Renovation

An ancient building, over 125 years old, stands in need of repairs and fireproofing. Built between 1792 and 1799, it was gutted by fire in 1814 by British soldiers under Sir Robert Ross. Only the walls were left standing. The interior was rebuilt, and to cover the smoke stains on the walls of Virginia freestone, it was painted white. Hence its name--the White House. To prevent another fire, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence O. Sherrill, Army engineer in charge of public buildings, has prepared plans for fireproofing the White House, now said to be a fire trap. The cost would be $400,000. He took his plans to the House Committee on appropriations. One of the Congressmen wanted to know whether it would not be cheaper to build an entirely new building. It would not. A new White House would cost about $1,000,000.