Evening star., 1897-05-18
TO ENLARGE WHITE HOUSE
Plans Considered by 0ol Bingham, superin-
tendent Of Public Buildings.
A Quadrangular Building Provided
Center-Mrs. Harrison's Idea.

In view Of an increasing interest among
Congressman in the matter of building a
new White House or enlarging It, Star
reporter today talked with Col. Theodore
A. Bingham, superintendent Of public build
ings and grounds.
Col. Bingham has not been called upon
officially for his views or for plans, but he
Is much interested, having had the ques-
ton broached to him by senators and rep
resentatives whose visits to the White
House have been so numerous as to call
to their attention the needs of more build
ings and more conveniences. Col. Bingham
is as deeply interested as his predecessor
Gen. ]. M. Wilson, and that is saying great
deal. for it was one Of the desires of Gen.
Wilson to See the White House grounds
ornamented with new buildings.
In thinking over the subject, the outlines
OF several plans have come to the mind of
Gel. Bingham. but he looks with favor up
on plans made during the life of Mrs Har-
rison and when she lived in the White
House. Mrs. Harrison, as is we'll known
had fully matured ideas of what ought 10
be done. She became so much interested
that plans for an enlargement of the White
House were drawn and submitted to her.
Copies OF these found their way to the
Offices of the superintendent of public build
ings and grounds and were preserved.
Because of its history Mrs. Harrison was
wanted the present building to stand and
to be enlarged. That is also the idea Of
Col. Bingham. Not only because of it's his
tory, but because it is soiidly built and can
be maintained for centuries, Col. Bingham
thinks the present building ought to stand.
If officially called upon to present plans
and estimates Col. Binghams ideas might
change somewhat, but the plans he now
looks upon with favor provide for a mag
nifcent quadrangular building. with beau
tiful court in the center, a building which
would compare favorably with any in
Europe. The present building would not
be touched. 1t would be the front of the
new building. The green houses would be
moved from the west of the White House
to the south, forming the southern part of
the new building. They would be SO placed
as to not disturb the southern view. On
the west side, where the green houses now
stand, would be erected wing fronting
the three departments. This wing would
somewhat resemble the present building
and would be known as the official wing"
Similarly placed, on the east side, would be
another wing. The wings would be con-
nected to the main building by quarter
circle corridors. These corridors would be
suitable for statues and works of
art. Quarter circle corridors would al
so connect the south ends of the wings
with the green houses. In the center of
this arrangement, as has been stated,
would be beautiful court.
On the whole the plan preserves the sim
pie style of architecture so prominent in
the hite House The old building would be-
come the residence portion, the home Of
the chief executive. not to be disturbed
by the public and as private as the home
of any citizen. The west wing, in addi-
ton to executive offices and all the rooms
necessary in that line. would contain par
lors for senator's and representatives and a
grand reception room for the diplomatic
corps The east wing could be turned to
a number of purposes. 1t could be turned
into library or an art room The Presi-
dent has practically no library at his dis
posa1.
Col. Bingham has not figured on the cost
of the projected enlargement. He thinks
that II Congress was not disposed to make
an appropriation for the entire work at one
time. 1t could make the appropriations as
the work progressed, thus dividing the cost
by years An estimate Of the cost could
not be made without taking into consider
alton whether the additions should be of
marble OF granite. The present white House
Is of sandstone.