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Treasury Department Bicentennial 9/11/89 [OA 6268] [1]
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Treasury Department Bicentennial 9/11/89 [OA 6268] [1]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Speech Backup Chronological Files
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Backup Files
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Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
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13683-006
Folder Title:
Treasury Department Bicentennial 9/11/89 [OA 6268] [1]
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26
19
3
3
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
On the cover:
Thirty columns, each 36 feet high and carved in the lonic order
from a single block of granite, form the east facade of the Main
Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. The colonnade is 336 feet
long and constitutes one of the most dramatic examples of American
federal architecture. (U.S. Treasury)
Department
of the
Treasury
OF THE
THE TREASURY
1789
Contents
Introduction
3
History
4
Organization & Functions
13
Departmental Offices
16
Bureaus
20
Appendix
25
Department of the Treasury
Washington, D.C., 1986
A
100000000
C
O
Bental
The cast-iron column capitals in the South, West,
and North wings are unique to Treasury. They
combine elements of lonic and Corinthian orders of
architecture with federal iconography (the gilded
eagle and the hand holding a gilded Treasury key).
INTRODUCTION
The management of the money resources of
the United States has always been the primary func-
tion of the Department of the Treasury. Whether
it is regulating national banks, determining inter-
national economic policy, collecting income taxes
or customs duties, reporting the government's daily
financial transactions, or manufacturing coins or
bills for circulation, the one concern that still ties
together the activities of the Department of the
Treasury is money.
Though formally established as an executive
department by the First Session of Congress in
1789, many functions of the Department of the
Treasury were being carried out even before the
signing of the Declaration of Independence thirteen
years earlier. Over the decades, the functions of
the Department have expanded and grown more
sophisticated to meet the needs of a developing
nation.
Today, the Department of the Treasury remains
the premier financial institution of the United States
with a full-time agenda of accounting, revenue col-
lection, money production, and economic policy
formulation. In addition to its traditional respon-
sibilities, Treasury performs such diverse govern-
ment functions as providing security protection for
the President, striking commemorative medals,
monitoring the sale of guns and explosives, and
training law enforcement personnel from over 60
Federal organizations.
INGODWETHUST
The Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., is featured on the
reverse of the $10 bill. All United States currency and coinage are
produced by the Department of the Treasury. (U.S. Treasury)
3
HISTORY
Revolutionary Period
The history of the Department of the Treasury
began in the turmoil of the American Revolution,
when the Continental Congress at Philadelphia
deliberated the crucial issue of financing a war of
independence against Great Britain. The Congress
had no power to levy and collect taxes, nor was
there a tangible basis for securing funds from
foreign investors or governments. The delegates
resolved to issue paper money in the form of bills
of credit, promising redemption in coin on faith in
the revolutionary cause. On July 23, 1775-only a
few days after the Battle of Bunker Hill-three men
were appointed to supervise the printing of $2
million in bills; 28 citizens of Philadelphia were
employed by the Congress to sign and number the
currency.
On July 29, 1775, the Second Continental Con-
gress assigned the responsibility for the manage-
ment of the revolutionary government's finances
to Joint Treasurers, George Clymer and Michael
Hillegas. The Congress stipulated that each of the
colonies contribute to the Continental govern-
ment's funds and issued another $2 million in bills
of credit in December of that year.
To ensure proper and efficient handling of the
growing national debt in the face of weak
economic and political ties between the colonies,
the Congress designated in February, 1776, a com-
mittee of five to superintend the Treasury, estimate
its accounts, and report periodically to the Con-
gress. On April 1, an office of accounts and an
(Left) Michael Hillegas, first Treasurer of the United States,
1775-89. (Right) Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance,
1781-84. (Treasury Collection)
4
STAT
N.
Sixty-five Dollars.
T
HE Beareris en-
titled to receive
Sixty five Spanifh milled
THE
STATE
UST
DOLLARS, or an equal
Sum in Gold or Silver,
according to a Refolu-
tion of CONGRESS
of the 14th January,
1779.
Publox
LXV DOLLARS.
LOSE
This $65 Continental note was issued January 14, 1779. The
Revolutionary money was printed in various denominations and sign-
ed by hand. (Smithsonian Institution)
auditor general were established within the
Treasury Office to facilitate the settlement of all
payments and claims for the government of the
"United Colonies." With the signing of the Declara-
tion of Independence on July 4, 1776, the newborn
republic as a sovereign nation was able to secure
loans from abroad.
Despite the infusion of foreign and domestic
loans to pay for a war of independence, the united
colonies were unable to establish a well-organized
agency for financial administration. Michael
Hillegas was designated Treasurer of the United
States on September 6, 1777, but over the next
three years, the Treasury Office was reorganized
three times and the paper Continental Dollar
devalued rapidly. By May, 1781 it collapsed at a
rate of 525 to 1 against hard currency. Protests
against the worthless money swept the colonies
and angry Americans coined the expression "not
worth a Continental.
Robert Morris was designated Superintendent
of Finance in 1781 and restored stability to the na-
tion's finances. Morris, a wealthy colonial mer-
chant, was nicknamed "the Financier" because of
his reputation for procuring funds or goods on a
moment's notice. His staff included a Comptroller,
a Treasurer, a Register, and various clerks, who
managed the country's finances through 1784,
when Morris resigned because of ill health. Until
the Constitution of the United States was ratified
in 1789, a board of three Commissioners continued
to oversee the finances of the confederation of
former colonies.
5
Hamilton and the Establishment
of the Department of the Treasury
The First Congress of the United States con-
vened in New York on March 4, 1789, marking the
beginning of government under the Constitution.
On September 2, 1789, Congress created a perma-
nent institution for the management of government
finances:
Be it enacted by the Senate and the
House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assem-
bled, that there shall be a Department
of the Treasury, in which shall be the
following officers, namely: A Secretary
of the Treasury, to be deemed head of
the Department; a Comptroller, an
Auditor, a Treasurer, a Register, and an
Assistant to the Secretary, which assistant
shall be appointed by said Secretary.
Alexander Hamilton served as the first Secretary of the Treasury
from 1789 to 1795. One of the most brilliant statesmen of the ear-
ly American republic, he was killed in a duel in 1804.
(Treasury Collection)
6
The original Seal of the Department of the Treasury, designed in
1778. The Latin inscription is an abbreviation for the phrase Thesauri
Americae Septentrionalis Sigillum, which means "The Seal of the
Treasury of North America." The seal was simplified in 1968 and
now bears the words "The Department of the Treasury" and the
date of the Department's establishment, 1789. (U.S. Treasury)
Alexander Hamilton took the oath of office as
the first Secretary of the Treasury on September 11,
1789. Hamilton had served as George
Washington's aide-de-camp during the Revolution,
and had since then been a successful lawyer in
New York. Because of his financial and managerial
acumen, Hamilton was a logical choice for solv-
ing the problem of the new nation's heavy war
debt.
Hamilton's first official act was to submit a
report to Congress in which he laid the foundation
for the nation's financial health. To the surprise of
many legislators, he insisted upon federal assump-
tion and dollar-for-dollar repayment of the coun-
try's war debt of $75 million in order to revitalize
the public credit: "The debt of the United States
was the price of liberty The faith of America was
pledged for it, and with solemnities that give
peculiar force to the obligation. "Hamilton foresaw
the development of industry and trade in the
United States, and suggested that government
revenues be based upon customs duties. His sound
financial policies also inspired Investment in the
Bank of the United States, which issued money in
the government's name.
7
The Treasury Building
In the first years of the American republic's ex-
istence, the government was quartered in
Philadelphia until the new capital city as author-
ized in the Constitution was built on the banks of
the Potomac River. In 1800, the government
moved to Washington, D.C., and the Department
of the Treasury moved into a porticoed Georgian-
style building designed by an English architect,
George Hadfield. This structure was burned by the
British in 1814, but was rebuilt by White House ar-
chitect James Hoban. This building was identical
to three others located on lots adjacent to the White
House, each housing one of the four original
departments of the U.S. Government: State, War,
Navy, and Treasury. The Treasury Building, to the
southeast of the White House, was burned by ar-
sonists in 1833 with only the fireproof wing left
standing.
The present Treasury Building is a magnificent
granite structure in the Greek Revival style; it was
built over a period of 33 years between 1836 and
1869. The east and center wings, designed by
Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monu-
ment and the Patent Office Building, comprise the
first part of the building constructed from 1836 to
1842. The most architecturally impressive feature
of the Mills design is the east front colonnade run-
ning the length of the building. Each of the 30 col-
umns is 36 feet tall and was carved out of a single
View of the east entrance of the first Treasury Building in
Washington, 1804. The principal entrance of the building faced
south. It was burned to the ground by the British in 1814 and was
replaced by an identical structure which was also destroyed by fire
in 1833. (U.S. Treasury)
8
East front of Main Treasury, circa 1865. The 336-foot long col-
onnade was rebuilt with granite in 1908. On the right stands the
old State Department building, which was razed in 1866 to make
room for the north wing of Main Treasury. (Library of Congress)
block of granite. The interior design of the east and
center wings is classically austere, in keeping with
the Greek Revival style.
Later additions were made to the original
wings, beginning with the construction of the south
wing from 1855 to 1860 and the west wing from
1855 to 1864. The preliminary design of the wings
was provided by Thomas Ustick Walter, architect
of the dome of the U.S. Capitol, but architects
Ammi B. Young and Isaiah Rogers refined the plans,
designed the interior details, and supervised con-
struction. While the exterior of the building was ex-
ecuted along the lines of the original Mìlls wings,
the interiors of the later wings reflect changes in
both building technology and aesthetic tastes. Iron
columns and beams reinforced the building's brick
vaults; the architectural detailing became much
more ornate, following mid-19th century fashion.
The final addition to the Treasury Building was
the north wing, built from 1867 to 1869. Its ar-
chitect was Alfred B. Mullett, who subsequently
designed the State, War, and Navy Building (now
the Old Executive Office Building) on the other side
of the White House. Similar in construction and
decor to the south and west wings, the north wing
is unique as the site of the Cash Room-a two-story
marble hall in which the daily financial business
of the U.S. Government could be transacted. The
room was opened in 1869 as the site of President
Ulysses S. Grant's Inaugural- Reception.
9
Solid granite columns are hoisted into place on the north portico
of the Treasury Building, September 16, 1867. (National Archives)
The Treasury Building is the oldest departmen-
tal building in Washington and has had a great im-
pact on the design of other government buildings.
At the time of its completion, it was one of the
largest office buildings in the world. It served as a
barracks for soldiers during the Civil War and as
the temporary White House for President Andrew
Johnson following the assassination of President
Lincoln in 1865. The Treasury Building is unques-
tionably a monument of continuing architectural
and historic significance.
The Development of the Department
Throughout the decades of American history,
the Department of the Treasury has been a dynamic
aspect of the government's service to the people,
expanding and developing to accommodate the na-
tion's needs. While the fiscal and collection func-
tions have remained substantially constant over
almost two centuries, other incidental operations
have varied greatly. Most of the functions as-
signed to Treasury by the initiating legislation are
still carried out by the Departmental offices,
although the functions of the Comptroller have
been assumed by the Comptroller General of the
General Accounting Office, and those of the
Register are carried out by the Financial Manage-
ment Service.
Many functions of the federal government,
regardless of fiscal significance, were first placed
10
Following the assassination of President Lincoln in 1865, Andrew
Johnson used a room in the Treasury Building as a temporary of-
fice before moving into the White House. (Library of Congress)
under the jurisdiction of Treasury; other agencies
or executive departments have since been created
to administer some of these activities. The Postal
Service, for example, was administered by Treasury
until 1829; the General Land Office, which was the
nucleus of the Department of the Interior was part
2
of Treasury from 1812 to 1849. Operations
associated with business were Treasury activities
until the creation of the Department of Commerce
and Labor in 1903; the functions of the Office of
the Supervising Architect of the Treasury were
eventually established within the General Services
Administration in 1949. The oldest seagoing
armed service in the United States, the Coast
Guard, remained in the Department of the Treasury
until its transfer to the Department of Transporta-
tion in 1967, and other marine interests were ad-
ministered by Treasury: the U.S. Coastal Survey, the
OF MOON MON
The Inaugural Reception of President Ulysses S. Grant took place in the
Treasury Cash Room on March 4, 1869. The event was so crowded that
ballgoers had to wait two hours to retrieve their wraps.
