The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-04-15
{ BY II. r. C..

tor the first time in more than a
Gecade. 1t was more than that. &C.
,ording 80 Washington-it saw the +.
pSherinG into the home Of he presi-
dent a family as democratic in the
conduct of it's individuals DIS that Of
Thomas Jefferson.
There is q. new air about the man.
sion. which was built in 1900. Per-
maps. in bygone days there were occu-
pants of the White House who did lust
he same. there as they did in the
homes from which they came, but that
mas not been so in the last quarter Of
= century until now-until the day
That Mrs. Woodrow Wilson,, the pres
ent First Lady Of the Lana" and her
three daughters followed the head Of
the family from Princeton to Wash
ington.
The Wilson's. hat is the family.
which includes the president when he
- not presidenting. are just the same
IN the White louise as they were in
the little house on the University
grounds at Princeton. The president,
when he leaves his office for the man
SION is just Mr.. Wilson and Woodrow
and Papa. h l~ady-folks. we'll, they
conduct themselves like all southern
families and like most other fami-
lies.
Nv bNtt tii1clI oNAoh Va uoW tIlC
Wilson's are doing in the White House
IS had in the conduct Of their first day
there. Until March 4 none Of them,
not even the president, had ever been
here. The first thing the family did
after the guests had departed at
night was to inspect the building, find
out where each individuals room was
located. where the best closets were,
how many closets there were, what
Kline Of shades were in the windows,
and whether the furniture In the
rooms matched the other furnishings
and ~hangings.
The three Wilson girls. Miss Mar
Saret, Miss Jessie and Miss Eleanor,
saw everything there was to be seen.
They just poked their little heads
about first in this corner and then in
That. They knew every anglo of the
White HOuse in tw~enty-four hours.
They behaved just like healthy-minded
and bodied girls do generally behave.
II was splendid to see them running
about.
But that is not the only picture of
their naturalness and pure democracy
"f conduct. There are many others,
one Of which is the way the whole
family 20 down town to shops and
stores"
Whenever Mrs. Wilson or one of the
girls wants something at one Of the
stores, they do not delegate the house
keeper or some other attendant tC
make the purchase. They put on their
wraps. and, IL in a hurry, walk to the
stores which are a short distance from
The White House., make their purchas
IS. and, if they are Small, carry then
nome. If large they have them sen
Just like other folks. II they are no
q hurry and have several stores to Visi
The call the White House garage AM
order one of the closed White Hous
automobiles to carry them. They pre-
Ter the closed one because they d,
not want TO go about and make !
appear they are on show.
The receptions and teas which hav
been given were marked with the sin,
ptest of simplicity. No formal invi
tations are issued. If you want t
call at the White House and meet tn
president and Mrs. Wilson all you hav
10 do is make this known to the res
dents there and you will be received
~ course. owing to the great numbe
or callers persons who avail then
selves Of this liberty IT is necessary fc
the president and Mrs. Wilson to hay
certain hours for the receiving of cal
"rs. Mrs. Wilson serves tea durin
the hours between 4 and 6 on mo
days. At these teas one or all OF h
daughters assist her. These teas Al
DOT invitation affairs. They are ope
10 all who wish tn pay their respect
They have SO far been more than we
attended.
President Wilson tries to see son
one every afternoon but Saturday AZ
Sunday. Saturday afternoon the pre-
ident takes for a holiday. Sunday is
dav Of rest. The president always a
tends church OF the Sabbath.
To the afternoon receptions of &
president all are invited. Admission
by card. Any person desiring to sha
hands with the president a do
by calling at the executive Offices a
obtaining a card from one of the pro
er attaches there.
The "open door is In evidence
all occasions. 1t was not this way
former days. While President tt
was beloved by all Washington and
most Of the nation he was n his fa1
iiy were pretty exclusive. They ga
lots Of Hacenfi0na hut they were cal