The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-08-04
MRS. TAFT'S HAS
NEW SECRETARY

With the resignation Of Miss Alice
Blech of Ohio from the executive staff
at the White house the position of
private secretary TO Mrs Taft Will
pass TO another interesting young
woman, Miss Mary cambridge SpierS,
Virginian by birth. but accredited
TO North Carolina In the records of
the navy department. where for sew
eral years she has 6llsd a clerical
position.
When Miss Blech succeeded TO the
title, desk and salary enjoyed by Miss
Isabella HaGDer under the seven
years regime of Mira Roosevelt, the
position OF social secretary at The
White house lost much of the dstiuc
tton implied by the descriptive adjec-
tive. Mrs Taft frankly declared she
wished clerk, not companion. in
this particular office. and with that
object in view selected Miss Blech
from score or more OF applicants
at the outset of the administration,
Miss Bleoh at that time being a clerk
IN The Sureau of American republics.
recommended by the director there,
John Barrett
Mrs. Roosevelts secretary entered
completely into the daily life of the
executive household, arriving at her
desk at 10 a m and remaining until
evening. sharing the midday meal as
ono of the family, frequently return
ing to dine. and always appearing as
an aid to the hostess at any evening
function. from an informal musicale
to state reception 10 the diplomatic
corps The monotony Of a large cor
respondcnce and the same clerical
duties performed by Miss Blech were
varied In Miss Hagners case by fire.
quent shopping excursions for or with
Mrs. Roosevelt, attending a symphony
concert with the latter. trained ami
NAL show with the children, or chap,
eroning Miss Roosevelt to a ball
game
Like Any Other Clerk.
Mrs. Taft's secretary on the other
hand works along wcH defined lines
Business Ia business with Miss Blech.
who arrived at her desk at o'clock
just like any other government clerk
goes out 10 luncheon at noon and
leaves the White house at or so
That aforesaid desk Is located In
pleasant corner of the upstairs SIT
ting room Of the White house and ma
turally establishes its possessor In
close personal relation with not only
her employer, but the other members
Of the household, not excepting the
chief executive himself,
The great volume OF semi-personal
correspondence addressed to the pres.
ideut'S wife, such as requests for in
teryieWs. autographs. invitations by
the score. and the personal accounts
OF dressmakers. milliDerS, requests for
patronage. all come 10 the secretary.
as we'll as many personal notes and
messages requiring prompt and care
full attention.
The wife OF the president makes
no visits formally considered, but she
keeps a record OF those who call on
her.
While many persons leave cards at
the White house without what in any
other capital would be considered a
reasonable right or excuse to so dis
tlngush themselves, the majority of
Mrs Taft's would-be visitors are what
Henry White describes as persons Of
a certain class. aud their cards worthy
OF entry on the book which forms the
basis of many invited companies each
season,
Here is where knowledge is not on.
ly power but salvation. Where the
social secretary should know who is
who and be able to recognize by
name and sight the thoroughly accred.
tied members of polite society from
whatever clique or set they came and
also the pirates and parasites who
though comparatively few in number
are far-reaching In their detrimental
effect on any polite company. Miss
Hagner, having grown up In Washing
tons most exclusive society, was able
to save Mrs. Roosevelt from many an
noyances from this source as we'll as
10 diiTerentiate carefully In Issuing in
vitations TO the numerous entertain
ments OF more personal character
10 which the guests are asked regard
less OF the congressional directory
IL Is said Mrs TAFT trusts this del
cate task TO no one. and personally
selects the guests she wishes at each
tea. musicale or email dinner party
her secretary merely writing the note
Of invitation.
Mrs, Taft's knowledge.
Having had ten years as a Wash |
inSoon hostess TO her credit as we'll |
as a brilliant social reign In the COVER /
uor's palace at Manila, With scores OF |
close personal frionds In both Official !
and resident circles, Mrs. TAFT enter |
ed the White house With knowledge !
OF her obligations and her privileges |
10 a degree unknown 10 any OF her |
predecessors. With the possible eX-
ception of Mrs. Cleveland At the be |
ginning of her husbands second term. |
a responsibility Of the social seore-
tary is to keep the calendar free from. |
conflicting euea gements. which Is not '