Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-12
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Rev Dr. Couden, the chaplain of the
House, in his invocation today, referred to
the fact that this was Lncoln's birthday.
A bill was passed to authorize the bridge
and highway commissioners to construct
drawbridge across the Connecticut river at
Hartford.
The conference report on the bill to create
a general staff in the army was adopted.
After some further routine business of a
minor character the House went into COM
mittee of the whole and resumed the fur
Their consideration of the sundry civil bill.
Cost of the White House.
An attack was made on the improvements
at the White House, and an amendment
was offered to the bill to cut down the
amount to be expended for maintenance
from 100000 to S45, 900.
The matter was brought up by Represen-
tatiye Gaines of Tennessee, who criticised
what he termed the endless chain of en-
tertainments. and asked Mr.. Cannon for
Information as to how much of the expense
of these entertainments was borne by the
government and how much by the Presi-
dent.
Mr. Gaines referred to the transfer of Col.
Bingham. and declared that this transfer
was due to the coloners criticism of the
expenditure of s60oO0o for enlarging the
White House. Mr.. Gaines said he wished
this Improvement had not been done; that
he had pleaded with anguish and with
pain at the time the appropriation was
made rot to have 1t done.
Mr.. Cannon, replying briefly said II was
easy to make criticisms. He said he did not
care to defend the improvements made but
would refer the gentleman to the eminent
architect. who, he said might have made a
mistake but he was glad on the whole
that the improvements had been made
Although / do not admire the office
building" he added.
Mr., Cannon said 1t was our White House,
however, and might be occupied by a gen
ueman belonging to the other side.
Mr.. Nandiyer asked some questions about
the manner of expending the appropriation
asked for in the bill. Before an answer
asked Mr.. Cannon for his personal opinion
as to whether the new Office building was
best fitted for a carriage barn, an executive
Office or chicken coop.
Mr.. Cannon. waving his hand said he
would only refer him to the eminent archf-
tect. whose name he believed was Mr.. Nc
Kim
Col. Bingham's Transfer.
Mr.. Fitzgerald Of New York took the Goor
also In criticism of the appropriation He
read a statement from New York paper
Of today which gave the cause of Colonel
Bingham's transfer. This cause was stated
to be that he had held up some of the
vouchers Tor the work which had been done
on the ground that this work had not been
properly executed: that this had dlspleased
Secretary Root and the President.
MIR. Fitzgerald declared that he had yet
TO find a single member of the House who
was willing to justify the expenditure of
$4,000 for the erection OF the executive Of
nee. He also criticised the remodeliny OF
the White House and said that the whole
thing was a great disappointment TO every
one
Mr.. Cochran (MoD followed Mr. Fitz-
gerald with another criticism declaring
tfat there was q decided tendency in off,
cial life in this country to initiate the life
OF the European courts. He said he had
no patience with the pink teas, the mid
night lunches and the fiunkeyism which
appeared on every hand In this country.
Mr.. Cochran declared that he appreciated
that the standard of living had changed,
and that the cost had increased greatly
but he did not believe that the country
would Justify the expenditure of forty fifty
or sixty thousand dollars in any household
In the country, even that of the President.
Mr.. Cannon Replies.
MT Cannon made another reply, answer
Ing first Mr. Fitzgeraids charge regarding
the transfer of Col. Bingham. He stated
that Col. Bingham had been in his present
position for six years: that his predeces-
sor. Gen. Wilson, had held the place for
derstood that army officers were transfer
red at least once In four years. and that
Col. Bingham had held the place longer
= than any engineer officer who had had the
place before.
Speaking of the expenditures. Mr.. Cannon