Evening star., 1925-07-23

Refitting of. the White House goes
ahead without interruption, just as
though there had been no argument
over the fitness of substituting
Colonial furnishings for the traditional
style of the French empire period.
And, while the American Institute OF
Architects has its supporters in criti-
cizing the change, the country gem
orally seems to like the idea OF real
American interior for the Executive
Mansion.
mo doubt" remarks the Fort
Worth Star-Telegram, President
Coolidge has carefully weighed the
merits of the two sides of the contro-
versy, in which case the Coolidge
firmness would indicate that the
changes will be carried out. The
American Institute of Architects may
object-for some reason unexplained
but the majority Of American people
will approve" Since impressions of
American tradition are obtained from
the Executive Mansion by travellers,
the st. Paul Pioneer Press believes
that "if the means of reclaiming the
White House as a shrine for Ameri-
can taste has been provided. no one
should dare to thwart the effort"
''It seems appropriate" in the judg-
ment of the Butte Daily Post, that
the White House should be distinc-
lively American, outside and inside,
and should suggest the great period
in which the Nation was born" SINH
larly declaring that "the residence of
the American President ought to be
decorated and furnished in a manner
both dignified and simple" the Hart
ford Times holds that mo style lends
itself better to that purpose than the
Colonial" In fact, declares the Provi-
dence Journal, sit will be surprising
if the American people agree with the
critics that it would be a monstrous
sacrilege to permit a room in the
White House to be furnished in Ameri-
can style"
The Buffalo News also thinks "the
purpose of the President to adopt a
typical American motif will be gen
orally approved" and the New York
World adds: ''It is hard to see, when
we developed a singularly beautiful
domestic art ourselves, why we should
have gone to Europe for decorative
plan for our leading American home"
Considering the other side Of the
question, the Newark News suggests
that "the clamor for a revival of the
Colonial trad1tlon ought at least to
recognize the French tradition of the
Republics infancy. Whether the
White House can be converted sue
cessfully into Colonial mansion may
we'll be left to the architectural ex-
perts.'' The Philadelphia Public Ledger
is more positive in the statement that
'if the aim is to restore the White
House as it used to be, the purpose
will not be achieved by Colonial pc
Rod rooms with museum pieces"
Dissertation is seen by the Canton
News, which asserts: 1T is not so
much, perhaps, that President Cool
idge has desired a change from the
French Empire style of decoration as
that he thoughtlessly has approved
the suggestion of some one else. Now
that the matter has been brought to
his notice so emphatically, 1t is hoped
he will see the point, which Is that to
remodel the White House is desecra-
ton. Tradition should make 1t invio-
late"
Satisfaction is expressed by the
Adrian Telegraph that "the stir that
has been aroused by the contemplated
repairs indicate a marked growth Of
interest on the part of the country in
national tradition"
The Oakland Tribune consoles with
occupants of the White House on their
1if1culties. They must keep in mind