United States Congressional Serial Set Volume 3751 (Paperback, Annotated edition)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ...of State, Secretary of War, and Secretary of the Navy, and office of public buildings and grounds, and in the course of a few weeks this system will be extended to include the other Cabinet officers, giving them direct private telephonic communication with the Executive Mansion without the possibility of human interference or intervention; in fact, the system is so arranged that no persons other than those using the wires can gather any information as to the subject of conversation. The pillars of the south portico, the iron railing around the portico, and the wire fence connected therewith, ten large lamps at the north front, the laundry, the washboards, and aprons under windows in the east room, and some of the doors, door frames, pipes, sashes, etc., throughout the Mansion were painted, the shaft of the elevator calcimined and the woodwork of same painted. The portable exit bridge and the cloak boxes used at receptions were repaired and twenty new cloak and hatboxes were made, increasing the capacity from 788 to 1,068 persons. Six hat and cloak racks, accommodating 122 persons, were also purchased. Velour curtains were purchased to drape the hat and cloak boxes, and some new floor crash had also to be provided. An outside storm door was constructed at the main entrance. The large chandelier in the main vestibule was taken down and replaced with a cluster of nine electric lamps, and the vestibule was additionally heated by two steam radiators. As the roof of that part of the conservatory adjoining the Mansion leaked, a canvas covering was put over it temporarily during each of the official functions. The exit bridge, storm doors, canopies and frames, and cloak boxes were placed in position for the official receptions held in January and...