Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1919-03-17


which we are thankful, having beer
unable to get seats for his former
recital.
Taking into consideration the time
spent INDUCING ones self in these
frivolities, do you see how there's
room for much else? But, you know
A little nonsence. filed with whirls,
Is relished by tired business girls.
For they protest life fraught with
cares
And fain would play, as milliOnares!
Too--a little seriousness now and
then is rclished by tired business men
likewise T. b. G's Therefore, our
tour of the White House office was
thoroughly enjoyed.
The White House.
From the exterior one would expect
to find probably two offices rooms of
medium size. Its smallness is pro-
nounced because of its being flanked on
both sides by immense structures, the
state, war, and navy building and the
White House proper. 1t is really very
large and contains. aside from the en-
trance hall, the reception hall and
numerous little ante-rooms for door
keepers, etc, six large rooms. The
first we ientered, after passing the
main entrance and the beautiful recep-
ton hall done in white and green, was
the Notice of the two assistants to
Secretary Tumulty, Rudolph Foster
and r. w. Brahaney. The former
first began work at the executive man
sion as stenographer to Mrs. Cleveland
while the latter gentleman assumed
his sccretarial duties during the Taft
administration.
From this room we passed into the
office of Secretary Tumulty. Here the
interior decorations and velvet hang
ings are restful green shade. Grace
full ferns are placed here and there and
a massive mahogany desk, a davenport
and chairs form appropriate office
furniture.
Private Office.
These two rooms are newer than
the other part of the building. The
addition was built during the Taft adj
ministration on the ground Roosevelt
used for a tennis court.
The presidents private Office can he
entered from several doors; the en-
trance we took was the door which
connects the Office of Secretary Tu-
multy and that of president Wilson.
The room, which is oval in shape, has
only one side for windows and, al
though this side is almost lined with
them, still. I think Secretary Tu-
multy's room with two sides for win
dows for light and air, is far nicer.
The mahogany furniture here is beauti-
full against the white enameled and
the green rug. This rich, soft velvet
floor covering is said to have cost sew
cral thousands of dollars. There is n
marble mantle. sections and sections
of wall bookcases, mahogany furniture
with green upholstery. and wonder
full chandelier. Palms grace the
mantle and tables giving an added
touch of dignity.
His Own Chair.
But all the dignity and repose is
married by one thing and yet through
that one thing the character of the man
is displayed as it could not be in any
other way. When William Howard
Taft completed his years of work in
this office, he took his chair. as has
always been the custom of retiring
presidents. He had another desk chair
made for his successor but, upon its
arrival, it was found to be too large.
or too small, or too something or other.
Anyway. President Wilson didn't like
ii and wouldn't use it. He replaced 1t
with a common every day swivel chair
like you will find in the Freeman
Journal Office or anywhere else. And
he uses this chair--and refuses to use
any other. 1t doesn't match up with
the other furnishings; it is just
plain dark oak chair. But Woodrow
doesn't want to be bothered. he says
it's alright. He hasn't time to think
of such small matters as chairs.
So. seeing Woodrow likes it. l, liking
Woodrow in spite of his perverted
IDEAS sat in this common chair. cross
ed my hands on his big desk, assumed
n most businesslike air and enjoyed
for fully one minute the experience of
holding down the seat of the mighty.
oh, its great sensation. I'm tellin'
you.
One can get pretty view from III"
long windows in the presidents ofiic,
which overlook that part of the lawn
where the Easter egg rolling Is held
eacLyear.
Special Waiting Room.
A special waiting room, done in
maroon. is reached from one of the
doors of the presidents Office. Here
wait the distinguished people who are
DESTROYS of having private confer