(Library of Congress)
11
Interior of the Cash Room where government checks could be
cashed as recently as 1975. The walls are made of seven varieties
of American and imported marble. (Library of Congress)
Lighthouse Service, and the Marine Hospital Ser-
vice, from which the Public Health Service, and
5
ultimately, the Department of Health and Human
Services grew. The Bureau of Narcotics was part
of Treasury until its relocation in the Department
of Justice as the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous
Drugs. The Treasury Bureau of the Budget was
6
transferred to the Executive Office of the President
in 1939 and now oversees the spending of federal
funds as the Office of Management and Budget.
Treasury is an agency that has been sculpted
by the history of the nation it serves: though its
basic functions as dictated in the Constitution re-
main constant, it has adapted to the ever-changing
realities of the nation's development through
periodic innovations and reorganizations. The Civil
War, for example, had a great effect upon the ac-
tivities of the Department of the Treasury: the loss
of customs revenues from the seceded Southern
states resulted in the establishment of the Bureau
of Internal Revenue, as well as the printing of paper
currency and the institution of the National Bank-
ing System. The growth of international trade after
World War I and the United States involvement in
World War II demanded an active role by the
Department of the Treasury in the Bretton Woods
Conference in 1944, the establishment of the World
Bank, and the leadership of the United States in
worldwide economic development efforts.
12
ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
The Department of the Treasury is organized
into two major components: the Departmental Of-
fices and the operating bureaus. The Department-
al Offices are primarily responsible for the formula-
tion of policy and management of the Department
as a whole, while the operating bureaus carry out
the specific operations assigned to the Department.
The basic functions of the Department of the
Treasury include:
Economic and fiscal policy
International and domestic economic research
Government accounting, cash, and debt
management
Supervision of national banks
Production of coin and currency
Assessment and collection of internal
revenue
Enforcement of tax and tariff laws
Anti-counterfeiting operations and Execu-
tive protection
The Departmental Offices are composed of
divisions headed by Assistant Secretaries who
report to the Secretary, his Deputy, or the Under
Secretary for Finance. Most of these divisions are
located within the Main Treasury Building in
Washington, D.C. The eleven bureaus make up
98% of the Treasury work force, which totals ap-
proximately 160,000 people.
A Treasury seal, circa 1800, depicts a watchdog guarding the key
to a strongbox. According to legend, the dog is "Nero," the first
watchdog of the U.S. Mint in 1793. The key and scales are also
incorporated in the official Treasury seal. (U.S. Treasury)
13
Departmental Offices
The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible
for formulating and recommending domestic and
international financial, economic, and tax policy;
participating in the formulation of broad fiscal
policies that have general significance for the
economy; and managing the public debt. The
Secretary oversees the activities of the Department
in carrying out its major law enforcement respon-
sibilities; in serving as the financial agent for the
U.S. Government; and in manufacturing coins and
currency.
As chief financial officer of the government, the
Secretary serves as Chairman of the Cabinet Coun-
cil on Economic Affairs and Senior Interagency
Group on International Economic Policy, and as
U.S. Governor of the International Monetary Fund,
the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the Inter-American Development
Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the
African Development Bank.
The Deputy Secretary advises and assists the
Secretary in the supervision and direction of the
Department and its activities, and succeeds the
Secretary in his absence, sickness, or unavailabili-
ty. The Deputy Secretary plays a primary role in
the formulation and execution of Treasury policies
and programs in all aspects of the Department's
activities.
The Treasurer of the United States, the only
Treasury office older than the Department itself,
was established September 6, 1777. The Treasurer
was originally charged with the receipt and custody
of government funds, though many of these func-
tions have been taken over by different bureaus of
the Department of the Treasury. Responsibility for
oversight of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
the Mint, and the United States Savings Bonds Divi-
sion was assigned to the Treasurer in 1981.
14
Bureaus
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
(ATF) was established on July 1, 1972 out of the
former Alcohol Tax Unit of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue. ATF enforces federal laws involving ex-
cise taxes on alcoholic substances, control of
firearms and explosives, and regulation of the
tobacco industry. Its authority is established under
the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun
Control Act of 1968.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
was established as an integral part of the National
Banking System by an act of Congress on February
25, 1863. The Office has maintained its bureau
status throughout its existence.
As the administrator of nationally-chartered
banks, the Comptroller of the Currency oversees
the execution of laws relating to national banks and
promulgates rules and regulations governing the
operations of approximately 4,900 national and
District of Columbia banks; the Comptroller also
supervises a nationwide staff of approximately
2,000 bank examiners. Charters, mergers, and
establishment of branches of national banks require
approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Workers of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing cut and separate
United States paper currency in the Treasury Building. Paper money
was first issued by the federal government in 1862. (Library of Congress)
15
A Customs agent searches a
traveller suspected of smuggling.
The Customs Service is the only
Treasury bureau older than the
Department itself. (Library of Congress)
United States Customs Service
The Customs Service was established by the
Second, Third and Fifth Acts of the First U.S. Con-
gress in 1789, making it the oldest government
agency. The Department of the Treasury was
established two months later, and Customs was
placed within it.
The functions of the Customs Service are to
assess and collect duties and taxes on imported
goods, to control carriers of imports and exports,
and to combat smuggling and revenue frauds.
Customs agents cooperate with other government
enforcement and investigative agencies in the ad-
ministration and enforcement of over 400 statutory
and regulatory requirements involving international
trade.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The U.S. Government began printing money
in 1862, when "greenback" currency was issued
to finance the Civil War. Five clerks working in the
attic of the Treasury Building affixed the Treasury
Seal to the bills. The functions of the Bureau of
Engraving and Printing were formally established
on March 3, 1877.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing designs,
engraves and prints all U.S. paper currency;
Treasury bills, notes and bonds; postage, customs,
and revenue stamps; commissions, permits, and
certificates of award. It is administered by the
Treasurer of the United States.
16
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
On July 1, 1970, the Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center (FLETC) was established for the pur-
pose of instructing agents and officers from various
governmental law enforcement agencies, including
the Secret Service, Customs, and ATF, but also the
Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S.
Park Police in addition to other non-Treasury agen-
cies. The FLETC maintains its principal training
facilities in Glynco, Georgia.
Financial Management Service
Responsible for one of the oldest and most
basic functions of the Department of the Treasury,
the Financial Management Service (FMS) receives
and disburses all public monies, maintains govern-
ment accounts, and prepares daily and monthly
reports on the status of government finances.
While these functions were originally executed
by the Register of the Treasury, the Office of the
Commissioner of Accounts and Deposits was
established in 1920, separating the account-keeping
from the Office of the Secretary. The division was
Salmon P. Chase, the twenty-fifth Secretary of the Treasury,
served during the Civil War from 1861 to 1864. Under Chase
the Bureau of Internal Revenue was established in 1862.
(U.S. Treasury)
17
Taxpayers queue up to pay the first national income tax in 1862,
which was levied to finance the Civil War. The Internal Revenue Ser-
vice is now the largest of the Treasury bureaus. (Library of Congress)
renamed the Bureau of Government Financial
Operations in 1974, and became FMS in 1984.
With the name change in 1984, the Service was
given broader responsibilities, including lead agen-
cy roles for programs to improve cash management
systems governmentwide.
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal revenue Service (IRS) is responsi-
ble for the determination, assessment, and collec-
tion of internal revenue in the United States. This
revenue consists of personal and corporate income
taxes, excise, estate, and gift taxes, as well as
employment taxes for the nation's Social Security
system.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue was establish-
ed July 1, 1862, to collect new income taxes, money
which was used to pay for the civil War. Although
the income tax was declared unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court in 1895, the national income
tax was reinstated in 1913. The Bureau of Internal
Revenue was responsible for enforcement of the
Prohibition amendment in the 1920s.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue was reorganiz-
ed in 1953, and renamed the Internal Revenue Ser-
vice. It remains the largest of the Treasury bureaus,
employing over 100,000 workers nationally.
18
United States Mint
The Mint of the United States was created by
Congress on April 2, 1792, within the Department
of State. The Mint was made an independent agen-
cy in 1799, and under the Coinage Act of 1873
became part of Treasury. It was placed under
auspices of the Treasurer of the United States in
1981.
Mint facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San
Francisco and West Point strike all of the nation's
coinage. The gold bullion reserve is protected by
the Mint at the West point and Fort Knox Bullion
Depositories. The Mint manages extensive commer-
cial marketing programs. The product line includes
special coin sets for collectors, national medals,
american Eagle Gold and Silver Bullion Coins, and
commemorative coins marking national events
such as the Bicentennial of the Constitution.
As the fifty-second Secretary of the Treasury (1934-1945), Henry
Morganthau, Jr. served from after the Depression through World
War II. During his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, he served
as chairman of the conference at Bretton Woods (1944) which
established the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
(U.S. Treasury)
Bureau of the Public Debt
Originally a function of the Office of the
Secretary, the responsibility of managing the federal
government's debt was consolidated from several
divisions into the Public Debt Service in 1920;
bureau status followed in 1940. The Bureau's primary
19
responsibilities are to administer the Treasury's debt
management activities through the issuance of
United States Treasury marketable securities and
United States Savings Bonds, the servicing of those
securities and bonds and the accounting for the
resulting public debt.
United States Savings Bonds Division
The U.S. Savings Bonds Division promotes and
directs the sale and holding of U.S. Savings Bonds
and Notes. These activities originally were part of
the War Finance Division, which was established
on March 19, 1941. Predecessors of the government
bond program were the Liberty Bonds in World War
I and the baby Bonds of the late 1930s. The U.S.
Savings Bonds Division is now administered by the
Treasurer of the United States, who serves as its Na-
tional Director.
United States Secret Service
The Secret Service was created in 1865 for the
express purpose of stopping counterfeiting opera-
tions which had sprung up in this country follow-
ing the introduction of paper currency during the
Civil War. The Secret Service maintains its role as
guardian of the integrity of our currency, but today
FORDEFENSE
BUY
UNITED
STATES
AVINGS
NDS
ON
BANK
President Franklin D. Roosevelt buys the first War Savings Bond
from Secretary Henry Morganthau on March 19, 1941. (Library of
Congress)
20
it also investigates crimes involving United States
securities, coinage, other government issue, credit
and debit card fraud, computer fraud, and elec-
tronic funds transfer fraud.
The most obvious of its other activities is ex-
ecutive protection, which began after the assassina-
tion of President McKinley in 1901. Today the Secret
Service protects, among others: the President,
Vice President, and members of their immediate
families, the visiting head of a foreign state or
government and their spouses, former Presidents
and their spouses, and major presidential or vice
presidential candidates.
