The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-06
FIXING Up CAPITAL
Many Improvements Being
Made at Washington.
JOE CANNON WAS EASY
Allowed Over Half a Million
for White House Alone.

closing hours of congress the Union rail-
way station, the hall of records. the Me-
mortal bridge and a number of other pub
lie improvements have been voted down
which were hoped for as initiative of the
new plans for beautifying the capital
city, a tidy little lot remain.
First and most important, there is the
renovated White House, with a total ap-
preparation of s540,641. Of this amount
s475,445 goes for the Extraordinary re-
pairs" alterations and additions" dec
| Grafton" @refurnishing' and the Ikea
/ very fair sum when it is remembered that
| the original demand for 100000 was re-
garded as doubtful of passage because of
Uncle Joe" Cannon's opposition to ev-
erything artistic. When the crucial mo-
ment came Mr.. Cannon insisted upon
knowing, not how much could be pared
off the proposed appropriation, but how
much could be asked for with absolute
assurance that he would not be troubled
| with calls for any more for the same
job. When the figures were footed up
and he received a pledge from the experts
that the total named would answer he
simply put into the paragraph line re-
quiring that the work should be complet-
| ed in every detail within the sum hereby
appropriated, and signed his name to the
| report.
| 1t was the same way with the remain
| is the appropriation for the Office building
der of the sum first named, 500, 1876. This
for the president which at first appeared
as $4,000 for temporary two-story house
| thrown together so as to last till more
fitting accommodations could be prepared
In big monumental structure. When it
was suggested that the old furniture of
present White House offices would look
out of place in the shiny new quarters,
$4,000 was added to buy some modern
desks and chairs and carpets. Again Mr.
Cannon came in with his inquiries about
the amount needed to bring the whole ex-
penditure within one appropriation in
stead of leaving any odds and ends for a
deficiency bill When the outside figures
were given him he wanted to know
| whether any provision had ben made for
the possibility that some future president
might ned a third story. He was assured
| that before that time arrived there would
| be a more ambitious building somewhere
| for the housing OF the chief magistrates
clerical force. With a shake of the head
which meant Not if 1 know it," he re-
marked that he thought I'VE had better
have those walls strengthened so as to
| provide against all contingencies, and
clapped on another $4,000 or so. The idea
that the eminent architects who will have
/ the supervision of this work are in the
habit Of building walls too weak to stand
the strain of three stories aroused smile
of amusement in the circle with whom he
was talking, but getting the much dread
ed watch dog into this generous mood
was sodelcious an experience that no.
body cared to tamper with it, and he had
his way.
To set at rest many Inquiries. it should
be said Just here that the plans for the
changes in the exterior appearance Of the
White House are noteworthy, but in no
wise radical. The Conservatives and
J greenhouses, which now stretch out from
the side of the main building to the west.
but constitute no part Of 1t, will give way
to a marble terrace leading to the Office
building at the further end. This viii be
a restoration. TO all intents.of something
of which rudimentary relics and traces
are found in the stratum of an earlier
presidential era-the office building itself.
for instance. being>as nearly as possible
where Jefferson had his. The terrace,
which will probably be decorated with
palms and Towering plants. and to that
extent continue the idea OF a conserva-
tory. will be upheld by pillars the low
er side, forming a covered way for reach
ing the basement Of the Office building
from the basement OF the White House.
From the east side. to symetrize this
structure. viii run another marble ter
race leading TO a portecochere. where
guests may alight from their carriages
and proceed to the assembly rooms on So
ciaI occasions a considerable sum in
Guided in the general appropriation for
the White House was added for the two
terraces. which were. strictly speaking.
an afterthought-
( For the improvement OF the lower end
OF the eastern branch pr the Potomac
otherwise known as Anacostia creek.
there is an appropriation Of $4,000, Tn
doubtedly no small amount Of credit for
this is due to the fact that the new war
college is to be placed where It vii get
ali the benefit. good or H. Of the condi-
fulton Of this estuary. II the latter is
lett 4 uldtdIl4 hEttuillk StAtalAls ALr mower
Of the army VIII suffer II II is made
healthful. the officers VIII thrive accord |
ingly The Improvement Of the mouth 1
now win mean the early improvement Of
the creek higher up. and the hrsgsteps to
wards the coming water park VIII have !
ben taken.
Analogous TO this is an appropriation Of I
s7oeoo for the Improvement OF the Poto- /
mac fats. incidental to a scheme for ex-
tending Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets /
southwark. This work viii be under the /
care Of Colonel Bingham. the superin- /
tsndent Of public buildings and grounds |
hut vii be made 70 correspond. in the /
main. with the plans OF the Durham !
commission.
Finally. Of the important projects. /
there remains the $500 appropriation Tor !
the plans and location OF The Lincoln ne /
mortal. Mention was made In this cor
rsspondence the other Day OF progress /
already towards the settlement q the
main questions affecting the memorial. |
Enoush Of the members OF TIE committee /
appointed 20 report on II have agreed 4
upon the site. 70 insure the selection q 4
the point where the line continuing the 4
axis - the capitol through the wash I
ingron monument would touch the Poto-
mac river bank There xfIi doubtless BE 4
little difficulty IN selecting the plans
This e s pretty good beginning for the
realization Of LEafsn.'s dream of City