The times., 1898-12-12
A NEW EXECUTIVE MANSION.
plans for n Magnificent Structure
Submitted to COngre


An interesting pamphlet, containing IL
Illustrations and designs for new Execu-
live Mansion and memorial on the SUD-
ject by Mary Foote Henderson, has beer.
submitted to Congress. The plans and
pictures are by Paul ]. Pelz. who was for
merly associated with Col. Smithmeyer, the
architect of the Georgetown University
and the new Congressional Library.
Miss Henderson calls attention to the in
adequacy of the present White House,
designed hundred years ago for Teop c
numbering three or four millions. 1t is.
she says a crowded business building, I'M
fit for family residence and wholly un-
,eoual to the social demands OF the age
The guests of the President of the United
States enter and depart in muiti,udes
through single doors and often through
the windows, and 1t is not too much 10
say that the crushes at White House re-
ceptions sometimes approach too near the
border line of the disgracefui.
In a slight history of the development
of the present movement Mss Henderson
says that an Executive Mansion on Meri-
ihe new structure. was the cherished
scheme OF Senator Foot of Vermont, a
generation ago. She visited the isite sew
eral times and often heard mis- enthusiast
tic expressions regarding IL Two years
ago she found an unexpected ally in Mr..
Pelz, who was as enthusiastic as her
self and they soon decided that they
should at least see the scheme on paper.
The southern boundary OF the proposed
site came at first only as FAR as Florida
Avenue. but in order to secure "a better
view of the buildings and grounds on the
near approach from the csty there was
added the rectangle between Fifteenth
and Sixteenth Streets and Boundary and
U Streets The site extended north as far
as Huron Street and the plan includes en-
frances on Fourteenth and Sixteenth
Sweets
The grounds embraced in the plan in
clude fifty-two acres. Among the advan-
tages claimed for II are drainage. cooler
temperature in Summer and a beautiful
and commanding site. From the crest of
Meridian Hill one has panoramic view OF
the entire city.
Directly in front. to the south is the
Washington Monument, with the blue
| hills of Virginia beyond. Miss Henderson
urges that the Government should cheer
fully invest the price of single battle
ship for an Executive Mansion compatible
with the dignity and wealth of the nation.
The style of the design submitted is the
American adapts ton of the Roman clas-
sic. as first evolved in the Capitol, the
general Post Office building in Seventh
Street and more recently In the Congress
sional Library. The material is white
marble. In the interior arrangements the
traditions of the present structure arc
followed out. The state apartments oc-
cupy the east wing and the private apart
ments the west wing. On the top OF the
arm connecting the two wings is root
garden commanding the views previously
mentioned.
1t is intended for the private use of the
Presidential family. At the back of the
building Is an open square surrounded by
a succession of conservatories of a design
not less beautiful than the mansion itself
These conservatories are strengthened at
the northern end by huge glass build
| ing. complete. detailed description OF
| the proposed structure is contained in the
pamphlet