Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-03
White House Expense Equals
That of a Hotel.
PRESIDENTS PART LIGHT
Government Pays Lions Share of
Keeping Mansion Running.
MOST PLACES RESPONSIBLE
Salaries Compare Well With Those
for Similar Work in Other Fields.
Some of the Bills.

A private residence with the expenses
Of hotel.
These few words Indicate the type of
residence over which Mrs. Wilson will
preside as the first lady of the land -
following the Inauguration Of her hus-
band as President of the United States.
1t is fortunate for Mrs. Wilson that
during former admin STATIONS there has
been worked out system by means OF
winch the management of the White
House does not fall upon the shoulders
OF the Presidents wife. as it did during
the first years OF it's occupancy The
management of the White House is a
task. equal to that which befalls the man
ager of big hotel. but Mrs Wilson will
find that despite its enorm.ty it is ac-
complished with the regularity of clock
work.
The cost of running the White House
amounts to nearly s}1O,OOO annually, but
only a small portion Of this amount comes
out of the pocket of the President. OF
the several score of White House en-
ployes he only pays the salary of the
cook and the white maids who attend to
the wants of the feminine members of his
family. The other employees. including
secretaries. stenographers. clerks, stew
ard. jantors, walters, plumbers, electri-
clans, firemen. engineers, kitchen assist
ants, housekeeper. cleaners. etc, are all
paid by the government
In the executive offices alone the an
nual pay roll amounts to nearly $4,000
each year. With the exception of the
post of secretary to the President the po-
lit:cal plums. and most of the members
of the staff have continued on duty
through several administrations. regard
less of their politics. Col. Crook. for
example, the discussing officer who pays
all the government bills and salaries ex-
cept that of the President, is the dean
Of the Office staff. having been OH duty
at the White House in one capacity or
another SINCE the time Of Lincoln.
Comparison of Salaries.
The salaries laid compare well with
those for similar work in other fields. The
secretary to tie President receives $4,000
a year. His assistants and the chief clerk
receive salaries ranging from $3.jCO to
5000 a year. The record clerk is paid
81, 500 and correspondence clerk 1920.
The stenographers. who are all experts
In their line. receive salaries ranging from
1920 to $500 a year, and so on down
through the scale to the messengers, who
receive $500 to 1000 year
Each year an appropriation of $4,000
Is necessary to purchase office supplies
for the executive offices, new books Tor
the Presidents library, provide telephone
and telegraph service and "other miscel-
laneous items at the discretion Of the
President
The upkeep of the White House and
grounds requires another appropriation
Of more than $4,000. for. it is said. this
necessitates an expenditure Of more than
81 900 each week. This work is all done
under the supervision of the army officer
in charge Of the office of superintendent
Of public buildings and grounds. Upon
him rests the responsibility of a large
portion of the management OF the exccu-
tive mansion. 1t Is he who must see that
the historic old building is kept in re-
pair. that the roof does not leak and that
the grass in the grounds surrounding 1t
Is trimmed regularly and the flower beds
kept fresh with flowers and free from
weeds. In a recent administration $4,000
was appropriated one year for the pay
rnent OF repair bills. The White House
conservatories require an appropriation
Of one-ffth this amount each year. The
White House fuel bill each year is nearly
$1,000. and for light of the buildings and
grounds $4,000 is needed
One hundred dollars is needed each
month to pay the salary of each OF the
two chauffeurs who drive the two mag
niflcent White House automobiles. They
were purchased by the government at a
cost OF $1,000, and when they wear out
others will be purchased to take their
placeS