The Washington herald., 1909-07-26
WHITE HOUSE OFFICES.
Congressional Opposition and One
Explanation OF II.

From the Boston Trunscript-
And still in Congress the heather rage
about the White House office building and
the restoration Of the old mansion. as
made by McKim. Mead & White. States
men at the Capitol say the Office build
ing is "sQuatty." Ex-Speaker Keller
/ experiences a blush of shame every time
he sees It on his frequent trips to the
White House after Ohio patronage His
feelings are representative. IN more
senses than one. and also senatorial
The men who build tariffs for US may
presumably be regarded as architectural
experts; as such they dislike the White
House Office building. and time does not
alay their discomfort
But what do they really want by the
Side Of the old mansiOn2 Would a build
ing on such ambitious lines as 70 relegate
the White House to secondary place be
wholly appropriate? Would a radically
different style of architecture, bringing
tho White House into marked contrast
with one Of its adjuncts. be in good taste?
Congressional critics seem to overlook
that in architecture, as well as with men,
there IS a time 10 be abased as we'll as
time 70 be exalted. The atm of the New
York experts in building this Office struc-
ture on the grounds of the White House
was 20 construct something harmonious
in architecture with the old mansion. and
sympathetic with its simplicity. And
the work was well done. A Singer tower
might have been erected there, to be
sure, and It would have pleased many
Of the eminent art critics who shape our
tariffs. It would have had the further
advantage from the Capitol Hill point OF
view Of employing a lot Of doorkeeperg
and messengers and elevator men.
One OF the unfortunate aspects Of our
system Of government is the unveiled dis
satisfaction which the average law
maker feels over a simple solution of any
such problem. The restored White House.
While II carries out ingeniously the plans
Of the founders Of the nation. and at the
same time meets all reasonable present
day needs, secures these ends IN such
inexpensive way that it displeases. A
chance to spend S5.o00,O00 was here lost.
By some simple terraces, relics Of the
original plan. cloak-room accommoda-
tions were secured BY relegating the
heating apparatus to a subcellar and
transforming the basement from q cob
webby abode OF ashes and refuse into
series OF beautiful waiting-rooms. the
needs Of large entertainments were In
substance met By sending the Offices
from the second floor of the old mansion
into a small separate building such as
Jefferson had, additional living room
for the Presidents family was obtained.
These were three extremely simply reci-
pes. The average law-malIer would have
liked better 10 spend S5.O000OO. or perhaps
T0O00,0O0, on a new White House, or in
such an enlargement as would have left
the old one obscured in a half-forgotten
corner Of the new palace. That would
have employed great corps OF attend
ants, with a payroll that would have
absorbed no small part OF the returns
of the forthcoming income tax Because
this was not done. Congress has con-
tinued 10 complain, and the latest appro-
priation for small enlargement Of the
Office building, made in the urgency bin
Just passed. brought out the fireworks in
opposition once more