New-York tribune., 1909-03-08
NR. TAFT AT CHURCH
LATER RIDES IL MILES.
MrS. Taft Making Minor Changes an
the White House Establishment.

Washington. March democratic simplicity
characterized the first Sunday in the Nhite
House Of the Taft family. President IaIr ac-
oompanied by his brother. Charles +. Iaft'
walked to the Unitarian Church for morning
services. The capacity Of the edfce was taxed
10 its utmost with regular attendants ana
strangers.
II syas e,re~ted that the President would ar
rive in his automobile, and his appearance
among the crowd Of several hundred persons on
the Sidewalk and street was surprise There
was no attempt al demonstration, but the eager
ness 10 get a close view Of the new President
was not veed.
After service the President accompanied his
brother on foot TO the latter's temporary home
ct Dupont Circle. where he remained for more
than an hour He returned to the White House
on foot, and after luncheon mounted Sterret his
newly acquired horse, purchased at Hot Springs,
Va and with General Clarence r. Edwards, his
military aid; Captain Archibald Butt, and Presi-
dent Rooseyelt's orderly, McDermott went for
q twelve mile ride over the newly constructed
Potomac speedway.
President Taft saw no callers who had busi-
2 ness TO transact during the day, thus beginning
his administration with his heretofore enforced
maxim that Sunday should be day of rest.
A quiet family dinner was served at the White
House during the evening, at which were pres
ent several members of the Taft family who are
stin in the city.
MRS TAFT ASSUMES HER DUTIES.
Mrs. Taft has assumed, without public cere-
rnony oath Of office duties which, in weight
of responsibilities. almost rival those taken up
by Her husband the President. President Taft
is charged under his oath with executing the
Office OF President" Mrs, Taft is charged. with
out OATH With administering the social and do
mystic affairs of the White House and making
il the official place Of entertainment &C the rep
resfntatives Of foreign nations and domestic
5dienitaries
Mrs. Taft's long residence in the capital has
famarized her with the requirements Of Wash
ington society AS an intimate Of Mrs Roose-
Welt she learned the details of White House
etiquette, and is already making the minor
changes in the administration Of the executive
mansion necessary TO meet her own ideas.
UNIFORMED POLICEMEN REMOVED.
The addition Of the executive Office building
permits Of an extra separation of the official
business of the President from the White House
proper and this is To be availed of to the full
est extent That the main entrance Of the
White House may present as nearly possible
the appearance of a private home the uniformed
police officers and frock-coated doorkeepers
have been replaced by negro footmen in livery.
For safety an officer is retained on duty in the
miniature Office room inside the main entrance
and another the second floor.
The rights Of the public recognized by
setting aside the hour from noon until 1 o'clock,
when admission is granted through the east en-
trance to the historic East Room and the par
g Iors Of the mansion.
Mrs Taft has abolished the post Of steward,
and viii conduct her domestic arrangements
through a woman llousekeeper- While the sea
son of prescribed official dinners is over, ii may
be predicted that the mistress of the White
House VIII conduct Il series of informal social
functions during the special session of Congress
Mrs. Taft is forty-six years old, although her
appearance and natural animation seem 10 deny
that fact. She possesses analytical mind,
is naturally domestic. devoted to her husband
and takes upon herself without comment or
hesitation the entire responsibility Of her posi-
ton To relieve the President from domestic
cares and social adjustments seems TO be the
platform Of her administration, and her first few
days Of duty indicate that she is fully compe-
tent for the task.