Omaha daily bee., 1906-08-06
SHOW PLACES IN WASHINGTON.
some InterestinE information from an
OmciaI HeRort.

Oaicial Report.
! Figures don't lie. Statistics are also al
| ways infalllble but nevertheless, oniciais
who have just seen Colonel Bromwells
| annual report on public buildings and
| grounds, submitted 10 General Mackenzie,
chief Of engineers, are obviously studying
his table showing the number Of, persons
who assembled the Washington monument
during the past year.
The whole number for the year IL neither
above not below the average for the last
seventeen years The usual 20 per cent Of
the visitors were inocuated with the lazy
bug and took advantage Of the electric
elevator, while the remaining 10 per cent
climbed the long stairway to the top OF the
monument so far so good.
BUT when II comes to the classification
by months, oficials balk at the figures.
For in the balniy spring month OF April,
which had more visitors than any other
month last year. fewer persons availed
themselves Of the stairway than in the
hot. sultry, sticky month Of August. when
1914 persons out Of a possible 1880 climbed
the endless stairs With the Afieck Their
mometer soaring around the 100 mark
Ofhcial washington ponders over this
fact. Several state of1cials have stated
in good set terms that more information
is wanted in the next report. II is under
stood from high authority that the genial
superintendent OF public buildings and
grounds will be asked 20 compile Stats
tics the coming year on the avoirdupois
Of those persons who sightsee the top Of
the monument with a veiw to explaining
why, in the hottest month Of the year
when old Sol was sending his FURNISHED
shafts straight down into the Washington
asphalt and concrete, that a 550-foot stair
way looked better to humanity than an
easy running, nosless electric elevator.
Colonel Bromwen reports that 14s.4 76 per
sons looked out of the little windows at
the top Of the monument during the year
OF this number 22s70 walked while 1885,
GIG took advantage Of the elevator. January
was the poorest month for monument bust
ness, as only s.e06 persons visited the shafts
top that month. August saw 1884 on top
Of the monument, and was accorded the
banner month Of the report.
Falling in line with the economical ad-
ministration, or fearing visit Of the Keep
commission. Colonel Bromwell dispensed
with the visitors register on the top floor
as being too expensive in that the book
was filled up in three months, land a It
appeared that from three to four of these
large books would be required each year,
the idea of maintaining a register was
abandoned" At any rate 1854 persons I'm
scribed their names in the first volume.
The care Of the White House and execu-
tive grounds is one of the interesting sec
lions OF Colonel Bromwells report. There
are many details in the work on the execu-
tive mansion which require minute atten-
ton from one years end 10 the other. Most
OF the work, OF course, is done when the
president is on his vacation, and II is pos
sible for workmen TO work freely in all
parts Of the building.
The decorations OF the building need
careful attention always, and the paint and
enamel work has to be kept clean and
free from all marks and scratches. The
hardwood floors have TO be watched closely
and, cared for whenever flaw is seen in
their finish. More attention than the aver
, age person supposes is given TO minor de-
, tails In the care of the White House. for
! daily many persons visit the building. and
It is necessary to have Il spick and span
at all times.
The ceiling and woodwork Of the Green
Room were newly painted during the last
year, and new velour covering hung on
; the walls. The windows OF this room were
draped with materials similar to the wall
hangings. The only repair necessary in
: the famous East Room was the re1nishing
; of the hardwood floor. In the Red Room
: some repairs were made to the marble
t sub-base.
l Further attention was given 10 the state
! dining ROOM where the old calcimine was
cleansed from the ceiling and paint APP
3 piled in it's place. The woodwork of this
] room was refnished and some repairs
q 49,. -,,K-k hoe
] repairs were made in the private dining
room and the ushers room. The columns
in the corridor were refinished. Much
4 space is given to a number OF miscellaneous
e repairs made in various parts OF the man
e sion.
e Special precautions against FIRE in the
4 White House have been taken by the equip
ment of the attic with fire alarm gong,
e which is operated from the ushers' room
y on the first floor. BY this means 1t is pos
sible to notify the whole household the mo-
Z ment a fire is discovered.
E The social functions which were arranged
for by Colonel Bromwells ONCE are given
as the three state dinners FIVE musicales,
eight receptions and one lecture. The
additional events at the White House are
n not named, only those of a strictly official
nature being mentioned.
Many improvements were made in the
> presidents once building. most OF them
, relating to the interior decorations. The
executive grounds have been kept in good
=, condition. The report recommends an in
|, crease OF the appropriation for this purpose
. from $4,000 to 5000. to make further i'm
provements in the gardens.
In the parks Of Washington. Colonel Brom-
we'll states there were planted q, 900 pansies
and 81 900 towering bulbs for early bloom.
l. In the spring OF 1905 the beds and vases
!, were planted with s72.5n bedding and trop-
= zeal plants for summer decoration.
: Special efforts were made during the last
year 10 remove the unsightly bare places