Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-10
TAFT HOME TONIGHT
Presidents Long Journey Ends
at 1886 O'Clock.
CABINET TO MEET HIM
Chamber of Commerce Committee
Also Will Be at Station.
WILL FIND OFFICES READY
Everything in Shipshape for Busi-
ness in Enlarged Quarters-Mrs.
Taft at White House.

The White House had no advtces today
indicating that President Taft has decided
to stay in Richmond today later than he
had planned and that he would not ar
rive here at s:35 o'clock tonight. Secre-
tary Carpenters dispatches from the par
ty were to the effect that the President
would reach Washington on schedule
time this evening and that he would be
glad to get back home
Secretary Carpenter will go to the depot
with members of the cabinet to receive
and greet the President. who will also
find a committee from the Chamber of
Commerce. representing the cordial greet
ings Of Washington people generally. This
committee and the cabinet will receive
the President i'm the waiting room of the
Union depot that has been set aside for
the President of the United States This
waiting room is i'm the southeast corner
of the building.
Mrs. Taft Waiting.
Immediately following the greetings of
those present Mr.. Taft will be driven to
the White Housse, where Mrs. Taft will
be eagerly waiting for him. His absence
from Mrs. Taft has been the one unsatis-
factory feature Of the trip
When the President goes into his new
ONCE tomorrow morning he will find
everything arranged as IL is believed he
Will desire. The room is plainly but ele-
gantly furnished. 1t is in the center of
the rear portion of the addition just COM
pleted to the executive Offices. 1t over
looks the south grounds of the White
House. On the east side of this room is
the cabinet room. On the west side is
the room of Secretary Carpenter The
old cabinet room has been turned into a
waiting room for congressman and other
special callers, while the old room of the
secretary to the President is now a watt
ing room for visitors without appoint
ments
More Room and More Privacy.
The addition to the executive, offices in
Of value In giving the executive force
more room than in the past and at the
same time adding greatly to the privacy
of the President and his officials. Be
fore the addition was completed the lobby
of the executive Offices was also the
waiting room for many visitors. Under
the old arrangement the cabinet room
and the Presidents private Office were
practically one room. there being sliding
door between. The new cabinet room.
while to the east Of the Presidents pri-
vate office, does not adjoin the latter,
there being a small office between, arr
ranged for retiring or for conference pur-
poses for the President
Under the old arrangement, too, all
mails. express and other shipments were
taken in and brought out the one en-
trance to the executive offices. Tie new
addition provides that all this shall go
through the basement, from Executive
avenue. across the street from the State.
War and Navy departments. A door at
this basement is guarded by a policeman.
In this respect, as I'm many others. the
work and business of the White House
will be more private than at any time
in years.
The floor of President Taft's room is
laid i'm Philippine woods of various kinds
and is covered with a heavy. soft car
pet. The Presidents desk is i'm the cen
ter OF the room and he will sit with his
hack to the south. facing the doors by
which visitors Will enter. The desk is
the same he has used up to this time
and is the same that was used by Presi-
dent Roosevelt
The New Tennis Court.
The famous Roosevelt tennis court had
to be destroyed to make room for the
addition to the executive Offices but a
new court is now being rushed to COM
pletion. 1t is located i'm the grounds
south of the White House and just west
of the fountain. The work is being done
By large force of men under direction
of Col. Cosby, superintendent of public
buildings and grounds. President Taft
cares Utlle lot tennis, DelnS a SOl1 player.
The new tennis court is for Mrs. Taft
and her friends. Mrs. Taft's physician
has advised that she take up this form
of outdoor exercise for the betterment OF
her health. which has been improving
since her attack i'm the spring, but which
is not as good as she desires.
The court is in sight of the ellipse rum
ming south of the White House grounds.
but is within the iron fence inclosure Of
the grounds. Pipes will drain the court
underground and il will be raised above
the level so that il will always he dry,
except In bad weather.
Not Going to Panama.
Mr.. Taft has given up all idea of visit
ing the Isthmus Of Panama this winter.
and will make no more long trips of any
sort until next summer. when he hopes TO
visit Alaska. He will spend the Christmas
holidays in the White House. with his
family gathered around him.
The President is especially glad in get
ting home to know that Mrs. Taft is SO
much better. During his fifty-six days on
the road President Taft has not let the
setting of a sun go by without sending
Mrs Taft a telegram. He has literally
interspersed the daily messages by wire
with long letters detailing the most mi
mute happenings OF his eventful trip, and
in this way has actually written COM
Dlete history of his journeyfngs.