Evening star., 1896-09-26

so bold as to remove one of the small gilded
rcsettes forming part of the decosation of
one of the mantels, but probably the bold
est act of this KIND was the removal of
small section Of the decorated wall itself
near cne of the columns. This decoration
had been done at great expense during
President Arthur's time, and 1t cost $23 to
repair the damage: 1t was necessary to
send to New York for an artisan to do the
work. Near the close of President Harri-
sons administration some malicious ind!-
v.dual siashed the back of q sofa in the
green room. About ten years ago some one
IL a crowd stole a PLAGUE from the red
p1rlor. and year or so later brass rod on
the andiron in the same parlor was surrep-
;itiousy removed.
Well Behaved Visitors.
Col. John NJ. Wilson of the Engineer
Corps. who has the special care Of the
White House, in his capacity Of commits
sioner of public buildings and grounds,
thinks it sreaks we'll for the behavior of
the many thousands of visitors who have
haAalmost unrestricted freedom in the par
iors OF the Executive Mansion that there
have been so very few depredations there of
any X md. His reports show that every eff
fort IS made to maintain the mansion and
its furnishings in good condition and the
measure of success is demonstrated by the
neat and tidy appearance Of every portion
of the premises inside and out, at all times
ard under all conditions.
A Star reporter had talk with Colonel
Wilson today and learned several interest
ing things about the " White House furniture.
For instance, the average life of the car
pets In the public parlors is about six years,
and arrangements are now in progress to
replace the carpets in the east room, the
main corridor on the first floor and the
Presidents library, each of which has been
IN use fer that period of tine. The new
carpets have been purchased and are now
lying in huge bundles on the floor of the
\ = a n iJ,sy 'Sn,r o1 no nj oaI
il position a few days before the President
and Mrs. Cleveland resume their residence
at the White House for the winter. The
present impression is that this will not oc-
cur before the 18th OF November, and pos
slbiy not until December l. it being under
stood that in case the presidential family
return to the city from Gray Gables before
TIE dates named, that they will spend the
interval at their country place at Woodlev.
Many Yards of Carpet.
Carpets form a considerable item in the
domestic economy of the mansion. Good
quality is essential, and many yards are re-
quired. The floor space of the east room is
40 yards, that of the main corridor, 80
yards. and that of the library, 147 yards.
OF the discarded carpets the one in the
east room has been in for six years,
that in the corridor for seven years, and
| that in the library for ten years. In ac-
cordance with custom, they will be sold at
| public auction, and will probably realize
about half their original cost. The proceeds
are covered into the treasury, and the gov
ernment is the gamer to that extent. The
| carpets bring good prices in the market
| mainly because of the sentiment attaching
| to them. The new carpets cost at the rate of
| $.3I12 yard,and the total cost of the carpet
/ for the east room was $3.50 This figure in
| cludes the expense of making, lining and
| laying. The new carpet has velvet sur
| face of the color of old gold to match the
| furniture, and has flowers and other orna-
| mentation of a darker buff tint. 1t Is said
| TO be more attractive carpet than the
| Administer carpet that has done such good
! service in the east room for the past six
| years. AS IS well known, the carpets are
| used only in the winter time when the
| Presidents family is at home.
| When they go away in the summer the
! entire house is thoroughly overhauled and
| renovated. The carpets are taken up, the
window hangngs removed. the sofas and
| chairs covered and the hric-a-brac is care
| fully stored. The chandeliers are taken
! down and cleaned, piece by piece, and then
| put back and covered, a job occupying the
| full time of four men for about thirty days.
| Until the carpets are relald In the winter.
| the floors of the parlors are covered with
mating, and some of the halls with oil
| cloth.
| Strengthening the Floors.
Excepting possibly the stone at the main
| doorway, the mating on the stairs leading
| to the offices the second floor shows
| more signs Of use than any other portion of
| the house. The tiling in the main lobby
also suffers considerably from the shuffling
of many feet. and has to be repaired every
year. At evening receptions crash Is placed
! ever the line of travel and the wear and
tear Oh the carpets is reduced to mini
| mum. During President Arthur's adminis-
| ration the guests We're invited to take re-
| freshments on the second floor. This devel-
| oped the struct tural weakness of the build
| ing, and 1t became necessary to strengthen
the supports of that portion Of the building
The additional weight broke several of the
| beams and caused the floors to sag. More
recently the constant congregation OF
crowds on the first floor near the foot of the
private stairway, to witness the first ap
pearance of the presidential party, disclosed
a defect in the supporting beams, and re
pairs were again made necessary.
In this connection it is pertinent to recall
the fact that Colonel Wilson has repeatedly
called attention to the inadequacy of tbs
present quarters of the chief magistrate o.
the nation.
Il earnestly recommend" he says in hi:
last annual report, that an appropriation
of $2.O,ODD be made for the erection, within
the Executive Mansion grounds and direc tly
opposite the treasury building, Of granite
structure for offices for the chief executive
| of the nation.
This structure could he connected by
wide corridor with a large conservatory
fitted up as a winter garden with ropica
plants. fountains and statues of eminen
| Americans, tIlt cOISel Codiu opcl III
| to picture gallery connected by two wild
corridors with the east room, and these i'm
| provements could serve a double purpose b.
relieving the mansion of the terrible crust
| incident to the evening official receptions.
| II earnestly hope that this importan
matter may no longer be delayed, and tina
| action may be taken at the approachin.
session of Congress toward erecting a suit
able office building for the President of tn
United Stetes.''