It has been reliably reported that the ultimate authority on this subject was one Lyndon Johnson, who frequently invited (demanded) staff and correspondence to continue meetings in "the room" while he relieved himself.

In one fairly notorious instance he was accompanied by a full fleet of international press correspondence when he launched into an extended tirade about the improper placement of the paper dispenser. Being a "man of action" sometime soon after he ordered the "reconstruction" of all the "rooms" at the Whitehouse to relocate all the dispensers according to his personal specification.

It was my understanding however that he had no particular objection to the height of the dispensers, but was offended by the placement of them directly beside the "seat," where, in his objection, "you have to twist around and reach behind yer ass to get to it."

So far as was reported, his complete specification for dispenser placement was never released publicly, but probably could be found in his personal papers at the Johnson library. It was suggested by one reporter that "the assward edge of the dispenser should be at least even with, or forward of, the most forward edge of the seat in sitting position." I don't know if that was a quote, and poor Lyndon is now inaccessible for further consultation.

As to the proper use of the paper once it has been dispensed and is at hand, my only "formal instruction" was from my own mother. She reported that in her youth the local "Doc" had responded to an outbreak of "mysteriously propogated feminine infections" by discretely(?) suggesting to the ladies society that the women of the community should be advised to "try to wipe front to back so they quit pushing the shit into the other hole." I've not surveyed (or observed) to determine whether this advice is widely followed, or even generally known.

John