This five-pointed badge was used by Special
Agents of the United States Secret Service
from 1890 to 1971. (U.S. Treasury)
21
Appendix I
Secretaries of the Treasury
Administration
1. Alexander Hamilton, New York
September 11, 1789-January 31, 1795
Washington
2. Oliver Wolcott, Connecticut
February 3, 1795-March 3, 1797
Washington
March 4, 1797-December 31, 1800
J. Adams
3. Samuel Dexter, Massachusetts
January 1, 1801-March 3, 1801
J. Adams
March 4, 1801-May 13, 1801
Jefferson
4. Albert Gallatin, Pennsylvania
May 14, 1801-March 3, 1809
Jefferson
March 4, 1809-February 8, 1814
Madison
5. George W. Campbell, Tennessee
February 9, 1814-October 5, 1814
Madison
6. Alexander J. Dallas, Pennsylvania
October 6, 1814-October 21, 1816
Madison
7. William H. Crawford, Georgia
October 22, 1816-March 3, 1817
Madison
March 4, 1817-March 6, 1825
Monroe
8. Richard Rush, Pennsylvania
March 7, 1825-March 5, 1829
J. Q. Adams
9. Samuel D. Ingham, Pennsylvania
March 6, 1829-June 20, 1831
Jackson
10. Louis McLane, Delaware
August 8, 1831-May 28, 1833
Jackson
11. William J. Duane, Pennsylvania
May 29, 1833-September 22, 1833
Jackson
12. Roger B. Taney, Maryland
September 23, 1833-June 25, 1834
Jackson
13. Levi Woodbury, New Hampshire
July 1, 1834-March 3, 1837
Jackson
March 4, 1837-March 3, 1841
Van Buren
14. Thomas Ewing, Ohio
March 4, 1841-April 4, 1841
W.H. Harrison
April 5, 1841-September 11, 1841
Tyler
15. Walter Forward, Pennsylvania
September 13, 1841-March 1, 1843
Tyler
16. John C. Spencer, New York
March 8, 1843-May 2, 1844
Tyler
17. George M. Bibb, Kentucky
July 4, 1844-March 4, 1845
Tyler
March 5, 1845-March 7, 1845
Polk
22
18. Robert J. Walker, Mississippi
March 8, 1845-March 5, 1849
Polk
19. William M. Meredith, Pennsylvania
March 8, 1849-July 9, 1850
Taylor
July 10, 1850-July 22, 1850
Fillmore
20. Thomas Corwin, Ohio
July 23, 1850-March 6, 1853
Fillmore
21. James Guthrie, Kentucky
March 7, 1853-March 6, 1857
Pierce
22. Howell Cobb, Georgia
March 7, 1857-December 8, 1860
Buchanan
23. Philip F. Thomas, Maryland
December 12, 1860-January 14, 1861
Buchanan
24. John A. Dix, New York
January 15, 1861-March 6, 1861
Buchanan
25. Salmon P. Chase, Ohio
March 7, 1861-June 30, 1864
Lincoln
26. William P. Fessenden, Maine
July 5, 1864-March 3, 1865
Lincoln
27. Hugh McCulloch, Indiana
March 9, 1865-April 15, 1865
Lincoln
April 16, 1865-March 3, 1869
A. Johnson
28. George S. Boutwell, Massachusetts
March 12; 1869-March 16, 1873
Grant
29. William A. Richardson, Massachusetts
March 17, 1873-June 3, 1874
Grant
30. Benjamin H. Bristow, Kentucky
June 4, 1874-June 20, 1876
Grant
31. Lot M. Morrill, Maine
July 7, 1876-March 3, 1877
Grant
March 4, 1877-March 9, 1877
Hayes
32. John Sherman, Ohio
March 10, 1877-March 3, 1881
Hayes
33. William Windom, Minnesota
March 8, 1881-September 19, 1881
Garfield
September 20, 1881-November 13,1881 Arthur
34. Charles J. Folger, New York
November 14, 1881-September 4, 1884 Arthur
35. Walter Q. Gresham, Indiana
September 5, 1884-October 30, 1884
Arthur
36. Hugh McCulloch, Indiana
October 31, 1884-March 3, 1885
Arthur
March 4, 1885-March 7, 1885
Cleveland
23
37. Daniel Manning, New York
March 8, 1885-March 31, 1887
Cleveland
38. Charles S. Fairchild, New York
April 1, 1887-March 6, 1889
Cleveland
39. William Windom, Minnesota
March 7, 1889-January 29, 1891
B. Harrison
40. Charles Foster, Ohio
February 25, 1891-March 3, 1893
B. Harrison
March 4, 1893-March 6, 1893
Cleveland
41. John G. Carlisle, Kentucky
March 7, 1893-March 3, 1897
Cleveland
March 4, 1897-March 5, 1897
McKinley
42. Lyman J. Gage, Illinois
March 6, 1897-September 14, 1901
McKinley
September 15, 1901-January 31, 1902 T. Roosevelt
43. L. M. Shaw, lowa
February 1, 1902-March 3, 1907
T. Roosevelt
44. George B. Cortelyou, New York
March 4, 1907-March 7, 1909
T. Roosevelt
45. Franklin MacVeagh, Illinois
March 8, 1909-March 5, 1913
Taft
46. W. G. McAdoo, New York
March 6, 1913-December 15, 1918
Wilson
47. Carter Glass, Virginia
December 16, 1918-February 1, 1920 Wilson
48. David F. Houston, Missouri
February 2, 1920-March 3, 1921
Wilson
49. Andrew W. Mellon, Pennsylvania
March 4, 1921-August 2, 1923
Harding
August 3, 1923-March 3, 1929
Coolidge
March 4, 1929-February 12, 1932
Hoover
50. Ogden L. Mills, New York
February 13, 1932-March 4, 1933
Hoover
51. William H. Woodin, New York
March 5, 1933-December 31, 1933
F. D. Roosevelt
52. Henry Morganthau, Jr., New York
January 1, 1934-April 12, 1945
F. D. Roosevelt
April 12, 1945-July 22, 1945
Truman
53. Fred M. Vinson, Kentucky
July 23, 1945-June 23, 1946
Truman
54. John W. Snyder, Missouri
June 25, 1946-January 20, 1953
Truman
24
55. George M. Humphrey, Ohio
January 21, 1953-July 29, 1957
Eisenhower
56. Robert B. Anderson, Connecticut
July 29, 1957-January 20, 1961
Eisenhower
57. C. Douglas Dillon, New Jersey
January 21, 1961-November 22, 1963
Kennedy
November 22, 1963-April 1, 1965
L. B. Johnson
58. Henry H. Fowler, Virginia
April 1, 1965-December 20, 1968
L. B. Johnson
59. Joseph W. Barr, Indiana
December 21, 1968-January 20, 1969
L. B. Johnson
60. David M. Kennedy, Utah
January 22, 1969-February 10, 1971
Nixon
61. John B. Connally, Texas
February 11, 1971-June 12, 1972
Nixon
62. George P. Shultz, Illinois
June 12, 1972-May 8, 1974
Nixon
63. William E. Simon, New Jersey
May 8, 1974-August 9, 1974
Nixon
August 9, 1974-January 20, 1977
Ford
64. W. Michael Blumenthal, Michigan
January 23, 1977-August 4, 1979
Carter
65. G. William Miller, Rhode Island
August 7, 1979-January 20, 1981
Carter
66. Donald T. Regan, New Jersey
January 22, 1981-February 1, 1985
Reagan
67. James A. Baker, III, Texas
February 4, 1985-August 17, 1988
Reagan
68. Nicholas F. Brady, New York
Reagan
September 15, 1988 -
25
Appendix II
Treasurers of the United States
Administration
1. Michael Hillegas, Pennsylvania
July 29, 1775-September 11, 1789
2. Samuel Meredith, Pennsylvania
September 11, 1789-March 3, 1797
Washington
March 4, 1797-March 3, 1801
J. Adams
March 4, 1801-October 31, 1801
Jefferson
3. Thomas T. Tucker, South Carolina
December 1, 1801-March 3, 1809
Jefferson
March 4, 1809-March 3, 1817
Madison
March 4, 1817-March 6, 1825
Monroe
March 7, 1825-May 2, 1828
J.Q. Adams
4. William Clark, Pennsylvania
June 4, 1828-March 5, 1829
J.Q. Adams
March 6, 1829-May 31, 1829
Jackson
5. John Campbell, Virginia
May 26, 1829-March 3, 1837
Jackson
March 4, 1837-July 20, 1839
Van Buren
6. William Selden, Virginia
July 22, 1839-March 3, 1841
Van Buren
March 4, 1841-April 4, 1841
W.H. Harrison
April 5, 1841-March 4, 1845
Tyler
March 5, 1845-March 5, 1849
Polk
March 6, 1849-July 9, 1850
Taylor
July 10, 1850-November 23, 1850
Fillmore
7. John Sloan, Ohio
November 27, 1850-April 6, 1852
Fillmore
8. Samuel Casey, Kentucky
April 4, 1853-March 6, 1857
Pierce
March 7, 1857-December 22, 1859
Buchanan
9. William C. Price, Missouri
February 28, 1860-March 6, 1861
Buchanan
March 7, 1861-March 21, 1861
Lincoln
10. F.E. Spinner, New York
March 16, 1861-April 15, 1865
Lincoln
April 16, 1865-March 3, 1869
A. Johnson
March 4, 1869-June 30, 1875
Grant
11. John C. New, Indiana
June 30, 1875-July 1, 1876
Grant
12. A.U. Wyman, Wisconsin
July 1, 1876-March 3, 1877
Grant
March 4, 1877-June 30, 1877
Hayes
13. James Gilfillan, Connecticut
July 1, 1877-March 3, 1881
Hayes
March 4, 1881-September 19, 1881
Garfield
September 20, 1881-March 31, 1883
Arthur
26
14. A.U. Wyman, Wisconsin
April 1, 1883-March 3, 1885
Arthur
March 4, 1885-April 30, 1885
Cleveland
15. Conrad N. Jordan, New York
May 1, 1885-May 23, 1887
Cleveland
16. James W. Hyatt, Connecticut
May 24, 1887-March 6, 1889
Cleveland
March 7, 1889-May 10, 1889
B. Harrison
17. J.N. Huston, Indiana
May 11, 1889-April 24, 1891
B. Harrison
18. Enos H. Nebecker, Indiana
April 25, 1891-March 3, 1893
B. Harrison
March 4, 1893-May 31, 1893
Cleveland
19. D.N. Morgan, Connecticut
June 1, 1893-March 3, 1897
Cleveland
March 4, 1897-June 30, 1897
McKinley
20. Ellis H. Roberts, NewYork
July 1, 1897-September 14, 1901
McKinley
September 15, 1901-June 30, 1905 T. Roosevelt
21. Charles. H. Treat, New York
July 1, 1905-March 7, 1909
T. Roosevelt
March 8, 1909-October 30, 1909
Taft
22. Lee McClung, Tennessee
November 1, 1909-November 21, 1912 Taft
23. Carmi A. Thompson, Ohio
November 22, 1912-November 21, 1912 Taft
March 6, 1913-March 31, 1913
Wilson
24. John Burke, North Dakota
April 1, 1913-January 5, 1921
Wilson
25. Frank White, North Dakota
May 2, 1921-August 2, 1923
Harding
August 3, 1923-May 1, 1928
Coolidge
26. H.T. Tate, Tenessee
May 31, 1928-January 17, 1929
Coolidge
27. W.O. Woods, Kansas
January 18, 1929-March 3, 1929
Coolidge
March 4, 1929-March 4, 1933
Hoover
March 5, 1933-May 31, 1933
F.D. Roosevelt
28. W.A. Julian, Ohio
June 1, 1933-April 12, 1945
F.D. Roosevelt
April 12, 1945-May 29, 1949
Truman
29. Georgia Neese Clark, Kansas
June 21, 1949-January 20, 1953
Truman
January 21, 1953-January 27, 1953
Eisenhower
27
30. Ivy Baker Priest, Utah
January 28, 1953-January 20, 1961
Eisenhower
January 21, 1961-January 29, 1961 Kennedy
31. Elizabeth Rudel Smith, California
January 30, 1961-April 13, 1962
Kennedy
32. Kathryn O'Hay Granahan, Pennsylvania
January 3, 1963-November 22, 1963
Kennedy
November 22, 1963-November 20, 1966
L. B. Johnson
33. Dorothy Andrews Elston, Delaware
May 8, 1969-September 17, 1970 Nixon
Dorothy Andrews Kabis, Deleware
September 17, 1970-July 3, 1971
Nixon
34. Romana Acosta Banuelos, California
December 17, 1971-February 14, 1974 Nixon
35. Francine Irving Neff, New Mexico
June 21, 1974-January, 1977
Ford
36. Azie Taylor Morton, Texas
September 12, 1977-January, 1981 Carter
37. Angela Marie Buchanan,
District of Columbia
March 17, 1981-July 5, 1983
Reagan
38. Katherine D. Ortega, New Mexico
September 22, 1983
Reagan
THE OF THE TREASURY
1789
The Treasury Seal became official with Treasury Order No. 212.
signed by Secretary Henry H. Fowler on January 29. 1968. The
seal appears on the face of all United States paper currency.
28
TREASURY
THE RTMENT CAPARTMENT 1789 OF OF THE
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Cheryl hispen 566-5252
abby Gilbert
566-8087
Jim Sperlock- speechwriter
/
447- dollars ?
0193 currency
Hanillt 4280
Butch Vosloh
Spanish milled 357-1795 Dollar
buing sees ?
