The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-05
WHITE House IMPROVEMENTS.
lmons Them Ia . Room where the President
Can Take n Quiet Smoke.

Can Take n Quiet Smoke
From the Tashfnoton Post.
The uncertainty as to the exact date of the
Presidents return to tho city Is such that no
preparations have been made toward putting
tho White House in order to receive its dis
t!ngu,shet guests after their summer vacation
Ia ended Carpets are up. curtains and tapestries
are down. and the interior rooms OF the mansion
present tho same Appearance to-day as when. q
short while after Mr.. Mckinley left the city,
all the decorations were removed and packed
away for the nmmcr. There will be no attempt
at housekeeping until word is received from
the President.
Just when the Chief Executive will decide 10
return TO Washington lie mere conjecture at
present. 1t wall NOT require many days to pre-
pare for his Homecoming. however. and as tho
Whtts House authorities are anxious that he
shall find everything fresh and clean, they will
not put down carpets and arrange tho furniture
until the last possible moment.
Wien the President returns he will find but
few alterations In his adopted home. Probably
the most important Improvement that has been
The floors Of the record offices. situated just over
the historic East Room. A new floor has been
put In extending from floor 10 roo, When en-
ins.' tn.n.s " so "a I'M n M SesSTss q the public build.
had aettled several inches. and that stops must
be t'kon to strenEthen thoin AT onrs.
wciGht Of documents that have accumulated in
the Est Few yoars, n'akinG n burden too heavy
Gen, Bingham was IN a quandary as 10 the besr
way OF rerfifyins the dangerous co ndttion With
out damaging The vslnhhle ceiling Of the East
from :ho ROO o. h" house by mcnns Of iron rodss
ana thus cnrctn",ly add to their strength, at
the cfnrcss!on.
m AHh9t to tn ,m roa,yerf "T snd one TIA, VII add
the ntting. out o. a handsome smoking room o ns
the main floor "f the White House. The amused
sntr,room, Immediately 70 tho right Of the main
h..cco chamber, where tho fraEr mt weed may
he enjoycd in comfort, and seclusion, II desired.
or furnishing IS now antique Flemish, a 4. 6Ie,
chairs. and benches OF handsomely carved black
s aH"I' f" "''fF ~%''s & 'er rss'i mnn. eiiin tSiy! !si S pTin;
the furniture. h.s been placed in position and a
NThs ' L. n"s.ry '% .T,d a c %iTn nr9 Socoro.,o,. ,,u
been chrrg"d so as. 10 conform to the general
styis followed IN inrnishInF, the room. The
fnlIy seven, feet from 'hs floor. Above thss
rt "pcStrS1 r. ne "S caii, %r9 4sn :, tn nsS.tif1l blnc
while the floor IS polished and stainei in hVack''
Al,9Esther the room !. ono OF tho prett!est IN IN
NE third Improvement, made in tho mansion
!. an electric elevator, which has been snbsti,
gone service for 80 many years past. The nav
~ is one or Tho latest improved pattern. and IA
absolutely SAT-, TIE operation Of The co op
ig very s'lnple. Two large buttons are
placed near the door. convenient IN tho
ororHtor. To start. stop. and lower Inc
si"yotor T. Is only necessary to push The
puttnhs aIierha,clS Ihe machinery il so simnie
Ley himself might operste 1t with utmost esse
me motors, and electrical propelling apparatus
Aside from III" alterations already descrihed
very little work has been done ON ina hnms.,
have hcrn applied wherever needed The n nnS
SION l. ~ EXCELLENT condition. however. and
Tithi,,m io% days could be placed in readiness