Evening star., 1950-01-26
Commission Director
0uizzed on 100000
Item for White House

The commission in charge of
renovating the White House
should be able to get along on
less than 100000 a year for
administrative expenses, in the
opinion of the chairman of a
House subcommittee studying its
appropriation request.
A transcript of hearing testi-
mony released for publication to-
day revealed sharp questioning of
Maj. Gen. Glen E. Edgerton.
executive director of the commits
sion. by Representative Thomas,
Democrat. of Texas, chairman of
a House Appropriations Subcom-
mittee.
Mr.. Thomas pointed out the
commission was given 100000 to
spend for administration during
the current fiscal year but didn't
get it until last October. He asked
If it wouldn't be possible for the
commission to hold itself to
$4,000 during this fiscal year,
permitting Congress to apply the
balance to next years appropria-
tion request.
We could not do that without
curtailing the activities that we
anticipate" Gen. Edgerton re-
piled.
Sees Overstaffing.
The commission consists of two
Senators. two Representatives and
two members from private life. 1t
is overseeing renovation job for
which expenditure of $5,40O,0OO
has been authorized.
Mr.. Thomas didn't like the idea
OF the commission contracting
with three consultants at the rate
OF 81 900 month, and then ask
ing for three staff assistants in
engineering.
General, frankly. I think you
are overstaffed,' he said. THE
committee has no disposition to
encompass the commissions valu-
able work, but the idea of having
three consultants, your own serv-
ices at $4,000 salary, two secre-
taries, a messenger, and now you
want three assistants for doing a
job that the Public Buildings Ad-
mlnistration is very adequately
equipped to do, seems slightly
eXtravagant."
Gen. Edgerton said no money
would be saved by using PBA per-
sonnel as additional consultants
and that the commissions staff
experts would serve as double
check" on the detailed planning
being done by the other agency. !
We'll, you certainly can double
check without all this expend-
iture." Mr.. Thomas commented.
Mr.. Thomas noted Gen. Edger-
ton had not explained just what
was to be done with approx
mately 100000 of this years
appropriation.
He answered that it would be
needed to handle disposition of
surplus materials taken from the
building having some historical
value. No decision on how to dis
pose OF those materials has yet
been reached, he said.
1T is not going to cost $4,000
to make up your minds" Mr.. I
Thomas said. H@@JN4 I
In considering the appropria- (,
ton for housekeeping expenses of {
the White House, including Blair /
House and Blair-Lee House, Rep
resentative Phillips, Republican. r
OF California wanted to know whyl
the Presidents household couldn't ,
be cared for by fewer employees,
with the White House temporarily
out of service.
Maintaining Two Buildings.
I'VE are doing our best to main
tain the Presidents home" Howell
G. Grim, White House chief usher,
said. THE activities normally
carried on at the White House are /
transferred to the Blair and Blair
Lee House. 1t is true that the
President would not entertain to
the extent in these two old homes
that he did in the White House.
but we are doing the very best
we can. While we are not at
the moment maintaining the
White House, we are maintaining
two buildings of comparable
space ="
I'VE are hopeful of having the
President and his family back in
the renovated Executive Mansion
by Christmas. 1884," Mr.. Grim told
the committee.