Smithsonian
TERMS
14th+C 20228 SW
15th St. Side
Bureau of
447-0193
Lean Akbar
533M
COINS
Encyclopedia
Americana
Vol.705
accord with the principles of the new
Establishment of Mints. The first mint was
democracy Articles of Confederation, adopted in
established in Philadelphia in 1792. It was au-
thorized to operate only for 5 years. During the
piece
Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts did
1778, gave the states the authority to coin money.
first 10 years of the mint's existence, several bills
to abolish it were introduced into Congress, and
which
Although Vermont was not one of the 13
one such resolution passed the House of Repre-
idered
so. original colonies and did not become a state until
sentatives. However, the life of the mint was
llar could
1791, its assembly became, in 1785, the first to
renewed for 5-year periods until 1828, when an
to make
regular issue of copper pieces. Al-
act was passed to operate the mint in Philadel-
wo bits."
authorize New York did not authorize a coinage,
phia until otherwise provided by law. The Phila-
several types of cents were manufactured by indi-
delphia mint is considered the "mother" mint,
viduals for use in that state. The right to coin
because dies for all United States coins are made
money was taken from the states by the Constitu-
there.
tion in 1787, and Congress since 1789 has had the
The United States also has mints in Denver
power to coint money and to regulate its value.
(established in 1906) and in San Francisco (1854-
of the Coinage System. Under the
1955, reactivated in 1965 for a limited period).
Articles of Confederation, Congress appointed a
It also has had the following mints, none of them
committee, headed by Robert Morris, to prepare
now in operation: Dahlonega, Ga. (1838-1861);
a report on a coinage system for the United
Charlotte, N. C. (1838-1861), for gold only; New
States. In January 1782, Morris recommended
Orleans, La. (1830-1861, 1879-1909); and Car-
that the monetary standard be affixed to silver
son City, Nev. (1870-1893). See also MINT.
with a ratio of 14.5 to 1 between silver and gold;
Coinage and Coinage Regulations. Regular U.S.
that the decimal system be established; that the
coinage commenced at the Philadelphia mint in
monetary unit be 1/1440 of a dollar, which would
1793. In that year only half cents and cents were
standardize the different valuations of the Spanish
produced. The mint began making half dimes,
milled dollar; and that a mint be established.
half dollars, and silver dollars in 1794 and dimes
These recommendations were approved by Con-
and quarters in 1796. Gold coins were not mint-
1722,
gress on Feb. 21, 1782, and Morris was requested
ed until 1795, when the 5-dollar and 10-dollar
olonies.
to make a further report on his plans. In April
pieces were issued. The first 21/2-dollar piece or
1783, Morris submitted to Congress specimens of
quarter eagle was coined in 1796.
silver coins in denominations of 1,000 units (a
Nevertheless, the Spanish dollar and its frac-
mark), 500 units (a quint), and 100 units (a
tions continued to be the predominant currency
bit). However, his plans for a coinage and a
in circulation in the early 1800's. The use of
mint were referred to a committee and died there.
Spanish coins gradually declined until an act in
Thomas Jefferson, then a member of the House
1857 repealed the legal tender power of all for-
of Representatives, disapproved the Morris plan
eign coins.
as being too confusing and complex. He favored
Metallic Content. In 1864 the composition of
the decimal system but thought that a monetary
the cent was set at 95% copper and 5% tin and
unit based on the dollar would be easier to un-
zinc, and its weight was reduced to 48 grains. In
derstand. Jefferson's proposals were made in 1784
1943 a zinc-steel combination was minted, and in
state
and accepted on July 6, 1785, when Congress
1962 the alloy was changed to 95% copper and
e
seal.
passed a resolution making the dollar the nation's
5% zinc. The rising cost of copper led Congress
monetary unit and adopting the decimal system.
in 1974 to authorize a coin of 97.6% zinc and
In 1787 the Fugio cent became the first coin
2.4% copper, but such pennies were not minted
issued by authorization of the national govern-
in quantity until 1983.
ment. This coin was minted in New Haven,
Bronze was employed in a 2-cent piece that
Conn., by James Jarvis, who contracted with the
was first issued in 1864. However, the 2-cent
Board of Treasury to make 300 tons of copper
piece was never popular and was discontinued in
coin. The Fugio cent has on the reverse a circle
1873. It was the first coin to bear the motto,
of 13 links (representing the 13 original colonies),
"In God We Trust." Salmon P. Chase, secretary
a small circle in the middle with the words
of the treasury, authorized the placing of this
"United States" around it, and in the center the
motto on the coin.
one of
words "We are one." On the obverse there are: a
In response to calls for the use of more nickel
mint.
dial with the hours expressed on the face of it;
in coinage, Congress in 1865 authorized 3-cent
MUSEUR
a meridian sun figure above, on one side of which
and 5-cent coins composed of 75% copper and
is the word "Fugio"-" fly,' referring to the sun-
25% nickel. (Never popular, the 3-cent coin was
tent ob-
and on the other side the year in figures, 1787;
discontinued in 1889.) From 1942 to 1945, when
the Lord
below the dial the words, "Mind your business.'
nickel was needed for World War II, the 5-cent
ence,
in
Because the inscriptions have been attributed to
piece contained no nickel. It was minted with
he Caro-
the
Benjamin Franklin, the piece is frequently called
an alloy of 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% man-
and
the Franklin cent.
ganese. But in 1946 the 5-cent piece was re-
in sanc-
In 1789 Congress directed Alexander Hamil-
stored to its original composition.
the col-
ton, secretary of the treasury, to prepare a report
Because of a silver shortage, Congress in 1965
y nd or ad-
brass
on how to establish a national coinage. Hamil-
authorized the minting of dimes and quarters
the decimal subdivisions and the dollar as the
ton's report, presented in January 1791, endorsed
without silver and reduction of the silver con-
tent in the half dollar from 90% to 40%. The
variety
monetary unit, as suggested earlier by Jefferson,
dimes and quarters become composite, or "clad,"
George
United
and the use of both gold and silver in the stan-
coins having a core of pure copper (which shows
When
dard the money. After much debate Congress passed
as a red line on the edge) sandwiched between
Coinage Act on April 2, 1792. It authorized
layers of a white alloy of 75% copper and 25%
inage,
a mint, specified the coin denominations to be
nickel. The half dollar has a cladding and a core
appear
minted, and established two units of value: the
that are composed of alloys of silver and copper.
is, how
silver dollar of 371.25 grains of pure silver.
gold dollar of 24.75 grains of pure gold and the
A number of gaps occur in the minting of the
ould not
silver dollar, first struck in 1794. Coinage ended
392
FAMOUS FIRST FACTS
by Joseph Kane Nathar
The First
The First
The First
MINSTREL SHOW TROUPE-Continued
blackened their faces. Their popular songs includ-
MISS AMERICA PAGEANT. See Beauty pageant
MOBILE TELEPHONE. See ']
ed "Old Dan Tucker," "Happy Uncle Tom," and
MISSILE. See Rocket
MOBILE TELEVISION STAT
"The Raccoon Hunt." (Carl Wittke-Tambo and
-Mobile unit
MISSILE MAIL. See under Airmail service
Bones)
MODEL SCHOOL. See Scho
MISSION, CALIFORNIA. See California mission
MINT (U.S.)
MODELS' TRAINING SCH
See also Money
MISSIONARY
tematic training of young W
Black missionary to the American Indians was
and mannequins, was official
Assay office building (federal). See Assay office
John Marrant, of New York, ordained May 15,
Chicago, Ill., and was known
building (federal)
1785, as a Methodist minister in London, England.
nequins, the School of Moc
Among his converts were the king of the Che-
based upon the principles of
Coins minted for a foreign government were
rokees and his daughter. (William Aldridge-A
produced by the U.S. Mint, Philadelphia, Pa., dur-
physical action and express
Narrative of the Lord's Wonderful Dealings with
ments, a correct understandi
ing the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, when 2
John Marrant, a Black)
and control toward grace, ai
million 21/2-centavo coins and 10 million 1-cen-
tavo coins were struck for Venezuela. The coins
Methodist missionary. See under Methodist
opment for a definite purpo
were composed of copper, nickel, and zinc and
Church
MODERATOR OF THE UN
had a diameter of 23 millimeters and 19 millime-
MISSIONARY SOCIETY
AN CHURCH. See under P₁
ters respectively. The act of January 29, 1874 (18
Foreign missionary society was the American
MODERN-LANGUAGE SCI
Stat. L. 6), authorized coinage to be executed for
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, or-
foreign countries at the mints of the United States.
instruction
ganized June 29, 1810, by the General Association
of Massachusetts at its annual meeting in Brad-
MOHAIR was commercially
Mint of the United States was at Philadelphia.
ford, Mass. The board received its charter in 1812
Arlington Mills, Lawrence,
Robert Morris, as head of the Finance Department
from Massachusetts.
of the United States Government, laid a plan for
MOLAY, DE, ORDER OF.
American money coinage before Congress on
Foreign missionary society organized by
MOLDED-PLYWOOD All
January 15, 1782. Through his efforts and the coop-
women to send unmarried missionaries to the
Aviation-Airplane
eration of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander
Orient was the Woman's Union Missionary Soci-
Hamilton, an act "establishing a mint and regulat-
ety of America for Heathen Lands, organized
MOLYBDENUM
ing the coins of the United States" (1 Stat. L. 246)
November 1860 in Boston, Mass., by Ellen H. B.
Molybdenum centrifuga
was approved by both houses and signed by
Mason (Mrs. Francis B. Mason) and nine other
November 4, 1958, when a
George Washington on April 2, 1792. The corner-
women. In May 1861, a similar society was formed
cylinder 4½ inches wide a
stone was laid July 31, 1792; construction was
in Philadelphia, Pa., which united with the former
cast at the Albany Metallu
completed September 7, 1792.
to form the Woman's Union Missionary Society
the U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1
for Heathen Lands, which received its charter
metal weighed about 10 po
Mint (U.S.) director was David Rittenhouse,
April 11, 1861. The first president was Sarah B.
denum had previously bee
who was appointed by President George Wash-
Doremus (Mrs. Thomas C. Doremus). The first
cooled copper crucibles to
ington April 14, 1792, and who remained in charge
missionary was Sarah H. Marston, who sailed
this was the first reported
of the Mint at Philadelphia until June 1795, when
November 1861 for Tounghoo, Burma.
casting obtained from pou
he resigned because of illness. (Jesse Paul Watson
Missionary society (colonial) was the New Eng-
MONARCH TO VISIT T
-The Bureau of the Mint)
land Protestant Missionary Society, chartered
See Visiting celebrities: A
Private mint authorized by the United States
July 1649 by the British Parliament to propagate
MONASTERY
Government was the Moffat Assay Office, Mount
the gospel. Missionary work among the Indians,
Zen Buddhist monaster
Ophir, Mariposa County, Calif., built in 1850 by
however, had been carried on earlier by John Eli-
Mountain Center officially
John L. Moffat. The mint manufactured $50 hexa-
ot, John Cotton, Henry Dunster, and others.
Tassajara Springs, Calif
gonal gold ingots used as legal tender to replace
Missionary society organized in the United
Shunryu Suzuki; the first
gold dust and nuggets. Beginning on February 20,
States was the Society for the Propagation of
MONEY
1851, the ingots were made under the supervision
Christian Knowledge Among the Indians of North
Battleship depicted on
of the United States Assayer, and on July 3, 1852,
America, which was founded in 1762 in the Mas-
dollar note issued by the
Congress passed an "act to establish a branch of
sachusetts Bay Colony. The Archbishop of Can-
Boston in 1918. The rever
the mint of the United States in California" (10
terbury persuaded King George III to cancel the
of Thomas Jefferson. The
Stat. L. 11). Augustus Humbert of New York was
charter, fearing it might become a non-Episcopal
of government officials H
appointed United States Assayer to place the gov-
channel of influence.
ter of the Treasury, and
ernment stamp upon the ingots produced by
the United States, and of
Moffat and Company. In 1852 it became the Unit-
MISSISSIPPI RIVER RAILROAD BRIDGE. See
Morse.
ed States Assay Office. (Newell D. Chamberlain-
Bridge: Railroad bridge across the Mississippi
The Call of Gold)
River
Bill bearing the portra
one-dollar silver certifica
Woman director of the Mint was Nellie Tayloe
MOBILE COMPUTER CENTER. See under Com-
ered by the Bureau of E
Ross, who assumed office May 3, 1933. (Records in
puter
the United States Trea
Office of the Director of the Mint, U.S. Treasury
MOBILE POWER PLANT (electric). See Electric
1886. It had a portrait of
Department, Washington, D.C.)
power plant
reverse was in green, C
HISTORICAL
TREASURY
TREASURY
ASSOCIATION
Historical Association
1500 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20220
11,
1973
August 31, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR DAN McGROARTY
From:
Abby L. Gilbert, President alof
Subject: Treasury Anecdotes
Enclosed are materials on the anecdotes on the
President and the Treasury Department:
John Adams on the bucket brigade that doused the
fire in 1801
(See Bratter's article, Banking, p. [4], col. 2;
Calendar, January 20th)
Andrew Jackson's Building location legend
Andrew Johnson's use of the Treasury as a Temporary
White House
Calvin Coolidge and the Butter Club
I have also included information Grant's Inaugural Ball;
a brochure the Department prepared on the Cash Room that
contains the Inaugural Ball story; and some highlights
about the Treasury Building.
