The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-18
IT COSTS MR.. ROOSEVELT.



white House Dignity.
Washington Letter.
President Roosevelt is doing more pri-
vate entertaining than any OF his prede-
cessors. Somebody dimes as the guest OF
the President every day. The official din
ners are OF unusual elegance and taste. as
becomes the occupant OF the White House.
There has been no indication of extraya-
gances or ostentation in any OF the func-
tons. The most and least that can be said
Is that the President is splendidly main
tanning In social way the dignity of his
office. To do this. he will leave the office
poorer than when he entered it.
Everybody in Washington thoroughly APP
preciates the fact that the salary of $4,000
year and the $4,000 allowed for contin-
gent expenses do not meet the necessary
expenses OF the White House. the stables
and the Executive office. The people OF
means who live at about the same social
pace as the President and his family are
compelled TO live by reason OF the demands
winch custom as well as propriety make,
never fail 20 comment on the financial bur-
poses.
Contrary to the popular impression. Pres
loent Hayes spent more money than anyone
who ever occupied the White House. Presi-
Gent aayes served refreshments at all his
receptions. The cost OF feeding the multi
rude which forces its way into the four
formal receptions each year and the innum-
eraoie cara receptions is an item which only
hotel arrangements can appreciate, for no
FAMILY In private life has ever had TO
perience H. President Hayes served no
wines, because Mrs. Hayes planted herself
firmly on the temperance question. No ac-
curate statistics have been kept. but IL Is
not an exaggeration to place the total num-
Der of persons who attend the four recep-
tons to the diplomatic corps, the army and
navy, Congress and the public at 1900.
President Hayes fed" these thousands.
No other word so properly describes the
President Hayes was rich. he could lose
every year as much money as he drew from
the national treasury without embarrass-
House the refreshment feature al the four
formal receptions disappeared. Garfield was
poor and had to make his salary pay run
gentleman to tolerate such a display as
several thousand persons clamortng for
food presented.
Mr.. Roosevelt is neither rich nor poor. In
New York city they call him poor: in Kan
sas City he would simply be classed as
well-to-do. His personal income is probably
less than $4,000 year. Miss Alice Roose-
father Half the fortune Of the first Mrs.
Roosevelt was left to her daughter. Mr..
Roosevelt has never touched the other half.
Out Oh nlS Salary OF Sob,tU anu sinai
personal income the President must do
more entertaining than any other individ-
ual In the United States. All the entertain
ing in which the President and Mrs. Roose-
Welt participate is done at the White House.
There is no way OF tepaying White House
social obligations. From the beginning OF
a presidential term until it's close the Pres
ident of the United States Is host. From
his salary the vast retinue OF White House
servants must be paid. Congress appropri-
ates $1,000 year for the contingent ex-
stationery, record books. books for the IL
brary and the White House stables Not u
cent of it is left to help defray any other
expenses. The government does pay the
White House steward. He is given salary
of 81 500 a year.
President Mckinley's steward now has
another Job in the government service.
President Roosevelt brought with him from
Albany Pinkney White, who is not white,
but black, and was steward when Roosevelt
was Governor of New York Out OF his
own pocket the President must pay his
housekeeper, bedroom maids, cooks coach
man and all other Servants The linen, sill
verware, glsss and china are furnished by
the government. The flowers are also fur
nished by the government. and the Marine
Band supplies the music for all White
House entertainments. For the stable a
boss and nd one helper , Negro help has s al
IL would seem odd to those who have been
visitors at the White House ever since the
time OF Grant Tito, TO see busting ei1,o In the
White House tradition that the chicken
must be cooked by a negro auntie."
. IL is not too broad an assertion to say
that II will cost President Roosevelt twice
as much money to occupy the White House
three years as il did President Mckinley
during his full and part term. President
Mckinley came to the White House con-
fronted by a big personal debt. He paid
every dollar that he owed, and al his death
had a few thousand dollars for Mrs. Nc
Kfnley. But IL was necessary for
Mckinley to practice close economy. Even
the moderate entertaining he had planned
was prevented by a series of personal mis-
fortunes In his immediate family, and since
the war America has not had such quiet
social administration as that of Mckinley,
which President Roosevelt has followed
with the liveliest.
The total appropriations for all purposes
in the Executive Department aggregate
$12o,000 The Presidents salary is $4,000,
and the contingent expenses of the execu-
tive office $4,000. In the Executive
Office the government has made provision
for the various secretaries and clerks.
Just as in any other business department.
of the government The secretary OF the
President receives $500 year. two assist
ant secretaries So 900 each. executive clerks
and disbursing officer $1,000. two clerks at
81 200 each, six clerks of class 4, one clerk
of class 4, who shall be a telegraph opera
tor; steward at $500 usher to the President
at 1880, chief doorkeeper at $500. four
doorkeepers at $500. four messengers at
8. 200 three messengers at $780, Waterman
at $780, one fireman at s710; in all $4,000.