Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-01
Will Be a Monument Left by Capital
City's Coming Centennial
DETAILS OF The new MODEL
The Present Building Has Long
Since Been Outgrown.
. n s TO RIG INCID E n T S


Written for The Evening Star.
An expanded White House proportionate
70 the needs of expanded republic WILL
It il safe to predict, be one of the monu-
ments left by the national capital centen-
NAL of December II. new movement to
improve the presidential abode has been
closely linked with the centennial enter
prise, almost from its start. Congress Of
fered its first encoura cement in May by
appropriating 5000 for the preliminary
architectural work. A p.aster model show
ing the proposed Greater White House
in miniature, and series of drawings
showing its construction details are fas'
growing to completion. On the morning of
December 1.-THE centennial day-ihey will
be removed to the Presidents house. Col.
Theo A. Bingham, L. s. A, master of
W bite House ceremonies and engineer Off
Ger in charge of the mansion, will display
them in the presence of the oh eff mag!s-
trate himself, to the governors of the
states. members of Congress and other dis
tinguiShed guests. He and other centenn al
ora tors, there and later at the Capitol. will
draw such vivid contrasts between the cap
ital city of 1900 and that of 1900. the ma
will emphasize the fact that the presi-
dency has outgrown it's official headquar-
ters
Details of New Model.
Every citizen Of the United States will be
a part owner of the enlarged White House.
Hence every American will await the ex-
hibtion of Col. Blngham's model with in
terest. 1t embodies the present White
: House, unaltered and standing out in con-
spicuous relief. Col Bingham combines his
original ideas with Mrs. Harrisons scheme
for an enlarged mansion with wings. Mrs.
HarrisOn's plans, worked out by Mr.. F.
D. Owen, an architect connected with Col.
two h1ri1G d
ings like the old one, but placed at right
angles thereto and connected by colonnades
or wings. The model to be shown at the
White House will include only these con-
!, Meeting wings added to the White House as
it now appears. The larger buildings can be
added at a later date whenever Congress
sees fit. The connecting wings viii be COM
plete in themselves until such future inn
provements are made. Their exterior archi-
lecture. as shown in the model. is in the
form Of colonnades sweeping around to the
rear, with Ionic columns similar to those
that support the main portico. Behind
these may be seen a curved extension of
= the original White House walls. At the ex-
tremity of each colonnade wing will be
shown a new entrance with a port cochere
facing squarely south The wings will be
two stories in height, their columns ex-
tending to the top all around.
New State Dining Room.
The new wings will be divided into various
apartments by temporary partitions, which
may be removed to afford a clear space
when the larger additions are built to COM
= plete Mrs. Harrson's scheme of utilizing
each colonnade wing as passageway, with
central rotunda, for reaching the greater
adjuncts. The extension on the west side
of the new model is designated the of
fetal wing; that the east the public
wing. In the latter and extending from
the east room will be reception room
and ample office apartments connecting with
, those now on the second floor. Provision is
also made for a new circular state dining
sixty feet in diameter in the west or
official wing" On the second floor of this
Will he provided five additional bed rooms.
None Too Large for Adams.
The White House of 1900 is no larger
than that of 1900, although Washington es-
pecially designed it to be enlarged from
time to time. When John Adams moved in
century ago it was none too large for his
needs Mrs. Adams said that it was very
well proportional to the Presidents salary"
then So 900 year, or half that which mod
Presidents need in dispensing executive
hospitality. the demands upon which have
more than doubled within the past century.
At his state functions Adams received but
thirty-two senators, whereas William Nc
Kiney must be host to ninety. The apart
ments in which were entertained but 1o5
representatives in 1880 must now hold 3.6
at White House receptions. The cabinet,
now with eight members, then had but five.
The diplomatic corps was a small handful
of foreigners. Adams could entertain his
entire Senate and cabinet together in the
state dining room, built to accommodate
but forty guests. Today President Mckin-
ley must abandon this we.l-ligh.ed room in
tended for state feasts. He must spread
his board in a long. narrow corridor running
east and west through the center of the
building. This has windows. Ladies in
evening dress cannot escape the chilling
draughts issuing from doorways opening
. upon them in every direction. In Adams
time all officials in Washington could gather
in the White House, forming large family
party. each having an opportunity to chat
with him. AT President Mckinley's recep-
tions entering guests must proceed by way
OF his private dining room to avoid conflict
with those departing, who are dismissed
through one Of the front windows on IN