I will look in some books on Jackson about the quote
and the legend. As you will see, two different quotes are
given in the sources; at the moment I cannot tell you which
one is correct.
If you have any questions please call me on 566-8087.
X
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING
000000
THE TREASURY BUILDING
The United States Treasury Department was established by an act of
the First Congress approved September 2, 1789. At this time, and for sev-
eral years thereafter, Philadelphia was the temporary capitol of the nation.
In the scheme of buildings to be provided for occupancy by the various
branches of the public service soon to be removed to the District of Colum-
bia were included plans for a small wooden structure to house the Treasury.
This building, the design of an English architect named George Hatfield, was
placed at the northeast corner of the site of the present edifice. It was
completed in 1799 and occupied in 1800, when Washington became the seat of
the federal Government.
Built of perishable material, this the first government-owned quarters
of the Treasury was not destined to remain in existence long enough to at-
tain much historical distinction. It was partially destroyed by fire in
1801. Repaired, it continued to be occupied by the Department until 1814,
when building, as well as most of the records and documents of the Depart-
ment, was consumed by flames to furnish a spectacle for an invading army.
Another building, erected soon afterwards, served as the home of the Treas-
ury until March 31, 1833, on which date it likewise was destroyed by fire.
For sometime after the last-mentioned date the Department had no roof
of its own. Steps were taken to provide one, however, in 1836, on July 4
of which year Congress passed an act, sections 5 and 6 of which authorized
the President to cause to be erected "a fireproof building of such dimen-
sions as may be required for the present and future accommodations" of the
Department. The language of the sections mentioned is quoted in full here
as being of special historical interest:
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, (That) the
President of the United States be, and be hereby is
authorized to cause to be erected on or naar the site
of the former treasury building, or on any other public
lot which he may select, a fire-proof building of such
dimensions as may be required for the present and future
accommodations of the Treasury Department, upon such plan
and of such materials as he may deem most advantagcous;
and that for this purpose there be appropriated out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum
of one hundred thousand dollars.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the material
of which the walls of the Capitol and President's mansion
are constructed, shall be adopted for the construction of
the aforesaid building: Provided, upon full inquiry, a
cheaper and more suitable material cannot be obtained.
And provided always, That the foundation walls of the said
buildings below the surface of the earth and two feet above
shall be of the hardest and most solid rock.
-2-
It was the intention of those who were del egated by the President to
carry out the provisions of the act so to locate the building that it would
not obstruct the view along the mile and a half of Washington's broadest
street Pennsylvania Avenue stretching between the White House and the
Capitol.
Site chosen by Jackson.
If a story that has gained wide circulation relative to this enter-
prise may be credited, the failure to fulfill this intention was due to
the personal interference of President Jackson. Anxious, possibly, to
see the matter under way before he went out of office, and becoming im-
patient, doubtless, over the delay of his agents in deciding where the
building should stand, he left the Executive Mension one morning deter-
mined to sat things going. After he had inspected the stte, so the story
goes, he planted his cane in the earth near the northeast corner and ex-
claimed to those in attendance: "Right here is where I want the corner
stone laid!
Whether or not the incident mentioned really occurred, the substance
of the story is supported by evidence of an official character, for in
1838 Robert Mills, who designed the building that was finally erected, in-
formed a Congressional committee that its "precise position" had been deter.
mined by the "positive directions of the late President.
In any event, the splendid vista eastward from the White House, which
future generations might have enjoyed but for a president's impulsive action,
was forever obstructed when the Treasury structure rose within the lines of
2 thoroughfare whose fame is today country-wide as the scene of great pag-
eants, civic and military.
Imposing Building Contemplated
It seems to have been the intention of the government to erect a hand-
some building without regard to cost, although the ensuing building opera-
tions were apparently carried on without definite plan. As it was, the
project failed to meet the approval of the Congressional Committee on Pub-
lic Buildings and Grounds. In undertaking to pass judgment upon it, the
committee availed itself of the services of one Thomas U. Walker, on archi-
test of Philadelphia. Among other things the committee found to criticise
were the location and plan of the building and the matorial used in its
construction. A report to Congress dated March 29, 1838, embodied the com-
mittee's criticisms. One of the objections made was that if the plans then
being followed were carried out it would be necessary to remove the State
Department building, which at that time stood upon ground now occupied by
the east end of the north wing of the Treasury. Along with its report, the
committee submitted a draft of a bill actually calling for the demolition
of the construction work already in place.
-3-
While the committee waited for Congressional approval of its report
building operations were suspended. Congress evidently failed to heed
the committee's recoumendations, for operations were shortly resumed, and
prosecuted to such advantage that the month of August, 1839, saw install-
ed in the still incomplete building the Secretary of the Department and
members of his official family as follows: the Register, the First Comp
troller, the Solicitor, and the Commissioner of the General Land Office,
the office last named being then a bureau of the Treasury. The Attorney
General was also quartered in the building.
As it stood when fully completed in 1842, the Treasury was much small-
er and less imposing than it is today, having cost something less than
seven hundred thousand dollars. Except on its front or east side, its
outer walls were within the lines of the corridors that now run the longth
and breadth of the building. It contained but 150 rooms, less than half
the number provided after the structure was enlarged to its present propor-
tions.
Had the original design been followed, to erect a building adequate
for the "future accommodations" of the Department the building would prob-
ably have remained without additions or alterations for a long time to come,
the architect's plans having contemplated the expenditure of nearly a
million and a half dollars.
Three Wings Added
Because of the failure to provide for the Department's future needs,
in so far as they could have been reasonably anticipated, it was found nec-
essary in a few years to enlarge the building, Accordingly, Congress, by
act of March 3, 1855, granted the requisite authority, and appropriated
three hundred thousand dollars for the purpose, The enlargement was under-
taken upon plans prepared by Mr. Walker, whose services the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds had requisitioned some years before in their
endeavors to effect a shift of site and change of plans while the work of
construction was under way.
The extension was started in July 1855. By September of 1861 that
portion constituting the present south wing was completed and occupied.
The work suffered more or less interruption during the early days of the
Civil War, but by 1864 the west wing had been carried up to the line of
the present north facade.
Adjacent to the building, on the north, were to be found two other
government buildings: one, housing the War and Navy Departments; the other,
the Department of State, as previously indicated. The tuilding first-
mentioned stood at the northwest corner of the Treasury reservation; the
other, at the northeast corner. These were vacated and torn down to make
room for the north wing. This wing was completed in 1869.
25
THE TREASURY BUILDING
The cornerstone of the United States Treasury Building
was placed, and the building stands where it is, because
President Andrew Jackson did not have patience with a com-
mittee, even one of his own choosing.
Fire had taken two Treasury buildings, and for several
years in the Republic's youth the Department had no building
of its own. After many urgings and delays, the Congress cele-
brated July 4, 1836, by authorizing the President to cause to
be erected "a fireproof building of such dimensions as may
be required for the present and future accommodations" of
the Department. There was an appropriation of $100,000.
It was the intention of those delegated by President
Jackson to carry out the provisions of the Act that the
building should be placed so that it would not obstruct the
view along the mile and a half of Washington's broadest
thoroughfare, Pennsylvania Avenue, between the White House
and the Capitol.
But the Treasury Building planners did not act at once.
They held meetings and talked. Their delay irked President
Jackson. Had the members of his planning committee been
abroad early one morning--and doubtless later they wished
they had--they would have seen the First Citizen leave the
Executive Mansion and cross over briskly with a little group
to the vacant Treasury site. After an examination of the
ground, the President suddenly came to a halt (so the story
goes), planted his cane firmly in the earth near the north-
east corner, and exclaimed to those around him:
"Right here is where I want the cornerstone!"
This story has confirmation. Robert Mills, who designed
the building on which operations were begun in 1838, informed
a Congressional committee that "its precise position" had been
determined "by the positive directions of the late President.
When the Treasury Department was established by the first
Congress, and for several years thereafter, Philadelphia was
the temporary capital of the Nation. Included in the scheme
of buildings for the various branches of the public service,
that were soon to be removed to the District of Columbia,
were plans for a small wooden structure to house the Treasury.
This building, the design of George Hatfield, an English
architect, was erected at the northeast corner of the site
of the present building, or near the corner of Pennsylvania
Avenue and Fifteenth Street. Completed in 1799, it was
occupied in 1800, when the new City of Washington became
the seat of the Federal Government.
This first Treasury headquarters in Washington was
partially destroyed by fire' in 1801. Repaired, the building
continued in use until 1814, when it was burned by British
soldiers; with most of its records and documents. Another
building, erected soon afterward, was the home of the
Treasury until March 31, 1833, when it also was destroyed
by fire.
Then came the cane-planting episode, in 1836, that
gave the building its location and its start. But progress
suffered a long ceries of delays. As the project took
shape it failed to gain the approval of the Congressional
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. In undertaking
to pass judgment, the committee availed itself of the ser-
vices of Thomas U. Walker, a Philadelphia architect. Among
the features which the committee criticised were the location
and plan of the building and the material that was being used
in its construction.
A report to the Congress, March 29, 1838, embodied the
committee's criticisms. One of the objections was that if
the plans then being followed were carried out it would be
necessary to remove the State Department Building, which at
that time stood upon ground now occupied by the east end of
the north wing of the Treasury. With its report, the com-
mittee submitted a draft of a bill calling for the demolition
of the work already in place.
While the committee waited for Congressional approval
of its report, building operations were suspended. The
Congress evidently failed to heed the committee's recommen-
dations, for operations were shortly resumed, with sufficient
result that August, 1839; saw installed in the yet uncom-
pleted building the Secretary of the Treasury, Levi Woodbury,
as well as the Register, the first Comptroller, the Solicitor,
and the Commissioner of the General Land Office. The Attorney
General's offices also were in the Treasury Building.
As it stood when completed in 1842, the Treasury Building
was much smaller and less imposing than it is now. Except on
its east side, its outer walls were within the lines of the
corridors that now run the length and breadth of the build-
ing, and it contained in all but 150 rooms. The building
now (1939), with subdivisions--for many of the originally
spacious chambers have been cut into two or three offices--
contains 475 rooms,
The cost was something less than $700,000. The archi-
tect's plans called for an expenditure of nearly $1,500,000.
Had the original design been followed, with a view to the
"future accommodations" of the Department, the structure
might have remained without additions or alterations for a
long time.
It was necessary in a few years to enlarge the building,
and the Congress by Act of March 3, 1855, appropriated
$300,000 for the purpose. Work on the extension was begun
in July, 1855, on plans drawn by Architect Walker, whose
earlier recommendations had been ignored. By September, 1861,
the portion which constitutes the present south wing was com-
pleted. The work was interrupted during the early days of
the Civil War, but by 1864 the west wing had been carried
up to the line of the present north facade.
Adjacent to the Treasury Building, on the north, were
two other Government buildings. One, at the northwest cor-
ner of the Treasury reservation, housed the War and Navy
Departments. The other, at the northeast corner, had the
Department of State. To make room for the north wing,
these buildings were removed, and in 1869 the Treasury's
north wing was finished.. The construction of this wing
completed a building of a hollow rectangular shape bisected
by a single corridor across the center from east to west,
Thus, after a third of a century, the building author-
ized in 1836 was approximated. The cost of the structure,
with the three wings added, totaled a little more than
$6,000,000; later changes brought the total cost to about
$8,000,000.
Installation of electricity began in the 1880's, and
the development and extension of direct current systems
came as the demands for new appliances grew. The first
contract for general installation of electricity was made
in 1893. This was for a direct current, high-tension system
that continued in use until 1938, when installation of an alter-
nating current system was completed. Change from direct to
alternating current (except for elevator service) was begun
in 1933 and continued over a five-year period.
The rain entrance, as planned originally, was to have
been from Treasury Place on the south. But this entrance is
not even used now, and remains closed. It is the opposite
entrance on the north, perhaps the most photographed, that is
doubtless considered the front door of the Treasury by the
average Washington sightseer. However, the main entrance to
the Treasury Building is the one on Fifteenth Street, through
the colonnade. The entrance consists of five narrow, heavily-
barred doorways, of which but one is commonly used for entry,
the others being used as exits.
