Evening star., 1925-03-29

needs and possibilities OF ms Courne
A large entertainment the hrst al
several years and which may be con-
sidered a debut for the new admins
tration. will be given soon after the
return of Congress.
Will Typify Mexico.
Active preparations for harmonic
Ing things purely Mexican with the
MacVeagh conceptions were made re-
Gently when the Ambassador confer
red at Mexico City with President
PIutarco Elias Gales. who Inspected
the embassy last Fall. As a result
Mr.. Teller was authorized TO order
the following items. which will soon
arrive:
l. 4 carload of native shrubs
plants and flowers from Mexico City,
which will be attended en- route by
a Mexican horticulturist.
3 Half a carload of Mexican fur
niture, vases, pictures bric-a-b -brac
and Aztec Indian pottery and other
specimens loaned by the department of
archaeology.
s. A shipment of cabinets and
other small pieces of furniture from
Paris.
4. A complete silver service from
Brussels.
5. Miscellaneous pieces. like Per-
sian rugs. tapestries and draperies
from the Near East.
The embassy throughout will be
made to represent a sort of cross
section of Mexican life and produc-
tions. A series of entertainments
will assemble the representatives of
pan-America in a manner that ii is
believed will have more chan a social
significance.
Ownership Long Secret.
Just what changes will be made is
matter for the decision of the ar
lists who have been employed. The
MacVeagh home first became a puz-
zle to the public because of its secret
ownership, and then it was the Won
der of everybody hidden to see it's
marvels. II was the result of several
trips to various parts of the world
by Mrs. MacVeagh, who, unfortu-
nately, died in the house in the
Spring of 1916, after having occu-
pied it for four years. Most of the
MacVeagh scheme will be retained.
In detail and some major instances
the scheme will be made to blend
with the Mexican. Mr.. MacVeagh is
said 10 be anxious that no radical
change should be made because Of
the past association but has offered
no suggestions.
The proposal for a greater ambas-
sadorial establishment was conceived
perhaps five. years ago when the
quarters We're located at 1413 I
street. Finally Mr.. MacVeagh decided
to sell, and, although recognition had
not been extended by the American
Government the Mexican officials, at
the instance of Ser or Teller, went
ahead with the purchase. which was
handled through the firm of Mckeev-
er & Goss Last Fall the expected
recognition came and some of the
financial clouds disappeared. Now
the ambition of an embassy kept in
superb style is to be realized and
the predominating style is to be
Mexican.
The construction of the building,
begun in 1910, shows a woman de-
voted to her husband concealing by
every clever device the preparations
for an act comforting upon him a
most unusual and surprising gift.
The land, $50 feet by 200, was bought
by Mrs. MacVeagh in secret. Thus
were retained the architect, n. c.
Wyeth, and the contractor When
workmen started digging Mr.. Mac
Veagh held the Treasury portfolio in
the cabinet of President Taft. He
and his wife were then living in the
Marshall Field place at Euclid and
Sixteenth streets, within stones
throw of the newly acquired site.
Secret Well Guarded.
Once the curiosity of the Secretary
led him to the site. Others became
curious The architect referred all
such to the contractor and the con-
tractor referred them back to the
architect, who was usually out of
town.
The newspapers began to speculate
on who could be behind such man.
moth enterprise. The report found
it's way into one paper that Mrs Mac
Veagh was the owner. Mr.. MacV eagh
read the item but reasoned that it
must be a mistake. Everything was
ready at Christmas Eve in 1911. The
following day was to be happy one
for Mr.. MacNeagh. The sequel can
well be imagined.
Included in the MacVeagh circle of
close friends was President Taft.
Miss Helen Taft. his daughter, was
a social bud at that time. The Mac
Veaghs opened their great house
with a reception, ball and supper to
Miss Helen Taft. They had not
moved in, nor had any beside them
selves seen the interior of this mar
velous mansion. All would see to-
gether at the appointed hour, which
was socially the big splash" of the
season.
Every floor was brilliantly illumin-
ated. The guests were arriving, and
they included everybody who was
anybody in Washington during that
period.
Then the lights went out. A fuse
had blown somewhere. Mr.. MacVeagh
quickly ordered the band and the or
chestra to play on: they performed
with a greater avidity than before.
The hostess produced a small box of
fancy candles. which shed a spectral
glow upon the previously dazzling
scene, but without producing much
real light. The grocery stores were
closed but neighbors contributed
some kitchen candles. At this juno
ture the President of the United
States issued an order from broad
settee. He said in effect:
Taft Saves Situation.
Everybody stay where you are.
The lights will come on in a few min
utes. You don't have the opportunity
sften to dance by candle light"
The novelty of the situation was
apparent. Mr.. Taft had struck the
right chord. Nobody left. but instead
danced merrily on and had the time
of their lives. Two hours elapsed.
Still no light that was worthy of the
name. The supper must be served at
all costs. Again the Chief Executive
spoke: Il always have a good appe
tiee and don't have to see to eat"
As the guests reached the ice cream
and cake, the lights came on. A
about of surprise and qualification
be-