Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-02-15
MRS. HENDE RSON'S
OFFER To NATION
SHE WOULD GIVE NEW MANSION
AS OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF
THE VICE PRESIDENT.
ON SIXTEENTH STREET HILL
Gift Intended as Memorial of Her Late
Husband and son-If Accepted,
Congress May Provide a Fund for
Maintenance.
Rv EDWARD B. CLARK

BY EDWARD 3. CLARK
Washington.-Th is keen interest
In Washington, and it is thought the
interest may extend to the country, in
the offer of Mrs. John B. Henderson
to give fine new residence to the
government of the United States for
the use of the vice presidents and
their families for all time The resi-
dence which Mrs. Henderson has of
fered is a large, commodious stone
dwelling, brand new, standing on Six
{ teenth street hill and comma1 ling a
view of the city that is unsurpassed
except by the view from Cathedral
Heights.
1t is not definitely known at this
writing whether the government will
accept this offer Heretofore vice
presidents and their families have
been compelled to shift for themselves
and the living expenses in some cases
have presented real problems. It is
expected that If the government shall
accept the gift it will make provision
for maintaining the household some
what after the manner that it provides
at present for maintaining the house
hold at the White House.
If the government shall accept the
gift and shall not make any appro-
priation for household expenses, it is
perfectly conceivable that some future
vice presidents will be unable to oc-
cupy the free quarters. They would
be saved rent but would be confronted
with the task of making both ends
meet with the comparatively small
salary which would be at their dis
posal
His Expenses Are Great.
The vice president of the United
States receives $4,000 a year. He
is compelled to entertain to a consid-
cradle extent, officially and of course
nonofficially This is all well enough
when the man who holds the second
office is a man Of wealth, as has been
the case on several occasions. Gar
rett A. Hobart, vice president for a
time in McKinley's first term, was a
wealthy man. Charles w. Fairbanks,
vice president under Roosevelt was
likewise a rich man. James S. Sher-
man, vice president under Taft. had
some money but not much. Neither
Thomas r. Marshall, vice president
under Woodrow Wilson, nor the pres
ent incumbent of the office, Calvin
Coolidge, could or can maintain an
expensive establishment.
For years there has been an effort
to induce the government to do some
thing in a financial way for its vice
presidents, but efforts have always
failed. It may be now that fine,
commodious dwelling has been offered
scot free, the government may take
advantage of the gift and make an
appropriation for light, heat and serv-
ant hire, which will enable the vice
president and his family to live in the
new quarters.
Mrs. John B. Henderson, who has
made this offer of a residence and
plot of ground, together worth some
where in the neighborhood Of half
million dollars, is woman well
known in Washington's social and Off
ciaI circles. She is the widow of John
B. Henderson of Missouri, who was a
member Of the United States senate
from that state not long after the
close of the war between tAe states.