The west entrance, looking across to the White House
grounds, is sometimes considered the one intended by the
planners for the front door of the Treasury, but convenience
to transportation and the business district determined that
the opposite east entrance should become the main portal.
In a sunken court on the west side, partially roofed by
lawns and driveways, there is storage place for officials'
cars, and for delivery trucks and vans; coal bunkers tunnel
under the sidewalk, and to the north one of the cooling units
of the air-conditioning system operates beneath the lawn.
The great cash room of the Treasury, arranged much like
the public hall and cashiers' windows of a bank, is on the
first floor behind the north portico. This chamber is 72 feet
long, 34 feet wide and 30 feet-two stories--in height. There
is a balcony all around at the second floor lovel. The walls
of both floor levels are of vari-colored Vermont and Italian
marble panels and trim, between pairs of fluted pilasters.
The capitals of the first floor pilasters are Corinthian.
The capitals of the second floor pilasters are Ionic-Corinthian.
So fine is this room that at the time of President Grant's
second inauguration it was chosen as the most fitting one in
Washington in which to hold the splendid inaugural ball. In
the corridors outside the cash room are cases of exhibits
bearing upon the development and mechanical preparation of the
national currency. Other cases in the building's corridors
contain relics of historical significance.
Entrance through the east or Fifteenth Street door is
to the ground floor of the building, commonly called the
basement, but actually the main floor.
On the ground floor there is a modern emergency room,
with a 24-hour schedule, so as to care for night-shift
employees as well as those who work by day.
The Office of the Secretary
Treasury Department
Its. History in Washington, D.C.
1800-1976
By Donald J. Lehman
Architectural Historian
September 5, 1976
p. 5
New Treasury
The incendiary fire of 1833 gutted the first Treasury
building, leaving smoke-stained chimreys and walls. The
Department declined to consider reconstructing interior
floors, partitions, and staircases and laying on a new
roof as it had done when an earlier incendiary fire,
touched off by British troops, left the Department home-
less in 1814. The refusal faced up to Treasury's need
for a far larger building than Henry and Richard White
had burned to destroy evidence of the false pension
claims by which they had swindled the Treasury.
Controversies delayed agreement on the new building
for three years. Congress preferred the site the Depart-
ment had occupied since 1800. President Andrew Jackson
was animated by far different ideas. He wanted to put up
a building for all the Government agencies. The multiagency
building was an innovation at least a half-century away.
More importantly the President had opted for another site,
Lafayette Park, which had yet to acquire the patina of
social prestige it thereafter lost. Jackson's aspirations
stirred disputes which were a classic prototype of the way
in which conflicting opinions about sites and designs can
stir passions. At last Congress passed and Jackson signed
on July 4, 1836, a bill financing the start of the new
Treasury. The legislation recommended the old site for
the new building but conceded to the President the privi-
lege of picking another. Apparently Jackson, too, was in
a mood for concessions. Accompanied by his Cabinet, he
inspected the old site, agreed to use it, and, within a
few days, supervised the staking out of the ground plan
of the building which Robert Mills had designed. Accord-
ing to an eyewitness, Jackson was a serene observer who,
in spite of a legend to the contrary, used his cane only
to lean on.
For the new Treasury Mills designed one of the foremost
examples of Greek Revival architecture in America. His
plan envisioned an E-shaped building with its long side
facing 15th Street. From the colonnaded front three lateral
wings were to extend toward the President's House, but the
longer pair, at the ends, were to be built later. In the
end Mills's plan was revised, in 1855, and the dimensions
of the north and south wings were greatly altered. Mean-
while, Mills, in association with an able construction
superintendent, Robert Brown, went forward in July 1836
with the construction of the T-shaped structure which
became the east and center wings of the Treasury Building.
Leman study, part II
The 24th Congress had ended its first session on Independence
Day, and the customary burst of legislation included a bill
authorizing a new Treasury and providing $100,000 for its
construction. In the same b-11 Congress authorized a building
for the Patent Office and designated as the source of construc-
tion money the Patent Fund in which the fees of inventors
were deposited.
Jackson was anxious to start on the new one, and he signed
the measure the same day. He wanted to go as early as possible
to the Hermitage for the rest of the sammer. He was tired
and his health was failing. Emily Donelson, was in her
terminal illness. Before he left he not only selected Mills
as the architect, but also focused his personal attention on
all other aspects of the project then in question. He ratified
the selection of a site. Located the building on the site
where he wished it to be buildt.
Mills, then 55, had been engaged in his profession, in training
or in practice, since 1800. (1836).
On the same day that Congress passèd the legislation Mills
applied for the appointment. Fully aware of the existence
of another candidate, Mills wrote a long hard-hitting letter,
reminding Jackson of an earlier application and pointing out
that this was a renewal. Experience, capacity for construction
that was both frugal and fireproof. From this preamble he
went on to note that the House committee had recommended
his plans and to Charge his rival with plagiarism without,
however, naming Elliot.
Robert Mills
This prompted him to point out in a letter to Woodbury that
the Treasury could make "a saving$ of expense on the employment
of my services" to supervise construction continuously. The
suggestion had a cool reception, and early in July 1834 Mills
resigned. As Architect of Public Buildings, by virtue of
Jackson's appointment, Mills beaame an independent officer
of the Government, drawing his authority from the President.
In the same year his design won the competition for the Wash
Monument. more than 35 years of experience when he entered
the climactic phase of his career. Son of a Scottish immigrant,
Mills was born in 1781 in Charleston, S.C. An early association
with Hoban, when the Irish architect practiced briefly in
Mills's birthplace, may have influenced the young man to make
architecture his profession. In 1800 he came to Wash., joining
Hoban as a draftsman. Disciple of the keenest architectural
minds of the day. The first was Jefferson. Undoubtedly a
common interest in architecture first began to knit the
fabric of a friendship that endured until Jeff's death in 1826.
The months at Monticello opened to Mills more than an
opportunity to perfect in practice his professional skills.
He made the most of the chance to study Jeff's well-stocked
architectural library. But above all the young man worked
intimately with his friend and mentor.
Jefferson was the medium by which Mills became Latrobe's
pupil. By Jeff's appointment Latrobe held at the time the
post of Surveyor of the pUblic Buildings of the U.S. "Benjamin
Henry Latrobe, as a man of unremittingly high standards - -
the county's first professional architect. From time to time
Mills had a hand in designing and building houses, public
buildings, banks, churches, and canals. Mills became the
chief assistant and superintendent of all the work in progress
in the city. (Philadelphia).
Destined to rank as the outstanding graduate of Latrobe's
training.
Mills and an associate designed and bridged the Schuylkill
Rive in 1812with the longest single span to that time.
Monumental Church in Richmond and a round church in Phila.
But the outstanding achievement undoubtedly was the Wash.
memorial that he designed Balto. in 1814.
Became the Engineer and Architect of S.C. in1820. He was
the first to propose a transcontinental road, and he urged
the Postmaster Gneral to sponsor a line connecting Wash. and
the Northeast with New Orleans.
In addition to appointing the architect, Jackson selected
the superintendent of construction and the master workmen-
foremen of the stonecutters, bricklayers, stone masosn, and
carpenters--and fixed their salaries and wages. Acquaintance-
ship in the building trades of Washington.
Myth - Jackson walking out a few rods fro m the White House
one morning, and thrusting his cane into the ground, exlaiming
Put the building right here!
July 10 to October 1. Mills noted the laying of the foundation
in August. The cornerstone would have been set at that time,
but it goes unmentioned. Existence of the receipt bearing
the date of May 23, 1834, suggests that Mary Emily lost her
lock when she was hardly five years old. (possibly in hhe cor-
nerstone of the New York eustomhouse).
Construction of the Treasury Extension began in 1855. Length
of 460 feet. Width of 264 feet. Raised number of rooms from
80 to 108 to 132. In his original plan Mills had not
contemplated offices in the basement and the attic. Lack
of light in both areas and dampness in the basement.
Used rock from local quarries known technically as Potomac
mica-schist. It has been quarried for at least a century to
the north and west of Rock Creek and formed the foundation
of the President's House. Later is would be laid under the
Wash. Monument. Granite was Mills's preference for the walls,
but Jacison overruled the architect. Jackson directed Mills
to use Acquia freestone -- a sandstone inferior in durability
amd aitex appearance. Acquia stone dropped from use as soon
as Mills completed the projects that he began in 1836.
Granite and marble were chosen respectively for the extension
of the Treasury and the wings added to the Patent Office,
and granite monoliths replaced Treasury's freestone colonnade
facing 15th street in 1908.
Committee on Public Buildings, the customary shortened form
of its name, had only four. These were G.W.B. towns of Georgia,
who recommended Mills to Jackson, Archibald Yell of ARkansas,
Horace Everett of Vermont, the Committee's lone Whig, and
Charles McClure of Pennsylvania.
Fireplaces were the principal source of heat in the Newj
Treasury at least until the Civil War.
Mills had designed the walls 2 feet three inches thick.
This was a. departure from the standard practice in the era
when masonry walls were customarily much thicker. Bythe
accepted saandard New Treasury's walls should have been 3
feet 6 inches in thickness as a minimum. The leading archi-
tects said that the building was in danger of collapsing.
The thinner walls were a bold innovation in which Mills took
great pride. 1838 controversy.
Levi Lincolnstruck his first blow by trying to enlist Van
Buren in the opposition to New Treasury and to Mills. In
a detailed critique of the plans for the building, which
Lincoln embodied in a letter to the Presidnet, the Whig
presented a threefold censure of the site: (1) inevitable
destruction of Old State, which Lincoln opposed as wasteful;
(2) the site would give the level base of the colonnade an
unsightly appearance, above the 15th street slope; (3) he
declared that it would obstruct the view from the Capitol to
the President's House.
Thomas Ustick Walter in 1855 designed the Treasury Extension,
adapting the style of Mills to a bolder idiom.
William Strickland, who had been an associate of Mills on
Latrobe's staff and Walter studied under him beginning at 15.
The activity fizzled, however, long before a legislative
report on March 29 challenged Mills's competence and empha-
sized the unmistakeble ambition of the opponents to demolish
the building at once--partly because of location, partly
because of design, and partly because of inferior and unsafe
construction. The architect's premise was that New Treasury
should be completed to serve temporarily as a fireproof
home for Treasury and permanently as the General Post Office.
He proposed a large office building--to be ready in two or
three years--for State, War, Navy, and T JDepartments, the
Gov'ts full-fledged departments at the time.
The report, "New Treasury and Post Office Buildings, " is a
document in which Mills was heavily outnumbered. In addition
to Walter's commentary the Committee presented not only its
own conclusions but the observations of a second consultant,
Alexander Parris, whom the Committee retained with Van Buren's
consent on February 28. All three opinions were adverse to
Mills.
The committee tried without success to force the Adminis-
tration to discharge Mills and emphoy Parris as the ARchitect
of Public Buildings.
The publication of the report at the end of March disclosed
that the Committee had four criticisms and Walter five, holding
three of them in common. These presented deficiencies in the
site, the structural character of the building, and the
interior design.
The site, of course, drew the fire of severe censure. The
committee condemned is as "injudicious and highly objectionable"
because the base of the building did not conform to the
grade of the street, because proximity to the street neces-
sitated a pair of side stairs of unequal èength, and because
the building would shut off the view of the Capitol from the
President's House. His chief point (Walter) was that the
building would mask the President's mansion from the Capitol
and fro- F Street, defeating, in part, the purpose of Wash's
radiating streets. Walter considered the site too small and
foresaw an invvitable encroachment on the grounds of the
President's house.
Thin walls and groin arches the hallmark of Mills'a work,
were the target of the most alarming attack in which Walter,
Parris, and the Committee were fully united. They challenged
the structural strength of the building.
The walls of New Treasury were 2 feet 3 inches thick. The
groin arches that sprang from the thin walls dismayed them
even more. The arches, constructed of brick and coated with
hydraulic cement, were Mills's way of fireproofing. This
was a practical end, but the graceful arching contributed
the beauty of symmetrýcal curves to the ceilings without the
distraction of interior columns that would have detracted
from the spaciousness of the rooms.
As the walls rose, Mills's plans required the archès to
curve over and ceil the rooms on each floor. At the time of
the controversy only the third floor remained to be vaulted.
