The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
COST OF BEING PRESIDENT
Increase in Salary Does Not Permit Of Luxuries Known
10 European Rulers

When President TAT, took the oath OF
once on March and became President
OF the United States he did 50 az sal
airy OF $500 year.
Many persons, doubtless. imagine that
OF this amount the frugal President
Will Law by a neat little sum. so that when
he. becomes a private citizen he VII not
for some time al least. have 10 worry
about the future. says the Philadelphia
North American.
As matter OF fact. IL is likely the
President VIII leave the White House
not very much richer than when ne
entered. unless he should make judici-
Gus investments IN the meantime Il
Is said Theodore Roosevelt spent more
than his salary IN upholding the dignity
Of his high office Il is costly 10 be
President OF this country, and. il IS de-
clared. most OF the executives salary
Is eaten ID by expense Just how the
chief executive OF the nation spends his
money. however, will be interesting 70
learn.
When President Taft took his trunk
into the White House he knew OF a
few things that would cost him nothing
the house which should shelter him. the
fuel 10 keep him warm in winter and the
gas and electricity with which the house
would be lighted
His living expenses. he knew, must be
paid out OF his own pocket. what tney
would be, he realized, would depend upon
the scale OF magniAcence on which he
entertained: that there must inevitably
be entertainments, and entertainments,
fitting in their splendor 10 the importance
OF the country he served. He knew there
would be teas. musicales, balls, state
/ dinners often costing thousand dollars
\ OF more
( OF course. President Taft knew these
things. But il is not 10 be assumed
| they bothered him. No one places the
presidency OF the country on a CONNER
4 ciaI basis or regards II as money-Inak'
I ing proposition. 1t is task Of patriot
/ ism and love-and. from hnancia
/ standpoint, an expensive one.
Pay Part of the Servants.
The domestics employed in the White
House VIII be paid by the government
purely personal servants are paid by Mr.
and Mrs. Taft. The government vii
supply the President with a barber. Z
stable groom and laRorers. a maid 70
Mrs. Taft, and a steward who viii have
| charge Of the household servants.
/ But the coachman Of the President vii
be paid BY him. President Taft mus
buy his own horses and the oats 70 feet
them. On the other hand. the govern
ment Will supply. free Of cost, man!
other services required.
Should the President or his family
become i'll, there viii be no doctor
bills. The regular surgeons and doctor
OF the army or navy viii respond q
any call Of the President. who. as ccm
mander-in-chief Of the army and navy
is their superior. IN case OF death n
government would bury the President
ana perhaps pay his widow pension
for life OF 5000 a year.
II there are 10 be any repairs mad
IN the White House il viii cost n
President nothing. Mrs. Taft need sim
ply call upon the engineer office Of IN
army. who is also employed as the super
intendent Of buildings and grounds, an
he viii see 10 the repairing Of a roo
or remedy a defect IN the heating ap
paratus.
When President Roosevelt moved int
the White House he found il sadly &
I need or repair II was compared 10
fat located over museum The stat
dining room was draUghty, the furnish
ings soiied and faded. the furniture old
fashioned.
Emphaticany Mr.. Roosevelt declare
that the President of a great countr
should live in a style betting 70 IN
dignity OF his position. The cabinet lis
tened 70 him and agreed The Whit
House was remodeled, new furniture wa
bought and the place took on a ne
appearance.
Dinners Come High.
Mr.. Taft. as President. has $4,000 at hi
disposal each year for furnishings fc
the White House. a similar amount
, allowed for repairs There will also