The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-08
WHITE HOUSE REPAIRS
Statement Of Operations on Pub
lie Grounds and Buildings.
PLANTS In THE CITY PARKS
Col. Bingham's Report to the War
Depa Fifteen Thou
sand People Assembled to the AIOnu-
ment Top In Apru-About $500
Tramped the Distance.

Col. III A Bingham, in his report to tue
War Department of operations upon public
buildings and grounds, says, in regard to
the Executive Mansion
"a thorough examination was made OF
the plumbing, drainage, and sewerage sys-
TENS, minor repairs made as required, and
five sewer traps were walled around with
cement concrete, three of them covered
| with stone BIS, and two with iron frames
and covers to be easily accessible Exten-
sive repairs We're made to the tin roof
covering. All the old tin was removed
from the cutters and for a distance of
about eight feet up the slope of the roof
with the exception of that portion over
the north portico which was found in good
condiCion) and replaced with new tin and
the entire roof reprinted.
"A portion of the old sheathing where
found to be rotten was replaces with new
boards. Thirty-seven hundred square feet
Of new tin was placed on the roof.
The walls OF the northwest bedroom
were repapered and the ceiling frescocd.
the walls and ceiling of tie north west
dressing-roOm adjoining, were Tepapcred
and the cornice tinted. The wooG work in
both rooms was reprinted, and both apart
mentS reCarpeted and furnished with new
lace and silk drapery curtains at the win
dows. The usual care was extended TO the
large and valuable collection OF plants in
the conservatory and greenhouses, the
propagation, of bedding, winter Towering
and ornamental greenhouse plants was
continued, and a large number OF plants
reFotted. -
Concerning the Washington Monument
Col. Bingham said: The monument and
its machinery have been maintained in
good order; the elevator and its machinery
were inspected April 10, and reported 70
be in good aud safe condition.
During April there were 1881 Wis
tors to the top Of the monument, OF which
10, 270 made the ascent by the ele-
vator and 4,611 by the stairway, max
ing a total of ,3S6,06S persons who
have visited the top since the shaft WAS
opened to the public, on October .,
1883.
The grounds within the iron fence
around the Executive Mansion have been
maintained in good order. In the grounds,
known as the Presidents Park, south OF
the iron fence around the Executive Man
sion, have been properly maintained. A
quantity of oyeTgrow n and mSightly shrubs
were taken up and removed, and 164 as
sorted Towering shrubs, and three de-
Ciduous trees were planted.
At the greenhouses and nursery the
propagation of different varieties " tropi-
cal and sub-tropicaI pla hts for spring plant
ing in the public grounds, was continued.
Between July l, 1896. and April 80,
1897, 4S9,475 plants, in PAS varieties,
have been pTopagated for this seasons
planting"
The report states that Washington MOnu-
ment Park, smithsonian, Henry, and Seatoa
Parks were maintained in a neat condition
during the month.
Five new flower beds were made in
Henry Park, and a plank walk, $50 feet
long, and feet wide, was laid in Seaton
Park. One hundred and three shrubs and
seventeen trees were planted in the north
east part of the Monument Grounds The
reservations are all in good order, and
water has been turned on in the parks