Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1908-07-03
1WASHlNGToN !. LITTER.
Especial correspendenee,l !

bill passed by the late congress tends
10 formulate the as yet rather nebulous
idea held by many. minds that as the
years pass a new residence for the
president Of the United States will be-
come neeessity} So many Of the
rooms of the White House are and
have always been devoted to public
and official business that the presidents
and their families, the tenants at will
of the people, have--always been lin
tied as to sleeping rooms,
A Future Possibility:
The cloudy idea which in the future
may be embodied in another structure
b that the nation should supply two
residences for the chief executive, an
official and personal one.
The White House. rich as it Is In his
toric associations. could be used as
the public office building Of the presi-
dent, be more accessible to the general
public than it now is and be the Of
fcial theater of state functions. In
addition, and separate from this, the
executive and his family should be
given private residence in some de-
sirable section Of the city.
The item In the appropriations bill
which some interpret as looking for
ward to this provides for the purchase
of tract of land for park purposes.
This tract is about two miles north
of the White Eouse and easily accessi-
BILE by the Sixteenth street boulevard.
Over Century Old.
1t is almost LOG years since George
Washington presided at the laying of
the cornerstone of the executive man.
sion In the federal city" as he called
the city which was afterward to bear
his name. This ceremony took place
on Oct 13, 1892. the three hundredth
anniversary Of the landing Of Christie
pher Columbus. Eight years were con-
sumed in building the ''president's pal
ace" and Washington had been dead
almost year when the second presi-
dent John Adams, and his wife, Abb
gail, took possession Of the mansion.
Despite the cries of extravaganza
$4,000 had been granted by congress
for the building and furnishing Of the
house in those days no small sum.
Architect Of the White House.
The plans of the building. submitted
in a competition for a prize of $500,
were drawn by young Irish architect
of Charleston, S. c., named James Ho-
ban. Since it gained Its name, the
White House. from q coat Of white
paint bestowed after its sacking and
burning by the British in the war of
1912. some inlanders of reverential
mind cherish the fond idea that the
building is Of marble. 1t may lose in
learn that it is built Of sandstone from
Maryland and Virginia quarries.
1t was not Hoban's fault that the oc-
cupants Of the nations house had space
limitations placed upon their welcom'
ing and social instincts. Els first
plans called for three story building
and in the third story were to be the
sleeping apartments. An economical
democracy decided that this was Civ
ing the executive too much; that tw
stories and a basement should satisf.
all requirements. That Hoban planned
well is shown in the fact that unit
1902, when the executive offices wer
removed to the annex provided TO
them. the building was unchanged ez
cept for the addition Of porches an
Conservatives and for repairs.
~ A Historic Herb Patch.
Close to the Dutch garden whic
decorates the south side of the Whit
House is little space where herb
have been raised ever since the frs
mistress of the executive mansio
marked off a spot for a flower II
closure. There grow mints. SAVIOR,
marjoram and other plants. many {
which. tradition says. still come frol
the roots originally planted. All til
!. dishes for the presidential table al
seasoned with the products Of this II
tie patch. and the present mistress {
the White House is as careful Of tn
: section Of the grounds as Of the ham
:. soonest flower bed She has take
roots Of spenrmint. marjoram, swe'
: basil, tarragoa and thyme to Oyst'
! Bay. and she now has at the SUNNI
place one Of the best herb gardens
Long Island. Parsley. Of course. a
!, ures in the collection, including
: French variety. unusually pungent.
$ =s$:sS44 New Treasury Pillars.
~