Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-07

u Jul 4eOO9ONCAh A1S AN
kSAk- ord In the domestic and social
|dEK30t side of the White House hardly
&H$b less impressive than the admin
i~strative policies of her distinguished hus-
band. The notable features of Mrs. Roose-
velt's career as the first lady of the land
is traced In detail by Margaret B. Down
ing in the St Louis Globe-Democrat She
has presided over the historic mansion for
a longer period than any since Mrs. Grant,
exceeding Mrs. Cleveland's seven years by
six months. The writer says, in part:
Official society In Washington has lost Its
last touch OF provincialism since Mrs.
Roosevelt assumed the leadership. The
levees at the White House remain simple
and unpretentious from the old world
standard, but they nave acquired a dignity
and elegance not at all incompatible with
democratic principles. a the mansion
where the president resides stands apart
from the presidential office aRd has ac-
uuired the stately residential air winch be-
comes the home OF the chief executive Is
entirely due to Mrs. Roosevelt's initiative.
Ten years ago White House amenities
were the most dreaded features OF the
washington season, mainly because the
mansion wal so poorly arranged that
neither dinner nor reception was possible
under pleasant conditions. Now the com
monplace Is entirely eliminated and invi-
tations are eagerly sought rather than
avoided. Mira. Roosevelt is first OF all the
home-loving women and all her exertions
in the White House have been aimed at
evolving = home out OF the msager material
presented. Now the drawing rooms. state
lining room and guests chambers are all
that could be desired. but the most at
tractivo portion OF the mansion n the do
nnestio atmosphere which pervades. The
kitchens are planned after the most adj
vanced sanitary methods and with the
latest improvements. and for the first time
tn half q century all the presidential ban
Quets are prepared by the presidential chef
and served piping hot Under the old dis
pensation the food for banquets was
brought to the White House by caterers
and warmed over for the guests. 1t was
Mrs. Bryce. wife OF the British ambassa-
dor. who said that the White House was
the most spotless home which she had en-
tered in Washington. and she expressed
wonder that a mansion where hundreds OF
visitors entered daily was as clean and or
Derby as the show room OF "A palace. Mrs.
Roosevelt makes a daily inspection Of the
mansion and her keen eye notes the small
est infraction OF her rules
When It comes to a social record, the
successors OF the Roosevelts will find that
. lively pace has been set Mrs. Roosevelt
IN seven years has entertained more ex-
tensively than ali the mistresses OF the
White House in the past twenty-five
years combined. Mrs. Cleveland adhered
TO the old rule and gave some public re-
eeptions on Saturday aftetnoons. and she
had her small companies through the
week and a few Inner parties But all
her amenities in seven years would not
equal what Mrs. Roosevelt has accom-
plished In one season. She has set prece-
dents which Mrs. Taft will find difficult
to depart from-for instance. that pleas
ant function given the first week after
the eonvening OF congress TO the diplo-
mAuo corps. Mrs. Roosevelt, recognising
the impossibllity OF getting on friendly
terms with the wives OF the foreign en-
VoyH. conceived the idea OF giving them
an entire afternoon when the season wa
young. Newcomers are noted every au-
tumnln4hSe oEpa and thsz were thus en-