Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-25
WHITE HOUSE AND WATER
EARNEST SENTIMENTS OF FORMER
DELEGATE n. O. MURPHY.
Urges That Congress No Longer
Withhold n Liberal ApprOpria-
ton for Filterfng Plant.

There are two items of appropriation
which Congress might make this session,
which in one instance would be applauded
by the people at large, and in the other
by the entire population Of the District to
man, and they are an adequate sum for
rcmodeled Executive Mansion, and at least
$'0c.OO0 for filtering and purifying plant
worthy of Washington" said Gov. N. o.
Murphy of Arizona, and formerly delegate
to Congress, TO a Star reporter this morn
Ing.
The receptions at the White House dur
ing the centennial celebration recently were
object lessons to every member and sena-
tor who attended, and ought to exert a
potential influence in this important matter
Inc rooms were not large enough to ac-
commodate comfortably one-half Of the
guests, while at luncheon the men stood
three and four deep around the table,
Sentiment FavOrs Liberal Expendi-
ture.
Il am positive that it is the wish of our
people that Washington have a residence
for their chief executive which more &C
cords with the dignity of his high position,
the beauty Of the capital and the wealth
and magnitude of the nation. Threadbare
economy should not be permitted to enter
into this question. All Washingtonians will
recall the opposition from some quarters
against what was considered too extrava-
CANT az preparation for the new library
building, which Is now the pride Of every
citizen, and none regrets Its cost.
The present building is scarcely adequate
for official business but is susceptible. as
was shown by the fine cuts displayed in
The Star recently, Of being remodeled In a
style both classic and in accordance with
the colonial traditions attaching to this his
toric white pile. The ultimate design Is a
matter OF future arrangement and decision
1t cannot be expected, of course. that
there would be a unanimity of opinion upon
the location Of the Presidents house. Per-
sonally, consider the present site the prop
er one and would surmise that the propo-
siton to separate the incumbent from the
building which has always been both Office
and house would not prove popular
that against the change.
Palaces in Other Cities.
1T would seem to me that no more de-
sirable place for residence could be select
ed. The time-honored, almost sacred asso-
Citations Of former Presidents with the
White House, to say nothing of other in
fluential reasons, would, l think, be suffi-
cient to negative the idea Of a brand-new
dwelling in a brand-new quarter Of the city.
The view south over the lovely lawns, flow
gardens and fountains Of the mansion,
and the grounds of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition. extending for miles down the ro-
mantle Potomac and embracing the hills
of Maryland and Virginia. is justly consid-
cred beautiful
st James palace, the Marlborough House
and Buckingham palace, the official and
royal residences in London, are but short
step from Trafalgar Square In the very
heart of that city. Emperor Williams pal
ace in Berlin; the Elysee, the residence of
the president of France in Paris; the palace
OF the Hapsburgs in Vienna, the winter pal
ace OF the car in st. Petersburg, the Kren-
lin In Mascow. are all situated in the very
heart Of their respective capitals. l can
not bring myself to the belief that a propo-
s!tion to make Office Of the White House
and locate the dwelling Of the President in
another part Of town, necessitating his 60
ing to and fro every day, would meet with
general approval.
Pure Water Demanded.
GAS a former delegate to Congress and
now frequent visitor to the capital, l fully
coincide with the proposition advocated by
The Star for immediate and permanent
Improvement Of the quality Of the drinking
water. and to that end l consider that a
suitable sum. say Of at least 10000, be
appropriated for an adequate plant for fl
tration and publication Bearing in mind
the great attainment of securing clear,
sparkling water, this sum Is ridiculously
small. If Philadelphia can afford to spend
81, 100000 in one lump sum, and New York
as muCn every year LOT years Tor fresh,
pure water, surely Congress ought not to
hesitate to give the nations capital the
show water system and filtering plant Of
the country.
THE irresoute and negative position as
sumed by the legislative power session af-
ter session on this highly potential matter
has always been source of wonderment
to me, 1t must be to others They say,
however, that great reforms come slowly,
but when they do come they are usually
very sweeping Reasoning thus perhaps
when the appropriation Is actually up be-
fore the House the citizens Of Washington
may exert sufficient pressure to secure what
they want. II $5OOOO0 can be appropriated
for the dredging of some obscure little
river that ever heard Of except the
people who live along its banks, l say that
100000 would be an adequate amount for
a perfect publication plant, If 1t should be
demonstrated that that We're neces-
sary. and II I were in Congress any meas
ure looking to the fruition Of the peoples
hopes would have my hearty support.
THE people of the District are obliged to
look to Congress for relief, and 1t would
seem to any reasonable man that that body
cannot further postpone the consideration
of question Of such vital interest to the
residents Of the District especially now
that winter is here and the muddy condi-
ton Of the water ought to be perpetual
reminder to the members as they see 1t
ward the needs Of the city and District is
more liberal than in former years, as in
my talks with different members 1 find
them favoraby inclined toward the meas
ures of local Importance"