Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
WHITE HOUSE REPAIRS
Many Changes That the Wis
itor Does Not See.
A BIG UN DERT AKIN G
BUILDING HAS BEEN STRENGTH
ENED AND REMoDELED.
More Convenient in Every Way and
Better Suited for
A BIG UN DERT AKIN G

Tho contractors IL. the rehabilitation and
enhancement of the y mite House have COM
pleteG their VOL, unless it be that there
are q few minor things remaining undone
because of the weaUheI. All the little build
iugs that were erected for the superintend-
ent of the workins zee and as paint and
other shops have been torn down the
grounds have as.,----o.- me shape that was
intended by Architect .uckim of New YORK,
who planned all the alterations and add1-
tons The interior work was practically
finished in time for the New Year reception
and little has been done since then Some
slight changes may be made hereafter TO
meet the desires of the President or OF
Mrs. Roosevelt, but. altogether, the build
ing may be spoken of as finished Only
short time ago the public was admltted 10
the new east room to look it over and crlti-
else as the people saw fit; some to admire
and others to express regret at tne changes
that have been made The blue, green ana
red rooms are regarded as private parlors
and the old north door as the family en-
trance, so that comparatively few people
admitted to these rooms. This is done
upon special order, at the requests of in
fuential people. and between II and 1
O'Clock each day is the time when these
visits are made on cards issued by Secre-
tary Cortelyou.
The changes in the interior are consider
able. The blue. green and red parlors re-
tain their old size. although completely re-
furnished and refitted The most material
change was in the state dining room, which
was so enlarged as to take in the entire
hallway in the west portion. The room is
now of such size that the Presidents din
ners may be given there with comfort to
large number of guests This room has
been elegantly done over In English oak
with paneled floors. The state dinners given
SO far this year have been most satisfac-
tory. and the President has entertained a
greater number Of people at the dinners
than ever attempted before in the room
During past administrations the state din
ing room was so small that most Of the
state dinners where as many sixty peo-
pie were invited, were given in the old hall
way This hallway has been so much
changed that it would hardly be recog-
rized by those who remember it in years
gone by. The colored glass partition that
formed the north side Of the hallway and
separated the vestibule from the hallway
has been taken out, and the vestlbule now
opens Immediately into the hallway and
the three parlors
Mr.. S. f. French, who superintendent the
work for Norcross Bros the contractors
says that much important work was done
throughout the building that makes no
showing to the eye of the visitor. This
work added greatly to the cost. In speak
ing of what has been accomplished Mr..
French told Star reporter:
Strengthening the Floors.
very much has been done in and about
the house that none has any idea of except
those Immediately connected with it. The
first thing to be done-and a very essential
thing-was the reconstruction of the floors
or the east room. green room, blue room.
red room and state dining room. as well as
the second floor over the east room. These
floors had become so weak that on occa-
sions where there were large gatherings
temporary posts had to be put in the base
ment 20 keep the floors from sagging Ard
perhaps collapsing. In place of these old
floors new iron-constructed floors have been
put In. These are OF fifteen and twenty
inch iron beams. with terra Gotta fire
proof1ing between making a thoroughly
safe and substantial floor for any weight
that could ever under any circumstar ces
be brought TO bear upon it. And large
numbers of people walking ove.. these
floors will no longer feel the spring anC