The critics adjudged Mills guilty of an oversight pointed at
a disaster that could not be forestalled without buttresses
or piers, in lieu of thickened walls, and interior columns.
Walter insisted also that Mills's system of pilasters was
fulaty and in fact weakened a structure alreaedy "too week
without them" All this inspired Walter to warn that Mills
could not execute the arching over the third floor with safety.
The lateral pressure, Walter declared, would prove too great
for the exterior walls. The comittee adopted as its own the
conclusions of Walter and Parris that the upper floors were
bound to fall, justifying this step on the doubtful premise
that their consultants were disinterested and Mills was self-
interested.
I
As proof, he listed fireproof buildings that he had designed
or constructed at Charleston and Columbia, all of which "are
now standing as intact as on the day they were finished.' "
Chiding Walter for a factual mistake, Mills reported that
iron cramps didin fact secure the pilasters to the building.
Walter also challenged the interior design. The chief
deficiencies were narrow corridors and darkened rooms in the
basement and on the third, or so-called attic, floor. The
complaint about the lack of sunlight in rooms on two floors
relected, of fourse, the reliance on natural light before
gas and electricity. But in 1838 Walter could count only
75 rooms with sufficient natural light--those on the first
and second floors. Mills refulsed to accept. this figure. He
declared that 129 out of 150 rooms would be suitable.
First three supervising architects of the Treasury -- Ammi
B. Young, Isiah Rogers, and Mullet.
House Report No. 737. This was a bill to authorize the
President to demolish the walls of the unfinished New T.
The specifics of the proposed legislation directed the removal
of the materials to the site of the Post office buidding for
use in constructing a fireproof building for the Post Office
Department.
Lincoln introduced the demolition bill. In the final rollcall
the motion was lost by a narrow margin-61 for to 66 against.
the stonecutters and carpenters were discharged on May 12
after the announcement of a halt in construction.
This added to the heat of the controversy the complaints
of unemployed labor whose grievance was rooted in the history
of Wash.
Lincoln's xapx speech overflowed 15 columns of the appendix
of "The Congressional Glove" with upward of 10,000 words. He
had woven his material into a devastating attack on Mills
whom Lincoln portrayed as a. man without character and an
architect without competence.
The accusations that he aimed at Jackson and Mills, however
disguised or direct, surcharged the controversy with emotion.
A consequent hardening in the Jacksonian attitude was visible.
The third commission was modeled on those that Wash and
Madison had appointed to build the Federal City in the 1790's
and for the r-construction after the War of 1812. Like
the earlier commissions, there were three members--at least
at first. Unlike its forerunners, whose members came from
private life, the new body consisted of Cabinet officers.
The Board concluded by saying that it desired to go forward
with New Treasury, if no action was imminent in Congress. (4/30).
The next day Van Buren went through the formality of halting
the work at New T to await that decision. Misxfix
Lincoln's first attempt to bring up the demolition bill in
April met objection and defeat, viva voca. The more prominent
was a ranking Democratic leader , Churchill C. Cambrelend of
New York, with nearly 20 years of service in the House.
Thman
diceased
3/8/74
The Treasury Building's Legends
There is no need to tell you that your building is per-
haps the most historic office building in the Nation. Only
the White House and the Capitol, among Government buildings,
outrank it in historic architecture and in the train of his-
torical events which have taken place within its walls.
Like most historic places Treasury building has inspired
folklore--tales which give a twist, true or false, to his-
tory.
Surprisingly the building has failed on occasion to give
birth to legends when they seemed in hindsight a certainty.
One such occasion was the decoration of the walls and ceil-
ings of the south wing with frescoes. The first were applied
All
in 1858 to three or four rooms on the first floor. Then
ginemorts.
in 1861 the ceilings and walls of virtually all other spaces
in the wing, including hallways and stairwells, were orna-
mented.
The Treasury Department re-learned of their existence
last August when the third floor's southeast room was to be
redecorated.
Workmen were scraping the ceiling. One un
covered what appeared to be a figure. Wisely the foreman
halted the work to report the discovery. Out of this may
come the restoration of the paintings in whole or part
The knowledge that they ever existed had disappeared.
They had never made an imprint on the written or verbal
page C
histories of the building.
They had not taken on life in
folktales about the building.
In comparison Secretary
Sherman's delight in a custom all his own soon became embedded
in such tales. Sherman, who served under President Hayes,
1877 to 1881, was the first Secretary to enjoy a telephone.
It so fascinated him that he showed it off to visitors by
ringing up a clerk in the appointments division. A soloist
in a Washington church, he would edify Sherman's visitors
with one of his hymns. Of course people talked about it,
and Sherman didn't seem to mind.
The paintings did not have such good luck,
perhaps for
the reverse reason.
The evidence suggests that Secretary
Chase disliked the decorations in the southeast room on the
third floor. He occupied it from laste in 1861 until early
in 1864. Then, as he prepared to move to the west wing, he
peeked at his new offices. What he saw he didn't like. In
a robust letter he told Alfred B. Mullett, then Treasury's
Assistant Architect, to get rid of the ornamentation.
It
violated Chase's sense of "Republican simplicity y
Mullett
had the rooms quickly redecorated in a decor which drew from
a talented observe this description:
"
a nun of a room,
folded in soft grays, with here and there a touch of blue
and gold."
We do not know what precipitated Chase's dislike, but
we know that the painters decorating the west wing included
four or five ornamentalists--even the same painters who had
page 3
decorated the southeast room. There is a good chance that
frescoes slumber under the paint in the west wing. A reti-
cence born of Chase's dislike has buried them for a century.
The famous Jackson stories stand in contrast. They are
still alive even though scholarly research suggests that
the Whigs invented the story of Jackson and the cane to dis-
Leir Brown chairman No ctee of Bublic
credit him. Yet a germ of truth underlays the story por.
traying Buildinto- Jackson demanding in answer the building A here and nowhere ontwilding else.
story.
Actually, in 1836, Jackson wanted it elsewhere--Lafayette
Square to be exact. Congress preferred the site of the
building which had burned in 1833, and Jackson acquiesced.
In going along with Congress, he wanted the building erected
Jackson
on the property line along 15th Street. Architect Robert
Mills would have preferred a 50-foot setback. This is
what earned Jackson the reputation of an irate autocrat
with a cane in spite of eyewitness testimony to the contrary.
Oddly enough a similar gesture by another public figure--
one who outranks even Andrew Jackson--has vanished from pub-
lic consciousness. Early in 1798 the Federal City commis-
sioners began the construction of the first Treasury build-
ing which burned in 1833. L'Enfant's plan of 1792, drawn
under Washington's direction, placed buildings for the
Treasury and other Government departments east and west of
the White House. Their construction was delayed for years
while the Capitol and the White House took shape. On
George Washington's last day in office, in March 1797, he
page 4
approved George Hadfield's design for the first two build-
ings. They were twins.
Washington's successor, John Adams, was less interested
in the Federal City and proved complaisant at the renewal
of pleas to build them on Capitol Hill. The decision in-
furiated Washington, and Adams bowed to the anger of his
predecessor. All this was spelled out in Congress after
the British had burned the buildings. Again there was talk
TAKING
of relocations--even the Capital back to Philadelphia and
HERE.
then the executive buildings, Washington's memory had a
champion who turned back both attempts. He was Joseph
Lewis, Jr., and perhaps a kinsman of Washington's sister
who married a Lewis. With respect to relecating the execu-
tive buildings, here is what Lewis did on the floor of the
House in February 1815:
"He also read a letter from the commissioners of the city,
to General Washington at Mount Vernon, requesting him to
fix on the sites for the public offices, and his answer,
fixing a day for that purpose--and a letter from Mr. Adams,
ratifying and confirming the acts of the commissioners in
fixing the sites of the public offices under the direction
of General Washington.
"Thus said Mr. L., we have not only the opinion of
that illustrious man, as to the proper sites for the public
offices, but we have evidence that ought to saisfy the most
incredulous, that he actually came upon the ground, and
marked the very spots upon which the buildings were to be
placed."
Thus the evidence is that George Washington marked the
site of the Treasury building in April 1798. Almost certainly
he wielded a cane to spot its location. But the knowledge
somehow slipped and faded from our grasp.
7 March 1974
6
at the U.S. embassies in the major world
unbroken line of 341 feet. Inside, fluted Corin-
capitals. Special overseas missions are es-
thian pilasters topped by capitals bearing the
tablished from time to time to handle specific
eagle with lifted wing and the key of the Treas-
projects.
ury Seal flank the broad marble corridors;
sweeping circular staircases with wrought
The beginning of the International Bank for
iron balustrades join the different floor levels.
Reconstruction and Development and the Inter-
national Monetary Fund grew out of the Treas-
The view west from the Treasury over-
ury's exchange stabilization operations that
looks the White House with its expansive lawns
were started in the '30's. The Secretary of the
and colorful shrubbery; to the south are the
Treasury was not only Chairman of the United
statute of Alexander Hamilton in the fore-
Nations Monetary and Financial Conference
court, the equestrian sculpture of General
(Bretton Woods, N.H., 1944) at which repre-
Sherman in the plaza across Treasury Place,
sentatives of 44 nations agreed to a working
and the shaft of the Washington Monument
blueprint of economic cooperation to submit to
cutting through the trees of Potomac Park.
their governments, but also first Chairman of
At the north entrance of the Treasury Build-
the Boards of Governors of the two world
ing stands a bronze statute of Albert Gallatin,
financial institutions. The Bank has authority
the fourth Secretary of the Treasury.
to make or guarantee loans to member coun-
The position of the Treasury's corner-
tries for programs of economic development
stone was determined by Andrew Jackson, ac-
and of economic reconstruction and the re-
cording to the legend that has been handed
construction of monetary systems, including
down through the years One morning back in
long-term stabilization loans. The Fund is
1836, the President, rked because he thought
designed to give temporary assistance to
the committee planning the Treasury was losing
member countries in financial deficits in their
too much time in discussion, stalked across
balance of payments on current account for
from the White House, examined well the pro-
monetary stabilization operations. In Decem-
posed site, then drove his cane into the ground
ber of 1959, the agreement establishing the
near the northeast corner, and said:
Inter-American Development Bank was ac-
cepted by 19 Latin American Republics and
"Right here is where I want the cornerstone."
the United States. Its purpose is to promote
the economic development of its member
The building was first occupied in 1839, the
countries, individually and collectively, par-
last addition completed in 1869. The over-all
ticularly the countries of Latin America.
cost is estimated at $8,000,000.
Although the Treasury Department, in order
The Treasury's home has lent itself readily
to execute its manifold duties, maintains field
to the innovations that have marked the building
organizations in all of the states and offices
construction and improvement industry. For
in most of the nation's principal cities, its
instance, open fireplaces, Franklin stoves,
physical heart is the U.S. Treasury, a five
and now the high pressure steam system have
story Greek Revival structure of granite that
served in turn to heat the structure. Several
occupies a double city block in downtown
of the fireplaces, one of them in the Secretary's
Washington, immediately east of the White
office, are still in use. Today, the U.S. Treas-
House. The building measuring 260 feet east
ury is a comfortable air conditioned office
and west by 466 feet north and south is of
building conforming to all the standards of a
hollow rectangular shape bisected by a single
healthful working environment, yet reflecting
corridor across the center from east to west.
the atmosphere of mellowed dignity that comes
The north, west, and south facades have lofty
with the passing of purposeful years.
porticoes, the pediments of which are sup-
ported by 8 monolithic Ionic columns each 36
A pamphlet is available which contains
feet high. The east facade is, for the most
additional historical information regarding
part, a colonnade of 30 similar pillars in an
the Treasury Building.
The United States Treasury is one of the nation's most historic
Brather 1/1)
buildings and the third oldest continually occupied building in Washington.
The structure is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture
in America, its beauty highlighted by the elegant columns which encircle
the building and the grandeur of the south portico.
The Treasury is older than the Declaration of Independence, having
(32-NLM-1)
been created in late 1775 and early 1776. The formal Treasury Department
was established on September 2, 1789 and was empowered to manage and collect
the revenue, keep the accounts, and execute the sale of public lands. The
Department occupied a building not far from Independence Hall in Philadelphia,
the temporary capital. In 1799 a cite east of the White House was chosen
and before the year was out a small (Tr-1924-1) two-story wooden building, designed
by the (Ir-I-3) English architect George Harfield, was completed on the northeast
corner of the site. The 69 Treasury employees moved into the building
the following year along with employees of State and Navy. This small
crowded Building was partially Divas destroyed contened by to fire corner in 1801, sooner during second which in
event John Adams helped in the bucket line. The building was restored
(Bratter-3/2)
only to be completely gutted by the British Army in 1814. Unlike the
previous conflagration, however, all official records had (2) been removed.
