Among the many accomplishments Mrs. Taft brought to her régime at the White House was her skill as a linguist. During her extensive travels she had devoted time to the study of languages in the countries she visited, and her ability to converse with some of the diplomats in their own tongues was a source of great satisfaction and pleasure. Mrs. Taft kept pace with her husband in public affairs and during her occupancy of the White House was thoroughly conversant with political questions that were paramount in interest. But she limited her discussions and expressions of opinion to the privacy of the family group. Instead of concerning herself with politics, she devoted her energies to the changes she wished to bring about in the management of the forty-room house which Uncle Sam had given her for a temporary residence. Beginning with the front door, she substituted coloured-liveried butlers for the blue-uniformed police who formerly guarded this entrance, and then, at her request, the position of steward was abolished and replaced by that of housekeeper, paid by the government at the rate of $1,200 annually. Mrs. Jane Jaffray, recommended by some of Mrs. Taft’s friends in New York, was appointed to this position, which was one of great responsibility, as the housekeeper supervised the servants, all being of equal rank under her authority. She had charge of the linen and silver, for the cleaning of which Mrs. Taft installed an electric silver-cleaning machine, which lessened the labour and saved time. Mrs. Jaffray also had charge of the china, the pantry, and the refrigerator. The morning before inauguration, Mrs. Taft took Mrs. Jaffray to the big centre market and made the rounds of the stalls with her, explaining her methods and acquainting her with the food the family liked. All of the marketing during the Taft régime was done by the housekeeper, not only for the family and the servants, but for the formal entertaining. All of the catering for the state functions was done in the White House kitchens, even to the ices and confectionery. Mrs. Taft had always been a practical, capable manager. Under her direction, the purchasing of staples was done in wholesale quantities. Mrs. Taft planned and carried out an elaborate social programme. She was persuaded that Washington City should be the social centre of the country and did her best to carry out her ideal, which she explained in an interview for the New York _American_ as follows: