Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-15
WHITE HOUSE CHANGES
ASPHALT DRIVEWAY WILL BE
REMOVED.
Improvements Decfdedfiol at a Confer
ence Recently With Mrs. Roose-
velt-Another Entrance.

The fifty-foot asphalt, driveway running
in elliptical shape from the northeast to the
northwest gates Of the front grounds OF
the White House is to be removed and a
twenty-five-foot macadam or graveled road
way nut down instead. This was decided
upon at a conference of Mrs. Roosevelt,
Col Thomas w. Symons, the new superin-
tendent of public buildings and grounds,
and Charles F. McKim. the architect, under
whose direction the rehabilitation of the
White House and grounds has been made
during the last year.
Until the new east entrance to the White
House, opposite the treasury. was made the
need of the present driveway was mani
fest to everybody because the roadway was
the approach to the main entrance. being
used by vehicles and pedestrians. During
the social season the driveway was a scene
White House. Directly in front of the
White House was wide carriage stand.
Old Arrangement Now Unnecessary.
The new arrangements as to entrances
has made the north entrance Of the White
House private one. entirely for the fami-
" of the President. and therefore the drive
way and the carriage stand are no longer
necessary. The carriage stand will be torn
I'D with the asphalt roadway.
Twelve and half feet on each side OF
the present roadway will be used for va
rious purposes. The twelve and a half feet
adjoining the sidewalk will be converted
into q parking space for ornamental trees.
The same space on the other side Of the
driveway will be turned over to the main
park and will be used for flower beds. lawn
or any other purpose desired. 30 will the
SPACE now occupied by the carriage stand.
The sidewalks will not be disturbed and
will remain al they are.
1t is believed that the removal Of the
asphalt driveway will decrease the temper
AZURE around the White House in the heat
ed season of the summer. The new road
way will be Of the same width and appear
ance as those in the south part OF the
grounds. The cost OF the work Will be
about s.. COO and this will about consume
all of the appropriation Of over 100000
made by Congress for changes In the White
House and grounds.
Another Entrance Provided.
One other change Is to be made before
Architect McKim concludes that the ar
rangements are satisfactory. This is the
building of a flight of stairs from the side
walk just east of the north entrance to the
eastern terrace for the accommodation OF
the large number Of visitors who go to the
north entrance for admission to the east
ROOM AS matters now stand these visitors
are compelled to walk back to Pennsylva-
MIA avenue and go down the street between
the Treasury and White House grounds
before they can enter the right door. This
has led to much complaint from visitors.
and from Washington people, as we'll. The
new flight of steps will admit visitors to
the eastern terrace almost under the east
room, and the walk will be short one.
An order has been issued that no further
repairs or changes shall be made around
the White House except under the direc-
ton of the President, Mrs Roosevelt or
Colonel Symons. This is due to the fact
that Mrs Roosevelt has been given some
annoyance by persons attempting to do
things that were not desired, A few days
ago the representative Of a. tree concern.
misunderstanding some orders given him.
started to remove some trees that he had
been informed were Objectionable to Mrs.
Roosevelt. She had to put a stop to the
moving. Any work in the future will have
to be ordered through Colonel Symons after
sanction has been given by the President
or his wife ~. &C.