EDITH ROOSEVELT: MODERN FIRST LADY
Her young, rambunctious family and their antics were already well known, and well reported, from their days in the New York Governor's Mansion. They continued to attract even more interest from reporters. Edith Roosevelt was determined to handle the publicity more successfully than her predecessors had done. Francis Cleveland had barred reporters from the White House lives of her children, but that had only resulted in wild rumors of deformities and illness. Edith decided that since she could not deny the public's curiosity about her family, she could satisfy it on her own terms.
Edith provided posed photographs to reporters, which solved most of the problems. McClure's, Harper's Bazaar, Harper's Weekly, and Review of Reviews all ran pictures of her children but gave little information. For Alice Roosevelt's wedding to Representative Nicholas Longworth and for Ethel Roosevelt's debut, photographers and reporters were included in the preparations so as to prevent the uncontrolled snooping that had marred the Cleveland wedding.
In the summer of 1902, extensive renovations were made to the White House. Many First Ladies had wanted a greater separation between the residence and official duties of the President. Edith accomplished this. In the future, the family living quarters would be upstairs and off-limits to the public and even the President's staff. A new office wing was added to house the workings of the administration and the President's staff. The first floor of the White House would be public areas for receptions and social occasions.
Edith Roosevelt ran the White House as an executive. She hired an assistant to see to the daily details. This assistant, Belle Hagner, exhibited so much executive ability that one of the President's aides said he was "simply astonished." All information about the First Lady or the social schedule came from Mrs. Hagner. Even Edith's children were instructed not to speak with reporters.
Edith took one more unusual step to control the White House. She met weekly with the cabinet wives to discuss the social calendar. This prevented conflicts, set limits and kept expenses down. Even with the White House expense account, she needed to economize and watch social expenses. She could not risk having the President's parties considered inferior to those of Cabinet members. Edith understood the natural temptation for the Cabinet wives to complete with each other, which would increase expenses for everyone. By setting limits, this was avoided. Rumors said that Edith used these meeting to set ultimatums
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