The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-23
WHITE HOUSE EXPENSES.

amount that it costs them to live and
maintain the dignity of the presidential
Office The president of the United
States receives a salary of $4,000 year
and this amount seems large or small
TO the people Of the country, according
70 the point of view. Some presidents
have been able to lay by a considerable
part of their salary, and others nave
possibly exceeded their income in de-
fraying living expenses and the cost OF
entertaining guests at home ana from
abroad.
1t is commonly believed that President
Cleveland and President Harrison, and
in lesser degree. President Mckinney
saved considerable part OF their an
nual salaries. AS a rule, entertaining
on a large scale at the White House
was not nearly as common ten years
ago as 10 is now. The formal state din
ners and receptions have been an estab-
Iished custom since the time of the first
president but the extent of the enter
tanning beyond those purely formal and
necessary functions has depended very
much on the tastes and inClinatiOns Of
the men who had to occupy the presi-
dentiag office.
President Roosevelt has, beyond ques-
ton surpassed all his predecessors in
the magnitude and number of his en-
tertainments- When Chester A. Arthur
occupied the White House he surprised
the people with the lavishness of his
entertaining This was especially mark
ed when ne entertained at dinner at
different times in the course of one win
Ter the whole congress, comprising more
than 400 men, besides many other guests
invited with them But President
Roosevelt has been almost as lavish in
, his entertainment of senators and mem
bers of congress and he has entertained
other guests ia much larger number
than any other president
The entertainments given by the
RoOsevelts have been, in many cases.
Of an exceptionally expensive kind.
Among the most elaborate were the
musicales that were given frequently
last winter and have been resumed this
season. The musicians were paid by
the president and refreshments for sew
eral hundred guests were provided by
him Mrs. Roosevelt has given also q
large number Of large afternoon teas
and receptions.
Mr.. Roosevelt attracted the attention
Of the public Immediately after his sud
den induction into office by inviting
distinguished men from all parts of the
country to sit at his board. The object
of this was not entirely social for it
was semi-Officialy announced that the
new president wished to obtain the
views of leading men everywhere in
regard to public questions and policies,
and not a day passed that did not see
from four to twenty guests at the
White House, breakfasting or lunch
coming or dining with the president.
These invitations were frequently given
most Informally and on the spur of the
moment during the course of the days
business in his office. Immediately af-
ter he became president there was a
crowd of visitors each day in his office
He had not time to talk with them at
length. and in some cases he wished to
talk with them He would shake hands
with a man. tell him he was glad to see
him. but very busy, and that he wished
especially TO have a talk with him.
Have you an engagement for lunch
comp he would ask. Please come at
half past / and have lunch with me.
d.
place i'm the afternoon he would invite
the men to dinner. WOr1 was frequent
ly sent down to the White House lutch-
an as late as an hour before a meal,
saying that there would he from two to
six extra guests at luncheon or dinner,
as the case might be. The president also
entertained many persons at breakfast
and he stih maintains this practice
The question as to what part of the
White House expenses are borne by the
president and what part by the govern
ment has recently been revived The
answer to this question is that the pres
ideut bears a much larger proportion of
the total EXPENSES of the White House
than is commonly supposed. The first
large expense Incurred by a president
when he comes into office is an outlay
of from IS 600 to $4,000 for horses and
carriages. The government provides no
horse or vehicle for the presidents use,
although there is an impression to the
contrary This impression is q natural
one. for the government does furnish
two horses and a carriage for the use
of each member Of the cabinet Many
OF the assistant secretaries ia tho e&ecu-
tive departments have e3cn one horse
and carriage at the expense of the gov
eminent. and more ehan one bureau
chief has a horse and carriage free OF
cost The secretary 70 The president has
team of horses and carriage The
White House stables are furnished and
maintained out of the federal treasury
and the government aiso pays the presi-
dents coachman end cootmen and sta
blemen.
The White House IS. of course. in the
same category as other public buildings
so far as furnishings and maintenan- q
are concerned. Under the heal of main-
tenance however, the ordinary house
servants are not included. The pIess-
dent pays his own servants almost With
out exception The White House stew
ard is paid by the government. and one
or two other helpers. who receive labor
ers' wages are paid 10y Uncle Sam.
The laundry at the White House il
maintained "a the presidents expense.
although the superintendent of public
buildings and grounds. in his recent es~
Inmates to congress. said that it would
be necessary for the government to pro
vide two more helpers in the laundry o.
at an expense Of $25 per month each
Yet the statement has been made re-
peatedly at the White House, whenever
inquiry has been made, that the laundry
helpers. as we'll as other servants in the
AAta SUM- are -at1 OUT Oh the president s.
private nurse
The president Of course. pays all the
bills for groceries. meats and other pro-
visions used in the White House The
china. table linen and all accessories OF
the kitchen and dining room equipment
are provided by the government, and all
ways have been. Just as the furniture
for the parlors and sleeping rooms are
provided
The expenses OF a president, especially
II he has a large family as Mr. Roose.
Welt has are naturally very heavy fo4
1t is necessary FOR him to meet many
expenses that a private citizen does not
incur. This leaves out of consideration
altogether the expensive state entertain
tnents- Scarcely an additional dollar OF
extra expenditure is incurred by fhs