The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-19
White House Is Renovated
From the Cellar TO
Garrett.
BRCMWELL'S REPORT
TELLS OF CHANGES
Washington Monument Elevator
Has Been Inspected and Is in
Sound Condition.

Visitors to the White House these
days viii find the official home of the
President a model OF neatness. Every
thing is spick and span, and II the
President takes a notion to run over
10 washington he will find things in
real apple pie order.
Seven pages OF the annual report of
Col Charles F. Bromwell superintend-
ent of public buildings and grounds,
are given over to the details of what
has been done in and around the EX-
ecQtive Mansion. The President. as
we'll as any householder in the land
must have the locks and the hinges
attended &c, screens repaired and new
ones put in now and then. and broken
window panes replaced with sound
ones. and all this is included in Colonel
Bromwells report.
In reading the report it appears that
the White House had many things to
be done TO II during the last year,
many of which will not be apparent to
the public, but nevertheless each has
tended to put the White House in ship
shape. a lot of plumbing had to be
installed and the lighting system
heating apparatus was put in perfect
order and throughout the interior Of
the mansion the walls were painted
where it became necessary
A general system OF housekeeping
was maintained throughout the man
sion Furniture was overhauled, frames
rubbed down and repaired. and window
shades and carpets repaired and re-
placed. Linen slips have been placed
on all the furniture for the summer
months and all the draperies have
been kSken down and packed away
until fall.
over a. the Executive Offices every
thing is shining. the exterior and in
tNrior have been painted. All nee
nessary improvements have been made
around at the White House stables and
the Presidents steeds are quite proud
Of their cleaned-up premises.
Three examinations were made of the
Government Printing Office during the
year, also a test was made of the
strength of the floors Of the old build
ing The walls Of the building fac
ing Jackson alley were examined and
a report made with recommendations
for Strengthening them.
colonel BromweH reports tina; the
building which was formerly the local
terminus of the Pennsylvania railroad
was taken possession of by the War
Department, March 4 OF this year lie
further reports that the usual care has
been exerted to protect the shaft Of
the Washington Monument and 10 keep
il clean All machinery connected with
the passenger elevator, which daily car
ries hundreds OF tourists TO the top. was
inspected and reported 10 be in sound
condition.
Colonel BroniweI goes into detail in
describing the additional parking that
has been made during the past year
and Of the extensive imprOvementsm made
throughout the parks OF the city. In
all Of the parks where the children
gather in the day and older folks 90
to sit In the aHening, Colonel Brom-
well reports that WORE places have been
repaired and other improvements made
In the Monument grounds ard annex
new board walks havss taken the place
Of old ones, and the graveled walks
done over.
The superintendent of public buildings
was thinking of the little inhabitants Of
squirrel boxes were placed in the trees
for the little animals. The squirrels
were not long in finding out they had
new homes and are now thoroughly en-
jcying them
The work of completing the improve
meut OF that part OF Potomac Park be-
tween the causeway of the Pennsvl-
vania railroad bridge. the Virginia
channel Of the Potomac river. and the
tidal reservoir. due 70 changes in the
car tracks OF the Alexandria and MI.
Vernon Railroad Company. and the
erection Of n bridge across the outlet OF
the tidal reservoir into the Washington
channel OF the Potomac river, was COM
pleted in June of this year
Another important center of opera
tons was the propagating gardens
where the Government raises all kinds
OF rare flowers and where the table dec
orations at the White House are usual
" brought The greenhouses were re-
paired and number OF minor improve
ments made.
Colonel Cromwell includes in his LIST
the number of lights which are located
in each Of the city parks and along the
Government reservations and Speedway
The report includes a detailed ac-
count OF the plans for the memorial tn
General Grant Continuing, a paragranb
is devoted TO the memorials to General
Sheridan, Count Pulaski. Baron Won
Steuben, Gen. Thaddeus Kosciuszko
Commodore John Barry, LoncfeIIovv
Christopher Columbus. Stenbepson
Grand Army Memorial. and John with
erspoon.