The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-24
ARCHITECT TELLS OF
REMODELING WHITE HOUSE

OF the interior alone of the old build
ing over 10000 new brick were used.
/ These were needed in patching and fill
/ ing in defective places, and wherever
demanded By requirements of strength
and durability.
The old chimney flues were cleaned
and made good New heating ducts were
arranged. and the whole heating plant,
instead of being retained above ground,
has been placed in a cellar directly
underneath the main vesubuIe. but an
additional ten feet below the level Of the
lower floor, which opens out on level
with he lawns ON The south front. All
fresh air Inlats ana return. and all steam
pipes Of every description are placed
underground out OF sight. This arrange
ment makes the garden floor Of The
White House now part of the house,
ready for any purpose that may be nee
essaTy or desirable Four large sleep
ing rooms have been added in the at
tic. as well as q linen room. flag room,
bathroom, and large storeroou
The roof has also been thoroughly
repaired and the roof drainage is an en-
tlrely new system The old system OF
drainage for the roof was something.
which in all my experience had never
before encountered. nor had ever heard
Of any system resembling this The
drainage was taken IN copper pipes
through the roof and between the cell
ing Of the second floor. and the attic
floor These copper pipes were laid in
side Of wooden sDOuts. hewn from solid
timbeTs- All the spouts we're led to one
general outlet near the center Of the
building. terminating in a down-pipe Of
ten inches diameter. which connected
with the sewer I fancy that in sorue
former day the old wooden spouts con
Veyed the water from the roof. but that
as time passed it was found that they
had decayed and leaked. Then they we're
lined with lead and copper. and later
copper conductors were laid inside the
spouts. This old system has been en-
riFeIy discarded. a new wrought-iron
system Of piping having taken its place.
In the west terrace a marked trans
formation has taken place. Formerly
this part of the building was used for
storage. Toulouse. etc. It now contains
laundries, sleeping rooms, etc What
were once bare. brick walls. are now
smooth pIastered ceilings and partitions,
and all is fresh and sweet. and suitable
for occupancy by help of the White
House. The old coIonnade has been
beautiled and made fit to be used as a
passageway By the President in going
from the house to his Office.
The east terrace Is entirely new. and
its construction and use is already
known TO all who have attended The
White House receptions. or who have
taken occasion to inspect the East Room
In my whole experience in building
an experience covering many years.
have never known so large an amount
Of difficult work done as has been done
in the few months We we're at work,
Starting the work on the 18th Of June.
the White House was in such condition
/ by the middle Of October that the Pres
/ ident was able TO occupy it
= am extremely glad to note TWO
things: First, that although many of
the people Of Washington believed. and
did not hesitate TO express the opinion.
that We would not be able to get the
White House in condition to be used for
the public reception at the beginning Of
the year. we did have the building
ready to be used on New Year Day; and,
second. that all the repairs have been
virtually completed thirty days ID ad-
vance Of the time We agreed to have
them finished Indictment weather has
delayed the exterior painting somewhat,
but so far as the buildings themselves
are concerned, they are complete
The work as & whole, taking iuto
consideration the shortness Of time and
The conditions involved. I consider It
VERY. successful IN my opinion # would
be very difficult to exceed what Has
been done"