The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-24
Mr.. French Talks of What
Was Necessary to Do the
Work at Executive Man
sion.
Entire East Room Made
NeW-FIOOr5 Rebuilt and
observation-disclosures of
Plans.

Visitors TO the White House since the
East Room has been reopened to the
public. and. as well, many of the guest
at the state receptions and private mu-
siCales Of the past few weeks. have in
variabIy had one main thought after
viewing the extensive interior aItera-
lions It has been one Of extreme curl
osity to discover just what was really
done under the suTfaCe'-not only
what is now visible to everyone-but
what had to be done, from the fouuda-
tons up. TO create what now stands as
the new White House"
To tell visitors that the entire eastern
interior part Of the Mansion was torn
out, that 8 gaping abyss reached from
the ceilings of the second floor rooms
10 the basement floor underneath the
East Room, is to arouse not only their
interest Immediately. but even 20 test
their creduIity The Times presents,
therefore, the views Of the experienced
builder who had complete charge Of the
enormous amount Of work involved in
the Superintendent $. F.
FrenCh-the only individual who is
aware Of all the details which we're act
uaIIy considered from day TO day to
evolve the present results from the ar
ohitects plan
On the subject OF the pubic interest
felt IN the work and its transformation
of the Presidents official home, Nj.
French said;
Since work under terms Of the con
tract for the remodeHng and restoration
of the White House began. June Is. 1902,
much has been done in and about the
house that no one has any idea of ex-
cept those Immediately connected With
ii. The first thing done-and a very es-
sential thing-was the reconstruction Of
the floors Of 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 the ocCa-
sion Of large gatherings. temporary
posts had TO be put in the basement to
keep the floors from sagging, and per
haps COIIapsing In place Of these old
floors. new, demonstrated floors have
been put in. These floors are Of fifteen
and twenty-inch I-beams, with terra
Gotta freproofng between, making a
thoroughly safe and substantial floor
for any weight that could ever under
any circumstances be brought TO bear
upon it Large companies OF people. in
walking over these floors, will no longer
feel the spring and vibration that was
noticed on the occasion of such gather
ings in the White House in former years.
These floors are most thorough as 70
strength, having been made so by laying
two-inch Georgia pine plank with a di-
agonal course Of ighths pine,
while on top Of al is fine oak parquet
floor, smooth and waxed.
After the repairs on the building had
been gotten well under way it was found
that on account of settlement and
shrinkage in the old construction the
second floor was badly out Of level To
remedy this an entire new floor was laid
in the second story AT the same time
the old floors were Ieveled up so that
the new floors are reasonably straight
and correct
1T is somewhat surprising and inter
esting TO note that in the remodeIing