The Washington times., 1931-03-25
Prepare for
MOnarch'S
Arrival
Estate of Mrs. WhiteIaW
Reid to House King and
Queen of Siam on Their
First Visit
BY ANNIE PATTEN

GldUOI dOC PLCRdA 0bAOAAo Oh NC
ing made at Ophir Hall, the
Purchase, N. Y, estate of Mrs.
Whitelaw Reid, in anticipation
Of the arrival of the King and
Queen of Siam, now en- route to
the United States, who will
make their headquarters at the
palatial mansion.
The house itself, with its 200
magnificently furnished rooms,
is one of the most regal resi-
dences in this country. In days
past, when the late Whitelaw
Raid, one-time United States
ambassador to Great Britain,
was living, it was the scene Of
much entertaining. The SIAM
eSe rulers are not the first per
sonages of royal blood to be
housed beneath its hospitable
roof.
Will Be Absent
Mrs. Reid, however, will be
absent during the stay of the
royal visitors. In ill health and
Of an age to shrink from too
much hustle and excitement,
she has departed for her Cali
fornia estate, planning to re-
main on the West Coast until
after the departure of King
Prajadhipok and his Queen.
She left, however, complete
instructions regarding the al
terationS at Ophir Hall, which
are now under way.
The grounds, comprising sew
eral hundred acres of gardens
and woodland tracts, are being
put in perfect trim. The nine
hole golf course (King Prajad-
hipok is an enthusiastic golfeD
is being given the latest beauty
treatment prescribed by golf
experts.
An Ideal Place
Nothing will be wanting to
add to the comfort of the
royal pair. There is huge
outdoor swimming pool, an ex-
cellent stable of blooded horses
and greenhouses capable of
supplying fruits and vegetables
the year round.
In preparation for the eye
operation which the King is
to undergo while in Purchase,
a specially fitted operation room
Is being constructed. Latest
medical equipment will be com
plete in every detail.
Will Visit HOovers
King Prajadhipok and his
Queen will visit and be enter
tanned by President and Mrs.
Hoover on April 20; the first
royal visitors to Washington
since Queen Marie of Rumania
and her encourage in 1926. Like
Queen Marie's, their arrival in
Washington will be accompanied
by all the pomp and ceremony
a republican government can
display.
The State Department will
provide guard of United States
Secret Service men and an es-
Cort of State troopers, who will
travel with the royal pair
throughout their visit.
Will Guard Estate
Precautions are being made to
guard the Reid estate on which
the gates will be locked and no
one will be allowed to enter
without proper credentials. The
main house and other buildings
will be connected directly with
the nearby police station by
direct wires.
According to the, State De
partment, the royal party will
land at Vancouver, British Co
lumbia, and travel through
Canada, entering American ter
ritory at Portal, N. D., on April
20. The King and his party
will be welcomed there by rep
resentatives of President Hoover
and Secretary of State Stimson.
Plan Chicago Trip
From Portal the party will
travel by rail to Chicago, arriv-
ing there about 8:35 a. m. on
April 81. A four-hour stop is
planned. Then the visitors will
entrain for Harmon, N. Y,
reaching there about II a.. M,
April %. The party will then
motor to Ophir Hall, escorted
by State troopers and New York
police and the Government
escort.
A special train will take their
majesties to Washington on
April %. where they will occupy
the Massachusetts, Avenue resi-
dence of Mr.. and Mrs. Larz An
derson. They will be officially
welcomed at the White House
on April 20, when they will be
honored at a dinner. They will
return to Purchase on the fol-
lowing day.
GlVeS bacneIOr Dinner
Francis LeCompte Spalding,
Of Boston, whose marriage to
Miss Lodanda Prochnik, daugh-
ter of the minister of Austria,
Edgar Prochnik, will take place
tomorrow, entertained at
bachelor dinner at the Shore
low 10 CT oveninp
Mr.. Spalding'S parents, DR..
and Mrs. Frederick Maurice
Spalding, of Boston, and his sis
ter, Miss Elsie Spalding, ar
rived in Washington yesterday
10 attend the nuptial cere-
monies. They are registered at
the Carlton.