Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-08
AND GROUNDS
Repairs on the Executive Mansion Well
in Hand.
The Months Visitors to the Washing.
ton Monument and Work On the
Parks and Streets.

Col. j. NJ. Wilson has made q report to
Gen. Casey, chief Of engineers of operations
on public buildings and grounds during the
month of September. Extensive work has
been In progress during the month on the
Executive Mansion. The exterior Of the
mansion has been repainted; the ceiling on
north side OF north entrance, from which a
small piece Of sandstone fell some time
since. has been repaired: a careful examina-
ton Of this entire ceiling was made, and 1t
was found to be in good and safe condition;
within the mansion repairs have been made
to the plumbing, gas AMI electric light ap-
paratus; the main vestibule and main cor
rldor have been repainted; the green and
blue parlors reprinted and regilded the
east room, the state dining room and other
apartments reprinted The large painting
Love and Life" which was presented to
the United States by Mr.. G. F. Watts R.A,
of England, has been delivered at the White
House, but has not yet been unpacked Ex-
tenSive repairs have been made to the main
conservatory. which was found to be in very
woodwork.
The II onument, the lodge and boiler house
and machinery. of the elevator have been
maintained in good condition. During the
mCnth 1o,?43 persons visited the top of the
monument, 1O,2S1 by the elevator and 3. 65t;
oy the stairway. making a total Of 1,OOO,O61
persons who have assembled since the shaft
was cptHeu 10 the pubic, october y, 1888,
without single accident of any kind Col,
Wl'Son says that credit is due Mr. John
HaWEins. the custodian. and his assistants
ior the earnest and faithful manner in
Wnici they have discharged the duties de-
NoiVirS upon them in guarding the interests
OF the United States as well as those of the
visitors to the great shaft"
Coz siderable work has been done in the
varic US parks and reservations. At the
w mite House new granite steps have been
paced at the east and west entrances on
pennsylvania avenue, and a granolithic
pavement constructed from each entrance
TO the north front.
III the south grounds an asphalt pave
lnent covering an area of POS square wards
has been laid in front CT the south balcony.
ana the stone tagging walk leading from
the southeast to the southwest gate has
Deen repaired. The trees and plants in the
various parks were prepared for the winter
The tropical plants in Franklin and other
parks We're removed to the green houses
The nagsing pavement from the Executive
Mansion grounds was hauled to Seaton
Park for use in laying sidewalk three feet
wide through the park. between the 9th
street bridge and the Botanical Gardens
In the Smithsonian park the main road
leading from the National Museum to the
ith street entrance was covered With as
phalt over area of 800 square yards
Asphalt pavementS and gravel roads were
made In other parks.
Col Wilson says that the lawns of the
monument park were seriously damaged
during the encampment of the Knights of
Pythias, and the board walks were broken
in number of places by heavy wagons
passing over them. All possible repairs
have been made and the lawns are slowly
son says they will be in good condition by
next summer.