Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-02

change is for the better. as far as the dogs are
concerned. for they viii have modern quarters
in the new location
The use made of the portico on the other
side Of the building prior to prohibition, IS
worth mentioning at this point. It was in the
dark and cool vaults beneath the front porte
cochere that the White House stock of wines
and liquors once was stored, according to the
best information obtainable in these dry days.
The vaults now are used for storage Of non
intoxicating goods of various descriptions.
A THOUGH the White House has all modern
conveniences, there remain in out-of-the-
way places antiques of interesting nature. In
room which once was the kitchen there still
may been seen an old wrought-iron kettle arm,
which supported many pot of soup for the
Nations early Executives. In another base
ment room are some marble troughs, said to
have been used for cooling milk from an an
cient dairy in the White House grounds.
The old furnace and fuel compartments now
are used for service, as the White House pipes
its heat from a central boiler in the State, War
and Navy Building. When the building first
was occupied, heat was supplied by wood stoves,
for which fuel was scarce. Mrs. Adams wrote
in 1900 that "if they will put up some bells and
let me have wood enough to keep fires, de-
sign to be pleased" and added: 1T could con-
tent myself almost anywhere three months but,
surrounded by forests, can you believe that
wood is not to be had, because people cannot
be found to cut and cart it?"
Other records of that period confirm the fact
that labor was a problem. Much difficulty was
experienced by the Commissioners of the Fed
eral City in getting workmen to cut stone with
which to complete the building. They finally
remedied the situation by authorizing issuance
OF bonus of half pint Of whisky daily to
stonecutters at the Aqua Greek quarry south
of Alexandria, and later stimulated the work
further by increasing the allotment It can be
stated on the highest authority that no such
methods of stimulating production are being
employed in the current construction work, de-
spite precedent
Fire insurance agents never seek business &C
the White House. They are among the few
persons who know that the White House is not
insured against fire. tornado or any other
hazard. Uncle Sam does not insure any Of his
public buildings. He would rather spend his
money on watchmen than on insurance pre-
miums, the theory being that it is cheaper in
the long run.
There was storm insurance on the White
House during the removal Of the old roof, but
the contractors took 1t out. This was a con-
dition to the contract let by the Government,
to exempt Federal authorities from liability in
case a storm ripped Off the temporary canopy
protecting the lower floors and admitted rain
and wind.
THE remodeling program launched by Presi-
dent Hoover is focused principally on the
executive office wing constructed by President
Roosevelt. stickler for Office efficiency Mr..
Hoover Is making q more modern business
building out of the office addition without de-
tracing from its outer appearance. His engi-
neer1ng eye dtScerned that perfectly good Office
space could be provided in the basement by
certain alterations, chief among which was the