Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-21

of the White House as he goes in, com
paratively a poor man. Mr.. Taft. how
ever. will not have to pay for the floral
decorations to be used at his entertain
governments greenhouses which are now
kept for the purpose. The music also
will. Of course, be free, being furnished
by the justly famous Marine Band.
In 1885 less than $4,000 exclusive OF
the Presidents salary, which was then
White House. But for the fiscal year
ending June 80. 1909. 1929, 430 has been
appropriated. This Is for the close Of
the Roosevelt administration and the first
few months of that of Judge Taft.
When George Washington was first
elected he announced that he wanted no
compensa ton for his services. A warm
discussion arose in Congress over the
to $4,000 were suggested as proper
Finally compromise Of $4,000 was
agreed upon. Until 1873 the salary re-
manned at this figure. 1t In no wise
grew with the wealth and increased influ-
enca of the country. The late Stevenson
Archer of Maryland, while a member Of
the House of Representatives. in 1870,
introduced what was probably the first
bill for increasing the Presidents salary
This bill provided compensation OK
$4,000, just double what 1t was at the
time. but 1t did not become 9 law. 1t
paved the way, however. for the legisla-
ton that followed. Those favoring the
increase at present under discussion De-
lieve that the bill now before Congress
will have the same effect even II It IS
not passed at the present session. 1t Is
represented by them that the proposed
increase has the hearty approval OF the
American people. 1t may seem. they de-
clare, to the average man that the Presl-
dents income is princely sum. out the
President is not an average man. He is
the chief executive of 100000. or these
100000 there are many big corpora :
ton presidents drawing vastly bigger
salary, and they could do much less en-
PERTAINING than the President has to with
out any sacrifice to their dignity. It Is
compulsory for the President to give at
least four big receptions year, each OF
which costs him a goodly sum.
Compared with the salaries of some
other rulers, and even Of unimportant po-
tentates of Europe, the President of the
United States is poorly paid executive.
The King of Portugal, with but 100000
subjects, receives compensation OF
$4,000 a year The King of Saxony, a
king in name only, and with no duties of
government, receives $775,OOO year. The
Russian emperor receives $9OOO,0OO
year, besides several additional millions
as head of the house of Romanon Inc
King of Italy has an annual salary ol
considerably over S2,OOOOOO. The kings
of Roumania and Servia each get nearly
Sz5OOOO. The President Of France. who,
next to the President of the United States,
is the poorest paid ruler, receives s12o,OOO
a. year. $4,000 more than the salary pro-
posed for President Taft.
But to get back to the cost of maintain
ing the White House. 1t has been stated
that the salary is but an item. 1t would
seem to a casual observer looking over
the congressional appropriations that the
President has nothing to do with his sal
airy but to attend to his personal wants
and desires. This is to a large extent
true, but much of the entertaining that
has to be done at the Presidents personal
expense is not from choice.
The maintenance of the White House
considered in its literal sense. is entirely
cared for out of the public funds. The
appropriations for this purpose have in
creased from $4,000 in 1885 to $4,000 In
1909. This. of course. exclusive of travel
ing expenses of -$25 600. salary Of $5O,OO(
and other incidentals. The President oc-
cupies the White House practically as
the guest of the nation. But not entirely
So He must pay from his own purse FOL
the clothing for himself and his family
and must meet the weekly market bill
which is a considerable item. But t,