Arizona silver belt., 1900-11-08
ENLARGING WHITE HOUSE.
The Plans of the Late Mrs. Harrison
 Will Probably Be Adopted.


 presidential election, the commis' sion authorized at the last session of congress to consider the ques- ton of enlarging the official residence of the chief executive has decided to recommend the plans originally sug- gested by the late Mrs Benjamin liar rison.
 The report of the commission Is practically completed, and the draw iugs have been penciled out, so that the result of its deliberations will be ready for presentation to the commit tee on public buildings and grounds when congress convenes in December. Accompanying the report will be n plaster model of the present building and the proposed extension, which will be finished in time to be exhibited at the Washington Centennial celebration in this city on December '.
 The work of the commission was not accomplished without considerable out side opposition, notably from certain architects, anxious to supply designs for the extension of the historic man sion.
 There is another element of opposi- ton which threatens to make itself felt when the question of appropriations comes before congress. It Is combln- ation of citizens who own desirable property on Washington Heights at the head of Connecticut avenue aad Sixteenth street, who are anxious to have the official residence of the presi- dent permanently located Tn thst vlcih- ity. It is not new idea to separate the executive office from the presidents official home, and many influenthl per sons are interested in trying to bring 1t about
 It Is not likely, however, thai thls generation will witness a change of the presidents official residence frCm its present location. There IS no do lDt of the necessity for. more liberal accom- modations for the president, his family and his official staff The subject has been agitated for several years aud the concensus of opinion seems to be III favor of enlarging the present bnilding and preserving the outlines of the or iginal structure.
 Mrs. Harrison gave much eonsidera- ton and time to this subject She sug- gested that the architectural beauty and symmery of the present building would not be marred by preserving 1t intact aud extending its wings to the east and west, thus affording ample ac commodations for the constantly in- creasing force of executive clerks and the much needed facilities for the so- cial and domestic portion of the man sion
 While Mir Harrison was president he declared that the space in the White House was so limited that the occupant was apt to experience such sensations and inconvenience as merchant who lived over his shop.
 Notwithstanding the numerous draw backs and discomfitures of living Tn the White House in its present con diron." said Mr. Harrison, do not believe there is any lady in the land who happens to be member of the presidential family who would not cheerfully encounter many little incon- veniences rather than reside beyond the atmosphere of historical events and and associations which cluster so thickly around this old house, beautI. iul in its simplicity.
 The report the commission has adopted, with slight modification in re- gard to detail, will be known as Mrs. Harrison's plan It contemplates the | construction of an east and west wing | of steel and white marble, with all the i modern improvements.
 The east wing will be devoted to the | executive force and furnish better ac- | commodations for official functions.
 The west wing will contain large | state dining room, capable of seating a hundred guests. The present state dining room Is crowded beyond com fort with fifty guests at table, and in recent years it has been the practice to serve state dinners in the main corri- dor on tn first floor
 The second floor. of the west wing will supply additional living accommo- dations for the president and his fam fly and there will be private entrance from the west so that official functions will not, as now, be retarded by the appearance at the front door of the garbage man, The grocer or the hutabpr IaIty.Yt,tf, tha a.p,ootin