Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-08
WHITE HOUSE EXTENSION.
Senator Morrill's Eiews-Mra Harrison
Supplements Her First Ideas.

sion Of the executive mansion, but the measure
went no further, and since that time the
projectlsy dormant except as topic of criticism
Of the government in official and especially in
social circles until Mrs. Harrison revived the
subject and has since given it very earnest at.
tention.
Senator Morrill,, in referring to Mrs. Harri-
sons interest in the matter, said to represent
alive Of TIE STAB: II am cordially in favor OF
Mrs. Harrison's idea Of an enlargement Of the
executive mansion. That subject has inter-
ested me for a long time. have had Q bill
passed twice for that purpose, but it never
went through the lower house. / am now in
hopes that something will come out Of the
present agitation. have no doubt that II the
subject were presented formally from the execu-
tive mansion there would be no hesitation"
II have the same view as believe many of
my colleagues in the Senate entertain, and that
Is that no plan should be adopted which would
contemplate any change in the present official
home OF the President. The structure is I'M
questionably the most attractive INTELLECTUALLY
OF any of the public buildings in Washington.
The bill which introduced some years ago for
an enlargement of the executive mansion was
for the purpose of erecting an extension on the
south Of the present structure Of equal and
similar exterior character and connected there
with by a corridor.
SEPARATE BUILDING.
'This plan would leave the present structure
intact with all its approaches and thus pre-
serve all its associations and memories. The
building south would be a counterpart of the
original one. 1t should stand far enough away
from it to admit of generous circulation of
air. The land on the south being lower than
that upon which the present building stands the
basement OF the new building would be entirely
clear and might be utilized as healthful apart
ments. The two buildings should be connected
by corridor or wing thirty feet wide. This
would be as wide as the present east ROOM
The south or private part of the executive home
should be placed under such regulations
as the President might see fit to adopt. 1t
would be his private residence and closed
against the callers on official business, Office
etiquette or to pay respects. The entrance on
the south would be used by the ladies of the
household. The present structure ON the first
floor might remain practically as it is for ord-
nary Inequalities and reception of foreign min
listers or delegations. The connecting corridor
should be SO arranged that it would afford an
imposing means Of communication between
the two buildings which might be utilized to-
gether upon occasions Of great receptions
by the President. There should be q grand
stairway and the apartments on the main floor
should be arranged for the convenience of the
family and to add to the comfort of guests
when the numbers are large. 1t is now i'm
possible to attend a reception with any pleas
ure. The great thrOng is restricted to one end
OF the building, where may always be found a
struggling mass of ladies in expensive toilets
and their attending gentlemen.
II think this subject Of giving more room
for the accommodation Of the President should
be taken up and disposed of imme diately. The
additional building might easily be added by
1892"
There are differing views as to how the ad.
dltlonal accommodations should be secured.
favor duplicate Of the present structure on
the south as there is more space in that direc-
tlon than on the east or west. The wings would
take up much OF the space now devoted to
lawns and flower beds and would damage in q
measure the imposing granite structure of the
State, War and Navy departments. building
south should have the same facade as the pres
emit building. In that direction the space oc-
cupied by the structure would not be missed
The addition Of wings would also very ma
mansion, and that I do not think any one
favors"
The views expressed by Senator Cameron on
a former occasion were to let Mrs. Harrison
say what are her ideas as to the requirements
of the domestic surroundings of the President
and to formulate bill in that line.
Senator ingalls, in stating his views was in
favor OF adding story to the building, thus
completing it in accordance with the archi-
tectural design of the structure of which it is
a reproduction.
MRS. HARRIsoNs VIEWS.
Since the first views expressed by Mrs. Harri-
son on the needs Of the Presidents family in
household accommodations she has given the
subject closer inquiry and study. She still
prefers the idea OF throwing out two-wings. In
speaking further on the subject Mrs. Harrison
says: Il know there are different ideas about
how the executive mansion should be enlarged
but l think better results could be reached
more promptly and with the same expenditure
by simply extending the present building. The
ann 6alI n<ft hn \
ton OF hall OF paintings and statuary would
not occupy any more space than now
covered by the former structure. The
private apartments Of the President
might be provided on the east No more space
than that occupied by the present conserva-
tories would be required there. All the rooms
would in that arrangement have fine outlook
to the south over the long sweep of park to
the Washington monument with the Potomac
river in the distance, and to the north across the
parks in that direction with the buildings of the
city stretching away toward the hills on the
northern boundary. By this arrangement upon
occasions OF receptions and other state hospital-
ties the entire first floor could be utilized to
advantage. The great trouble now is the alb
sence OF space to permit any large number of
people to remove their wrappings and to pass
into the parlors without crush.
FOR DEPARTING GUESTS.
"On the exterior of the building an arcaded
way extending on either side of the main en-
trance in a semicircular form as the walks are
now arranged would afford better facilities for
persons leaving or entering their carriages.
When any great number are arriving about the
same time there is great delay, and in taking
their carriages the departing guests are often
compelled to wait for long time often ex-
posed to the night air.
The interior arrangement could be designed
for the convenience Of large numbers of per-
sons and the upper stories would then afford
ample room for domestic and official conyen-
ience."
Mrs. Harrison is very much in earnest on this
subject and is particularly anxious to have the
improvements to be authorized now 80 that
they can be carried out in time at least for the
occupancy OF her successor as presiding lady.
------>O>--
The Georgetown Amateur Orchestra.
1t was pleasant to see worthy ambition and
earnest effort SO we'll rewarded as thew were
last evening by the very large attendance, not
outstanding the storm, at the '.public re-
hearsaf' of the Georgetown amateur orchestra
in Music hall. The performance itself was
worthy OF an ample recognition, for so excel
lent results from amateur effort in that most
difficult and complex department of music,
orchestral playing, are very rare. An excellent
quality OF tone, clearness and generally we'll
preserved balance among the parts intelligence
and discretion in following the conductors in
dications as to shading and tempo and. above
all, purity and correctness Of information that
were seldom interrupted by untuneful mo-
ments gave an unusual distinction to the work
OF the GEORGETOWN orchestra They wera heat