Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-29
Housing the Eicc-prcsident

Housing the Eicc-Prcsiucnt
L NTRAVAGANCE on the part OF the Fed
IL eral government, or any government is
inexcusable. No appropriating body has a
right TO expend public funds with Il freer
hand than the members of that body would
expend their personal funds, under like cir
cumstances But this is no defense for
niggardly policy in providing amply for pub
lie officials either at home or abroad.
For generations Congress has been urged
at each successive session to provide suit
able embassies and legations for the mem
bers OF the American diplomatic corps sta
toned in foreign capitals. While uncounted
millions might be thrown away upon some
domestic project, the same men who author
lied such expenditures refuse 10 give the
American ambassador to the Court OF st.
James, a house in which to maintain his
mission. II has refused even to pay the
rent of such house.
al the moment many Legislators are Civ
inE serious thought TO the vice presidency
They are coming TO the conclusion that this
highly important public officer should have
an establishment in Washington in keeping
with the dignity of his position and one for
which the government he represents should
generously provide.
This idea cannot fail TO appeal favorably
TO most American citizens without regard
10 party or TO section. The ce-presdency
is post OF high honor. The duties OF the
Office may seem TO be merely nominal since
TINS Official does no more. under the Con-
stitution. than preside over The Senate and
cast vote in case OF Il tic But as q matter
of fact, the Fice-President finds it necessary
to receive host of guests, not personal
guests, but guests OF the government He
finds II necessary To live in a fashion con
sstent with the title which lie bears He
finds II necessary to entertain and to be
entertained officially week in and week out
during the period OF his incumbency
For man Of wealth this is a very simple
matter. Vice Presidents Fairbanks and
| Morton. for example, were rich enough to
own or lease fine houses in Washington and
10 preside over them in manner worthy
OF the government which they represented
i'ut all VicePresidcnts have not neen men
OF means. Nor should these officials be Sc
!ected, like ambassadors. because they are
able to- pay their necessary expenses out
OF their own pockets.
Nice-Preaident Marshall is man Of prac-
tically no independent fortune vice-Presi-
dent sherman was in similar circumstances
/ The like vas true Of President Steven
| son. Each of these men were compelled
! TO live at the national capital on the ncagcr
salary OF SlZ,oOO year and 10 undergo tho
enba rrassments incident tc financial limi-
! tatons.
| Such thing as that is unworthy of the
I! greatest and richest country in the world
I. Congress should provide Il suitable home for
F, the Nice-Presdcnt. 1t should increase his
| salary 10 at least $4,000 a year which il
no larger than the income OF thousands OF
men III subordinate positions in business
NO other Nice-Prcsident should be compelled
TO live in hotel, because he could no,
afford to live in n house, as has been the
case OF Mr.. Marshall
Governor and Nice-Prcsident Elect Cool.
idgc is man without means The prcsen,
, Congress, before II expires on March 4
should authorize the purchase Of a Vice
Presidents mansion for the new Official
Nor need that Congress be afraid OF the
people whose money they will expend
Must he some sort of moral att.chad ,5