The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-04-16
WITH TAFT At HELM
THINGS ARE SOMEWHAT DIFFER
ENT AT WHITE HOUSE.
Now the Official Conferences Are Held
at the Executive Headquarters and
Not at the Mansion, Presided Over
By the First Lady of the Land |;
Little More Privacy in the Presi-
dents Home.

entirely different atmosphere about the
White House and the executive Offices
where the president of the United
States attends to his business duties
since William Howard Taft has taken
hold of that great Office. There are
some visible outward signs of the
changes which every one notices and
which are apparent to even the casual
observer.
To begin with, there used to be a
stalwart policeman at each side of the
glass entrance door to the main White
House. 1t is true that neither of these
limbs of the law carried batons, nor
did they wear helmets, but their blue
clothes and brass buttons marked them,
none the less as members of the met
rorolitan police force of the city of
Washington.
Mrs. Taft figured out that the
White House itself is distinctively the
residence of the president of the United
States Although it was his official
residence. yet Mrs. Taft concluded that
whatever of domesticity and home life
were to be possible, during their four
Years occupancy of the White House.
would have to be in the building it
self
She early dccreed that strictly Of
fetal business and important conferen-
ces should be held in the executive
offices and not in the executive mansion.
Mr.. Taft good naturally acquiesced
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lady of the land, just as he does in
most of her other conclusions. 1t is
because of this that little or nothing
has been heard of the luncheons and
functions at the White House All of
these. thus far. have been of purely
social nature, and, while attended by
men prominent i'm official life and local
resident society, there has been 10 eff
fort TO combine any of them with con-
sideration of public affairs.
Buffers Displace Policemen
1t is because of this that the two
blue-coated policemen and the uni
formed head usher who were formerly
conspicuous at the main entrance to
the White House have given way to
two colored buffers or hOrsemen. These
men wear a livery of dark blue with
large fiat silver buttons, two button
waistcoats of green striped design and
the most emaculate of white lawn ties.
Instead of policeman, appearing to
receive The cards of callers, or to take
any message that may be left for any
member of the Taft family, one of
these hard hucd men servants, with
their claw hammered coattails, appears
with a little silver salver at the en-
trance. .six
In the old days of the Roosevelt ad
mnistration, it was not uncommon
for clouds of tourists to invade the
White House porte cocherc. to deliber
ately walk up the broad steps and
tlatten their noses against the window
pancs. There they would continue to
gaze into the private parlors of the
if not more, tourists since the Taft
administration began, but none of them
is permitted to invade the privary of
any portion of the White House except
the east room, which has always been
open to visitors at certain specified
hours during the day. This makes it
possible for guests to come and go
through the blue and green rooms, and
the state dining room, and the break
fast room. with perfect freedom and
without the embarrassment of being
the center of the eyes of scores of
tourists.
Autos Surplant Carriages.
When members of the Roosevelt fam
lily used to 20 out to drive there was
always rattle of nickled chains
against the pole. a jingle of silver
trimmed harness and the beautiful and
high stepping horses, which President
Roosevelt always maintained, would
Mrs. Roosevelt used to like to use u
big comfortable, old fashion carriage
which was part of the public equip
ment of the White House stables.
Mrs. Longworth, when she was Miss
Alice Roosevelt, would usually go out
in a perfectly appointed bougham
with single horse, but coacnman
and footman up. The president himself
when he went alone, or with friend
OF with Mrs. Roosevelt, always used
an open surrey with cane-w woven
body.
Now, in the Taft administration
they make use of three automobiles,
which were purchased with the appro-
priation of $4,000 made by congress
at its last session. These automobiles
are painted black or with dark blue
bodies. and the only touch of color
relieving them is the national coat of
arms occupying the space not larger
perhaps than two silver dollars on the
doors.
The favorite machine hus far, both
for President Taft and Mrs Taft, is a
big sixty horse power six-cyliiider, with
limousine body. The upholstery in
it is dark blue, and there are the
usual brassbound equipments, includ-
ing Il clock. speedmeter and signal but
tons for the chauffeur.
Economical of Time.
Mr.. Taft gives little thought to mis-
means of locomotion. During his ex
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