Evening star., 1933-02-26

"A last week as Chief Executive
1 \ With his hair thinner and
grayer and otherwise aged in
appearance, although at least IS pounds
lighter in weight than when he took
over the reins of government four years
with genuine relish to the rest awaiting
him in retirement. His spirits have
frightened. He has given the appear
ance of man lust counting the days
when he will be free of it all.
OF course, he was disappointed when
he was defeated last November. He
was hurt, too. But never since that
decisive turn-down by the electorate
has he shown the slightest bitterness.
On the other hand. Mrs. Hoover has
been actually jubilant. She has been
happier since that defeat last Novem-
ber. There has been something ap-
has gone about packing of their house
hold effects and personal belongings
preparatory to her exit from the White
House next Saturday.
The Hoovers probably brought more
personal furniture and other belong
ings to the Executive Mansion than
any other presidential family within
the memory of any one about the White
House now. With the exception Of the
articles needed up to the end. every
thing is now on its way either to the
Palo Alto home or else in storage, and
Mrs. Hoover has personally superin-
tended all the packing.
So the White House today Is more
bare than usual. Every one agrees
that the Hoovers came nearer making
Of the Mansion a real home than any
Of their predecessors. They always had
company at meals and in the evening.
Their guests, except on certain occa-
siors, consisted of old friends. and
there was no formality or stiffness.
For nearly a year the laughter and
tramping of feet of their grandchildren
sent happy echoes throughout the his
toric old Mansion.
Busy Week Ahead.
Mr.. Hoover's last week naturally will
be busy one. He will have a number
Of last-minute bills to sign or else dis
approve. The Executive Committee of
the National Committee will assemble
here tomorrow, and at o'clock in the
afternoon he will receive the group at
the White House at tea. Besides clear
Ing up his desk and disposing of the
business before him, the President will
be active in q semi-social way. The
last formal social occasion was held
last night at the White House, when
he received the Army-Navy and de-
partment heads, but during the week
he and Mrs Hoover have planned sew
eral informal affairs to serve as fare
well parties" to their friends and ad-
miniStration associates.
Among the souvenirs OF his high
office, Mr.. Hoover Is taking with him
to private life one of the White House
limousines. This car has been pur-
chased by him and already Is on its
way to California.
The Hoovers late yesterday received
q very strong reminder that their
White House days are nearing the end
when the first shipment of the effects
of President ELECT and Mrs. Roosevelt
arrived, These Grated articles were
placed in the basement and will be
held there until ready for unpackng
and their proper placing. 1t is expected
that by the end of the week most OF
the Roosevelt belongings will have ar
rived.
Reports from the Hyde Park, N. Y.
home of President-elect and Mrs. RoOse-
welt, that the latter has selected Henry
Nesbitt. neighbor, for appointment as
"custodian-chief clerk Of the White
House." are very puzzling to officials OF
the White House. because there Is nc
such position on the rolls Of the White
House.
1t is explained, however, that such q
position could easily be created by the
new President and a salary arranged
accordingly, but those who are in po-
sition to speak advisedly are at loss
as to know just what would be the
duties of such an officer as custodian
chief clerk"
Called CuStOdians.
For many years there has been such
q position as custodian, the duties be-
ing to keep track of the valuable plate
and other property of the White House
and to make an annual inventory. Al
ways this place has been given to some
one employed at the White House in
some other capacity. At present Miss
Ava Long. who has been housekeeper
throughout the Hoover administration,
Is custodian. Before her, Miss Kathe-
rine Reilly, who was housekeeper during
the latter part of the Coolidge admins
tration, held the place, and for years
previous to that it was held by the late
Arthur Brooks, who was valet to Presi-
dents Taft, Wilson, Harding and
Coolidge.
Recalling that the position Of White