Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-07
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
COL Wilson's Report Of Operations During
Last Month.
improvements and Repairs TO the
Executive Mansion, Parks and
Reservations.

Co.. j. NJ. Wilson, corps OF engineers has
made report TO Gen. Casey of the opera
tions on public buildings and grounds dur
ing the month of July. He says that ar
engagements have been made for painting
the exterior IF the White House, and also
for painting the east room. and blue and
green parlors. A new carpet has been or
dered for the blue parlor. to replace the one
formerly used. which is worn and badly
stained. Arrangements have also been
made for liying gTanolithic pavement IN
place Of the old slab pavement on the north
front of the mansion. and the work will be
done so soon as the Necessary appropria ton
shall have been made. The construction OF
a new door IN place Of a window in the red
parlor has been completed. The grounds
within the limits IF The iron fences sur
rounding the Executive Mansion have been
maintained in excellent condition, in spite
CT the drought. Col. Wilson says that the
public began using the ellipse as a line of
pedestrian travel from the street just west
of the treasury to the monument grounds
and trespass. path Appeared across the
lawn. A wire protection was placed on
each side. and warning boards were again
erected.
1t is unfortunate" he Gays, that Just
as the efforts to remove from the public
grounds all warning boards to keep off the
grass had been successful, some Thought
less persons rendered IL necessary that they
should again be placed at this locality in
order that the beautifuf~ ellipse should not
he disfigured by trespass paths"
The Washington Monument.
The Washington monument, the lodge and
boiler house have been maintained in good
condition. There was only one interruption
i'm the running of the elevator during the
month. due to defective gasket in the
main steam pipe. which was promptly re-
paired. But one act OF vandalism was
noticed during the month. Some miscreant
broke on a piece from the handsome silver
work In the block presented by the state Of
Michigan. During the month 12.211 persons
visited the top OF The monument SIS Of
whom went UP by the stairway. making a
total of a'o,6s6 persons who have visited
the top since she shaft was opened to the
public, october .. 1875.
Parks and Reservations.
The parks and reservations received thei-
usual care and attention, and are reported
To be in fine condition. About $1,000 bed
ding and tropica: plants were distributed
among the parks for decorative purposes
thus completing the outdoor planting for
the season. Col Wilson says il is to be re-
GREETED that lack of funds prevents some OF
the smaller reservations south and east Of
the Capitol from receiving as much atten-
ton as they deserve; this is particularly
true OF the reservation ct the intersection
of Massachusetts avenue, LIST street and
Delaware averue. where malicious boys
lave broken the trees and the benches in
jured the fountain by filling the drain pipes
and breaking the jets. and doing more or
less other damage. The nearest government
watchnla.l is located in Stanton Park. sey-
eral blocks distant.
More Funds Wanted.
There are number of unimproved reser-
vations west Ct the Capitol and north of
Pennsylvania avenue" says Col. Wilson.
which from their prominent positions
want and demand immediate Improvement.
Owing 10 the lack of funds and reduced ap-
preparations nothing could be done to beau
tify them during the past year, and il
seems evident that the funds available for
the present fiscal year will hardly be suffi-
cient TO maintain in good order the reser-
vations already improved. Special appro-
priations have been requested and plans
prepared for handsome improvements at
the reservation at the southeast corner of
Pennsylvania avenue and 18th street for
Howard University reservation and for the
reservation which will be known as Ham
cock Place, corner of Pennsylvania avenue
and 9Th street. The first mentioned reser-
walton is eyesore TO its surroundings
and Is the resort of IDLE persons. Its prom
inence demands It's Improvement and /
earnestly hope that the necessary appro-
rrtation may be made AT an early day."