-
sidered the precedents that he violated as
having no basis in good sense.
Quick to Make COmDarisOns.
Washington is interested in all the things
that go to make up the personality of the
president Of the United States. and the
moment President Taft entered the White
House it began to compare him with the
late president and to speculate upon his
future. Though the tennis court is COINS
back to the weeds what is the loss OF
tennis will be the gain OF golf.
The world knows Mr., Taft for a golfing
crank. The new president is a member OF
the Chevy Chase club, and there the new
president will probably do most OF his golf
ing. He will travel mostly In motor cars,
so that he can get 10 his golf without loss
Of time, as a good car will comfortably
make the distance in twenty minutes from
the White House.
Secretary Knox. the new head Of the
State department. IS also an enthusiastic
golfer, and II is a certsinty that the presi-
sent and the head OF his cabinet will spend
many hours together swatting the quinino
pill. General Clarence Edwards. chief OF
the bureau OF insular affairs, and Score,
tary Ballinger OF the Interior department
are also golfers. and will no doubt &C.
casionally play out a foursome.
There is one feature of Washington life
tFat will sorely miss President Roosevelt
who was exceedingly fond OF the theater
Mrs, Roosevelt and the other members OF
the presidential family shared his fondness
for the drama. and scarcely a week wen
by but either the president or Mrs. Roose-
welt, usually both, were to be seen In a
box at some che of the Washington play
houses. President Taft has never shown
any fondness for the theater. nor have any
OF the members OF his family. so that Il
looks as II the Washington theaters would
hereafter have 70 depend for their drawing