TURNING THE TABLES ON TEDDY

Being a big fan of billiards, our newly elected 26th president was determined to have table installed in the White House. Of course he didn't want any normal billiard table. He wanted one with an ostentatious covering that would be appropriate to the nation's highest office, perhaps one featuring a presidential seal, or possibly stars & stripes. The chief executive had lots of big ideas, in fact so many that he had trouble deciding on one design. He asked the manufacturer's representative to bring in several samples to help him pick one. On the day the decision was to be made, the eager salesman arrived at the White House with a whole cart load of samples for the proposed table covering. His excitement was understandable for he was certain the odder rolls of felt would serve as a good precedent.

Gary Hallock