The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
THE WHITE HOUSE
BY GUY oPPELT MASON.

1S14 Madison, with his cabinet, took refuge across the Potomac. Mistress Dolly following shortly afterward. She waited to cut from its frame the famous painting of Washington hanging in tho East Room.
 The British set fire to the White House twice, and well nigh destroyed it. The Madisons, returning from their flight, took shelter in the famous "Oe- tagon House." still standing at Eigh. teenth street and New York avenue This house had been occupied by John Tayloe, and was leased as an Annex Executive Mansion" The restoration of the White House was authorized by Congress in 1915. James Hoban be- gan the repairs.
 A more handsome White House greeted the eyes of officials to wh om it was reopened for the second time at President Monroe's New Years recep- tion, 1918. The whole exterior was painted white, and has since then been so decorated Portieos were also added. The receptions of the Monroes were given in the East Room, which they called the banqueting hall"
 When John S2uincy Adams was elected Congress appropriated $14,006 for refurnshing the White House. Moat of this was expended upon the East Room.
 The administration of the younger Adams generation was noted for bril- liant entertainments.
 President Jackson was the first Pres ident who regarded the White House as inadequate for social functions.
 Each year Congress has appropriated money for an annual coat of white paint. This has been done since the restoration of the White House in ISIS.
 During Fillmore's administration Congress, at his request, furnished the oval 'sitting-room" on the second floor as a library. Mrs. Fillmore selected the books to fill the cases.
 To illustrate the cramped conditions in the White House, the following report of the visit of the Prince of Wales to America and his being entertained at the White House by President Buchanan is given:
 To accommodate the Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII, the President had to vacate his own quarters, and then only the prince and two aids could be accommodated in the White House; the rest of the party had to go to the British embassy. Under some of the subsequent Presidents even this limited hospitality could not have been extended, unless the regular inmates of the mansion moved out
 The first remedy offered for this condl- ton was figured out by Mrs Benjamin Harrison. She described the condition as being "dscreditable to a great nation." She urged the addition of wings at each end of the building, one to serve as an art gallery and historical museum, the other to be used for social functions and official business, leaving all the original structure for the President and his fam fly. Fortunately, perhaps-for the na- ton would have been loath to see the aspect of the old mansion so materially changed-a less radical plan was finally adopted By this scheme, which was successfully carried out in 1902, the exec utive office has been accommodated in a new building to the west of the man sion proper, and connected with 1t In way that does not interfere with its simple architectural dignity. The state dining room, into which, at most, 50 guests could be squeezed, has been en- larged by absorbing part of the corridor, and Is now a really handsome haIl ac- commodating a little more than 100 per sons-which is none too many. The whole edifice has been renovated and fitted with modern appliances, and its floors, which had actually become un- safe under the throngs they had to bear, have been strengthened and made fire proof The entire upstairs region is now reserved for the presidential household and no visitor is allowed to ascend the stairways, excepting, of course, the per- sonal guests of the family, so that the dwellers above are not seriously dis turbed by the sightseers below. The plans for the White House In the future arranged by Col. Theodore A. c n1 a4 ent police commissioner of New York city. in 1900, have never been discarded or condemned, but simply placed away. These may some day. be adopted. If they are adopted, the main section of the man sion will remain intact, the wings built in MT Roosevelts first administration will become two stories high, and the living quarters will be enlarged by additional sleeping rooms
 Colonel Bingham's plans embody the present White House unaltered and stand ing out in conspicuous relief He com bned his original ideas with MT. Harri- sons scheme which provided for two rev buildings like the old one, but placed at right angles thereto and connected by colonnades or wings. These wings were to be an enlargement over the present wings. The colonnades were to sweep around the wings to the rear, with Ionic columns similar to those that support the
 main portico. Behind these columns tho walls of the original White House were to be changed to curved ones. The White House of today represents in measure those ideas-so much so that at a future date they can be effected with but half the expense that it would originally have cost.
 While yesterday was its birthday, the only noticeable thing at the mansion was the flying of flags from the two masts. Next year when it's anniversary rolls around 1t will see the twenty-sixth occu- pant, William Howard Taft. What MT. Taft will propose in the way of improve
 ments is not known, but that Congress will make its annual appropriation for the coat of white paint and the maintenance is assured Thirty-five thousand dollars
 is what has been asked for in each of the last three years. This money goes for the many little expenses of keeping the house
 in running order and maintaining the sta- bles and conservatories