Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-20
New Presidents House Needed.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
referring to the article in your issue Of
Saturday, captioned White House Plans. -
in which it is stated that Col Bingham.
superintendent Of public buildings and
grounds, by request of Senator CulIom. is
making an estimate of the cost of a sujt-
able addition to the White House, and IT
is now believed by many officials that the
prospects of an enlargement of the Execu-
tive Mansion are better than ever before -"
permit me to suggest through your columns
that Congress at its next session should
make an appropriation to purchase suffi-
Gent ground a the head Of 18th street, OPP
poslte Gen. Henderson's residence for the
purpose Of building there a modern resi-
dence for the President, leaving the present
mansion as it is for office purposes
During the last absence of President and
Mrs Mckinley / was permitted to go
through the rooms. and was astOnished to
note the great space devoted to office pur-
poses and the little space to family use
The executive clerks are packed in one
large room as sardines are packed in boxes.
or course the American people are not
aware of it. but 1t is a national disgrace
to have the President Of the greatest and
"eaIthiest nation on earth live in such
rookefy. All over the country there are
men who do not call themselves wealthy
who have better residences for their horses
thhn Is provided for our President and his
lth4i4S- he people VINO WISH the Executive
Mansion see only the east room and go
away with the impression that the Presi-
dent has a beautiful residence. If they
Could see its detective plumbing and other
dehciencies, and realize that The Presidents
iaIltiy is constantly exposed to the dangers
OF dyDhtheria and other contagious dis
eases they would not sleep comfortably I'M
w thty knew him to be well housed Ia
dShlngton there are hundreds Of better
residences than the Presidents
Al the Executive Mansion all tho. sraca
upstairs, east Of the entrance, is devoted to
once purposes, and Mr.. CortelyOu, the as
HlStaht secretary to the President; Col
W m ii. Cook diSbursing officer and others
instead of having room to themselves
a. ttiey should have, where their business
could be conducted privately as it should
oe' ore huddIed in with the other executive
ticrhS more closely than people are in th..
departments, and the Lord knows tina,
mere Is not an executive department where,
me employees are not huddled like sheep
II IS no wonder that the floor of the
clerlcal room at the Executive Mansion has
ALREADY sunk a few inches From what
saw When looked the situation over |
"ruld not be surprised at any time to hear
9 qI an accident there similar to that at
forH iheater some years ago Should
Such an accident occur Congress alone win
DC responsible. as it was for every life and
llal!nins at Ford's Theater for the situa-
&c ti on mas a been represented often enough to
nave mad new rdate Executive Man
SION years ago. 1t is probable that the
iFSs Oh senators and representatives, as
ven as the executive clerks, would be in
vowed IN such disaster as they are fire.
quehtly compelled to wait In the ante-room
before they can see the President
Inc secretary of the Navy and commits
sioiier Oh pensions are the only officers of
the government who have proper rooms for
people having business with them to wait
tnelr convenience That ought not so to be
II the assets of the government continl.
10 De greater than it's liabilities Congress
should hrst provide a suitable residence for
the PRESIDENT and afterward for the re-
nova OF Inc buildings from the south side
OF fennsyiVanta avenue and the construc-
toh there OF the buildings absolutely nee
essdfy lor the business of the different de-
partileuts at the present time, to say moth
ING OF the future, thus affording work to
poor ana needy people, instead of purchas-
ing ponds at high rates long before they are
que. Whlch only benefits rich men.
oelleVe that If there is to be favortism
SHOWN any class of the people it should be
to the poor and needy who have no rights
that the rich are bound to respect
Public buildings are needed all over the
&C untry.
1t is to be hoped that Senator Cullom will
request Col. Bingham to estimate the cost
of new Executive Mansion that can never
be called the White House." and recon-
mend TO Congress that ii be built. and that
the edlhce Improperly often so designated
remain as 1t is except for the necessary
repairs, as the Presidents Office.
Nov. 20, 1889. VIM. HOWARD MILLS.
~
A dispatch to the London Daily Mail from
Sydney, N. s, w that n dfSa