The daily Alaskan., 1909-09-07
WASHINGTON LETTER
Special correspOndenco.l

! lSpeciM CorresponuchOo.J
 Destruction of the far famed White House tennis court, where played the so called "Roosevelt tennis cabinet" to make room for additional working quarters for the executive clerical stan. began few days ago, when ex- cavators marked on the ground for pick and shovel.
 This was the beginning of renoya- ton of the White House and further Improvements ordered by President Taft.
 White House Renovation.
 Each succeeding administration or ders renovation of the executive res idence. Sometimes the changes are radical and elaborate. The Tafts have decided to have it done on less ex- tensive scale. The cost of the pres ent improvements will be but little more than one.tenth of that of the changes made by the Roosevelts dur ing their first year in the White House. Seven years ago about half a million dollars was spent in remodel ing the interior of the White House proper and in erecting the east and west wings, including the present eS- ecutive office building. President Taft will expend not more than $l5,000 for improvements in the main building and S40,oO0 in increasing the size of the office.
 speelal Waitino Room.
 Both in the White House proper and fin the new offices no attempt at gram deur will be essayed. Provision will be made, however, for better accom- modations for the scores that flock to the White House daily to see the pres ident. A special waiting room will be provided for representatives, and senators, but 1t will be in marked con trast with the gold adorned chamber that congress provides for the presi- dents use when he goes to the capitol at the end of each session.
 The presidents efforts at public economy are shared cheerfully, 1t is said, by Mrs. Taft. So far fin the d. rectlon of simplicity and economy Is she willing to go that her present in- tention Is not to avail herself of the customary privilege of purchasing china of new design, to be handed down to posterity as ''the Taft set"
 Department Clerks Get Busy.
 Clerks fin the big government de- partments are hustllng these days. No more do they lolter to their desks In the morning. They are trying as hard as they can to get over the clock watching habit which has prevailed among them for years. Typewriters click merrily all the llyelong day, and general atmosphere of concentrated industry prevails.
 This great boost in energy is due to the fact that well defined impress sion prevails that the Taft administra- ton proposes to see to 1t that idlers will not be maintained on Uncle Sam's payroll.
 Clerks Not overworked.
 The average government clerk in washington-and this fact cannot be disputed by those who know their na- tional capital-regards himself as R much abused person. The clerks now 1 have an organization and are conduct ing a movement to have congress es- tablish a system of civil pensions. All the clerks receive each year thirty days of sick leave and thirty days of vacation leave. Salaries are not large in comparison with the increased cost of living but 1t is true that the aver age government clerk receives moro money than be would be able to earn in outside employment
 New Design For Barry Statue.
 Because Irish American societies ob- jected to his original model Andrew OrConnor, the Irish American sculp- tor, located in Paris, has submitted new model of the statue of Commo- dore John Barry, to be erected fin Franklin park, in this city.
 On account of these protests the commission required Mir. o'Connor to submit another model eliminating all the features of the original model re- latlng to purely Irish history. Tho new design is simply figure of Bar " on a plain pedestal inscribed with his name and the arms of the United States navy, in front of which is a group of two female figures in flowing drapery representing Erin" and "Co- lumbia" and typlfying "the sacred fire of Erin for the republic"
 A Soft Hearted Statesman.
 Senator Robert L. Taylor of Tennes- see delights to tell story on himself which illustrates how he came to be known us "the pardoning governor of Tennessee" Senator Taylor has one of the tenderest hearts of any man fin public life. He served as governor of Tennessee for three terms and signed pardons for more than 2,0O0 h.