Evening star., 1930-09-25

century.
Critics have declared the late
Georgian styles which were so
popular in colonial days, or the
earlier American designs OF New
England, would have been far
more appropriate than the more
lavish empire furniture which
adorns the east and red rooms,
and which also decorated the
green room until the New Eng
land First Lady, Mrs. Calvin
Coolidge, refurnished it in the
early American style. Occasion
ally Congress appropriateS $4,000
or so to do over the state apart
mentS, but there is an annual
$4,000 available for refurnishing,
$3,2S0 for repairs and alterations
and nearly $4,000 for equipment.
President Roosevelt ardently cham
pioned McKim'S cause, but the debate
never dies out. Each school of fur
niShing and decoration has its defend
ers, and advisers who are called in
quite occasionally often find their ex-
perienced opinions disputed. Mrs.
Hoover has made no public pronounce
ment of her views, but certain pieces
from the Palo Alto estate adorn the
White House rooms, also personal things
brought to the Executive Mansion from
the S street home where the Hoovers
lived when the President was Secretary
of Commerce.
Perhaps the outstanding contribution
OF the Hoover administration to White
House furnishings Is the recently ac-
uuired 16-piece suite of ofhce furniture
now reposing in the executive of1ces,
Furniture manufacturers presented this
handsome group of pieces, reputed to
have cost $1,000, TO President Hoover
as its part of the renovation which
followed the Christmas Eve fire. Mrs
Hoover was the first to correct an
erroneous report to the effect that she
was the donor.
Desk Of Intricate Design.
The piece de resistance Of this hand
some suite is an elegant desk, "a inches
long, made from carefully selected
wood. picked for beauty and grain. II
Is In intricate fooled design, with hand
wrought bronze trimmings, bulg1ne
drawer fronts and back panels, anc
carrying decorative detail worked by the
leading artisans of the industry.
Edward Franklin Taber, authority or
furniture for the office, and Stuart
Clingman, recognized as one Of The
leading contemporary household furni'
ture designers, collaborated In planning
the suite.
Michigan burl maple of dark brown
hue was selected because 1t lent itseli
TO development Of handsome antique
finish, giving the appearance Of q vel
preserved Colonial suite. The general
color scheme in the tapestry coveripgI
for chairs is green and tan. with few
Of the brighter Autumn shades OF dull
red and gold being used.
Other pieces comprised in the suit
include several chairs covered in ricl
fabrics, q pair of beautiful book cabi
nets and several occasional tables.
American Pieces Sought.
This matter of gifts brings up mem
ory of the fact that Mrs. Coolidg
caused Congress TO enact bill per
1nitting the President to accept earl
American pieces of genuine documentet
history. The appeal for contribution
was not especially gratifying. Puppies
wrist watches and cowboy hats wer
gratuitous donation Of heirlooml
whether because Of intrinsic value
family associations, have not over
whelmed the White House.
One gift presented to Roosevelt is
gold piano, said to be worth $l5,00C
Given by a manufacturer, 1t is distin
guished by a carved American eagl
OF massive proportions and a paintin
on the inside cover executed by Thoma
Dewing.
Until the forceful Roosevelt heade
the Nation the White House was bot
ONCE and home for Presidents. SeconC
story chambers included Office heaC
quarters, and living space was crampe
for q family Of the extensive proper
tions OF the Roosevelts, only seve
rooms being available. During the tin
Kermit and Quentin and Princess AliC
were living there the executive Office
6 were built on the west terrace. Sine
they have been enlarged several time
and today there is room for IL bt
rooms, dressing rooms and parlors, &
well as the private library of the Pres
dent on the second floor.
Silver Chandelier Noted.
The first floor drawing rooms rema
rs they were. The east room Is us
as the ball room. The state diniI
Toom is paneled in oak. It Is hui
with tapestries and heads Of big gan
EarIv English Tudor furniture Of ge
erous and massive proportions predon
mates. The room Is lighted by famo
36-candle silver chandelier ana 81
hrackets. There are at least five form
Stata dinners each Winter and an ocC
sional additional oficial function
honored guests from foreign fields: 7
dinners to Cabinet, to the Vice Pre-
dent, Speaker of the House, Diploma
Corps and Supreme Court, as all was
angton knows, are brilliantly ceremoni
with ofhcial seating in order OF RAJ
In the same dining room are neld
lnfornnai dinner parties in which Pre-
dent and Mrs Hoover delight. IN
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