The successor to this building, completed requeste pain by 1812 1820, was burned by
two arsenists, Harry and Richard White. on March 31, 1833, who were
attempting to destroy certain Treasury records which would prove themselves
and others of fradulent conduct while engaged as Treasury agents. According
(Brather 3/2/8
Pension fraud
to the Secretary of the Treasury: "In the late conflagration of the
2.
Treasury building nearly all the correspondence of the Secretary of the
Treasury, from the establishment of the Department to the 31st of March
1833, was destroyed
" (Jr-4/12/1833)
ed
On July 4, 1836, Congress provid, that "the President of the United
States
is authorized to cause to be erected on or near the site of
the former treasury building
for the
a fire-proof (22-7/4/1836) building
present and future accommodations of the Treasury Department." Congress
appropriated $100,000. (1-7-4) It was probably not the intention of Congress that
the chosen site should obstruct L'Enfant's sweeping vista down Pennsylvania
Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.
History relates that President Andrew Jackson tired of looking out
the White House windows at the charred ruins of the Treasury Building,
became impatent at the delays. Early one morning he walked to the Treasury
site and stabbing his cane in the ground near the northeast corner cried:
Hore, right nere is where I want the cornerstone. Thus Jackson violated
the original plan of the ( Jr -1931-2) city. Actually, the building stands where it had
since Washington became the capital (Engstar) in 1800.
Robert E. Mills, the famous Government architect, was commissioned
(Botter-4/2)
to design the large, fire-proof edifice. He designed an E-shaped building
to be located east of the (Br-43/t) White House. The day after Congress appropriated
the money, July 4, 1836, President Jackson gave Mills 24 hours to finish
Brattin H3,
his plans, which were approved on July 6. Work was begun immediately
on the east and center wings. The ensuing building (2r-1924-4-5) operations were
apparently carried out without definite plan and with many delays. As the
3.
project took shape it failed to meet the approval of the Congressional
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Lengthy hearings were held at
which Mills stated that the Treasury's "precise position" had been determined
(Jr-1924-4)
by the "positive directions of the President. " The Committee authorized
the services of another architect, Thomas U. Walker of Philadelphia. The
Committee Report, released March 29, 1838, criticized the location, plan,
and construction materials, and predicted demolition of the State Department
(21-1924-9-5)
building north of the site. Construction was halted while the report was
debated. Congress, apparently, approved of Architect Mills' plans because
work was resumed and by August 1839, although the roof (Br) was unfinished
remana Terronary
could house the Treasury staff and the Attorney (Zuj-I-6) General. When it rained
(1r-19-4-5)
the
officials and clerks sat in their greatcoats (Br-4/3) under umbrellas. The building
Lehman]
moratale
EA-27-47/2)
was finally completed in 1842. President Jackson placed a lock of hair
from his adopted son's daughter in the cornerstone. "I am placing a part of
(Br-43)
my heart in this building.' No one now knows where the cornerstone is
located.
Within 15 years it was found necessary to enlarge the Treasury
building. Congressional approval was granted in March 1855 and the plans
(Dr-I-7)
of Thomas Walker were accepted. From July 1855 to September 1861 the
south wing was constructed. Despite interruptions caused by the Civil
(Jr-I-7)
War, the west wing was completed in 1864. It was in offices on the third
floor of this wing, provided by Secretary of the Treasury Hugh McCulloch,
that President Andrew Johnson graciously agreed to have his offices so that
Mrs. Abraham Lincoln would have time to leave the (Irsine) White House.
00
Department of the Treasury
It has been said that the site of the present
Treasury was determined by an irate President Andrew
Jackson. Feeling that the design committee had
delayed too long in choosing the building's
location, he marched across the lawn separating the
White House and the construction site, stuck his
cane into the ground and established that point for
the cornerstone.
The legend is one of many that surround the
history of Treasury. That history goes back to
early Revolutionary times, needless to say, for
funds had to be raised to carry on the war effort.
On July 23, 1775, a few days after Bunker Hill, a
board of three was appointed by Congress to oversee
the printing of $2 million of bills of credit. It
took 28 citizens of Philadelphia to sign and number
the bills.
At the first session of Congress in 1789 an
act to establish a Treasury Department was passed.
Though Treasury's initial concerns were fiscal, it
soon acquired a wide range of duties that seemed a
little far afield, the Postal Service, the General
Land Office (now Interior), business activities
now handled by Commerce and Labor, Marine Hospital
Service (parent of the Public Health Service),
supervision of the construction of Federal buildings,
the Coast Guard and the Bureau of Narcotics.
01
The Department will portray its history
through a number of media: updating of its
film on the development of Treasury and its role
in government, to be shown nationwide during
1976; exhibits on the creation of the First and
Second Banks of the United States, the National
Banking System, the Federal Reserve System and
the FDIC; a historical exhibit of printed
securities by the Office of Engraving and Printing;
a presentation on the Bureau of the Mint's role
in U.S. history; and a display of Federal documents
in Washington, D.C.
Many unusual occurrences are found in the
annals of Treasury:
Thefts occurred fairly often, but one
received instant attention -- within Treasury --
when several hundred dollars belonging to the
"Butter Club" had been stolen. The "Butter Club"
was set up by employees of Treasury as a means of
saving money on the purchase of butter, which was
acquired wholesale from Tiffin, Ohio at a savings
of five to seven cents per pound. Weekly trade
sometimes ran up to 7,000 pounds. President
of
Coolidge got wind to the club and applied for member-
ship, because the White House was using 30 pounds
of butter a week. Admission was immediate.
When a telephone was first installed in
Treasury in 1877, Secretary John Sherman was
62
greatly amused by the device, which he would show
off to visitors by picking it up and asking for
Dr. Gabriel F. Johnson in the bookkeeping and
warrants division. Dr. Johnson, blessed with a
lovely bass voice, would sing over the phone to
the visitor.
President U. S. Grant had his inaugural
ball in Treasury. Two thousand invitations were
issued, each admitting one gentleman and two ladies.
The affair turned into a debacle -- the crush was
so great that many people fainted and movement was
impossible. When the guests finally decided to
leave, they found that they had been issued no
tickets for their coats and wraps. It took many
until the next morning to find them.
Henry Morgenthau, Secretary during the
Roosevelt Administration, was an extremely astute
man, but it turns out that sometimes he had some
inside help. During his tenure Congress passed a
silver policy that was unpopular with the Administra-
tion. Morgenthau had to meet frequently with
Foreign Ministers whose country's would be affected
by the policy. If it were a Minister whose country
would be benefitted, Morgenthau would station an
American expert on that Minister's country behind
a door facing the Secretary but behind the Minister.
The expert would then signal Morgenthau on the truth
or falsehood of any statement the Minister made.
Treasury Sidelights
During the Civil War there was only a lawn between the Treasury and the
Presidential house. Abe Lincoln often wandered around the neighborhood and frequently
dropped in to see his crony L. E. Chittenden, Register of the Treasury, to talk
politics and swap yarns.
Butter Club - There is a story about Cal Coolidge. Over the years and decades
a number of thefts have occurred in the Treasury. One of the incidents involved the
stealing of several hudred dollars belonging to the Treasury employees butter club,
which was abolished years later by Mr. Morgenthau. The butter appropriately enough
was brought in from Tiffin, Ohio. Participants saved 5 to 7 cents a pound and the
weekly business sometimes reached 7,000 pounds.
Coal Club - There was a similar Treasury employees coal club which, during the
Wilson Administration had Secretary William G. McAdoo as a member. He bought 15 tons
at a time for his Massachusetts Avenue home.
Lost Cornerstone - Like that of New York's City Hall, the present occupants of
the Treasury Building can find no trace of their cornerstone. With the construction
of the successive wings the cornerstone must have beem covered up. There seems to
have been a controversy over what site to choose for the present historic structure;
critics pointed out that it would prevent occupants of the White House from seeing
the U.S. Capitol and vice versa. President Jackson ended the problem by plunging his
cane into the soil and statin, "Put the building right here." At the ceremony for the
laying of the cornérstone, the President was asked for something to place under the
Sidelights Cont'd.
stone. "I'll give something that is very precious to me," Old Hickory said. He
contributed a copy of a message to the Congress and a lrock of golden hair. "I am
placing a part of my heart in this building," he added.. The lock of hair was from
the head of little Mary Donelson, daughter of Jackson'ss adopted son. The child was
born in the White House.
BANKING
JOURNAI OF THE AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
JULY 1963
THE DÉPARTMENT
OF THE TREASURY
MARK
8
Ree
1789
Freasurs Department's - newly created flag-it- first-was unfurled July I (See page 11).
The Second Banking System
39
One Way Small Banks Approach Automation
44
AMER.
A Visit to the
United States Treasury
HERBERT BRATTER
I
N THIS year of the centennial of the
dual banking system which was
brought into being by the crea-
tion, within the Treasury Depart-
ment, of the Office of the Comptrol-
The oldest continually-oceupied departmental building in Washington, the U.S.
ler of the Currency, thoughts turn to
Treasury, as it appeared from the southwest about the time of its completion in 1869
history. The Treasury Department,
whose new flag is being unfurled
this month, occupies one of the na-
tion's most historic buildings, locat-
ter and coal at wholesale prices, with
under one of which there is still per-
ed in the very heart of Washington.
even a President joining in. Those
haps the lock of hair placed there by
In this famous building, past which
were the good old days.
a famous general.
the inaugural parades file, are
Built like a fortress, this financial
During the war Secretary Mor-
reached decisions of the greatest in-
stronghold in fact has been a military
genthau spared no effort in making
terest to the nation and the entire
fortress in more than one war. It is
the Treasury Building the safest
world. With succeeding Administra-
still the strongpoint of the capital,
place in Washington for working or
tions, policies affecting the dollar and
its contents protected not only by
sleeping. As a result, quite unknown
the economy are modified with
stone and solid steel armament, but
to thousands who pass it constantly,
events, but the Treasury Building it-
by the most modern, automatic de-
there is concealed beneath the sunken
self changes slowly. Externally its
tection and alarm systems; not to
lawn just north of the building what
basic features are pretty much as
mention the armed guards who per-
is claimed to be, and probably is, the
they were in President Grant's day,
iodically perfect their marksmanship
best pistol range in the country. 0
with the exception of the addition of
in an underground arsenal.
Originally the pistol range was
the fifth floor. Internally the struc-
The guards' targets are only arti-
used not only by Treasury employ-
ture designed by Robert Mills some
ficial, although the historic edifice-
ees, but also armed guards and police
130 years ago has been adapted to
the oldest continuously-occupied de-
from other Federal agencies who, on
the advent of modernities: the elec-
partmental building in Washington-
Wednesday afternoons, engaged in
tric light, the telephone, elevators,
abounds in live game of both four-
contests. However, today it is avail-
typewriters, air conditioning, and
footed and winged varieties. The
able only to Treasury law enforce-
bookkeeping machines.
former haunt the catacombs where
ment officers of the criminal investi-
Many Washingtonians remember
during the Civil War were stored
gative agencies. These include the
when the Treasury was a much less
2,000 barrels of flour for the Army of
U.S. Secret Service, the uniformed
busy building, when those within it
the Potomac; while the birds in-
White House police, the alcohol and
were more like a large family than
habit the majestic granite columns,
tobacco tax division of the Internal
the operators of a world nerve center.
Revenue Service, and the intelligence
Money wagons casually loaded and
officers of the Coast Guard and bu-
unloaded right at the curb. The Sec-
reaus of customs and narcotics-in
ON THE COVER
retary's family could call up and bor-
short, all who attend the Treasury's
row the department's lone truck
The illustration on this month's
law enforcement school.
cover represents the newly created
when needed to help in moving house-
The pistol range makes its own
flag of the Treasury Department
hold things. All the folks-from the
which was officially unfurled on
ammunition. About 250,000 rounds a
Secretary himself down to lowliest
July 1.
year are fired on the range. Some
clerks-clubbed together to buy but-
commercial ammunition also is used
Reprinted from BANKING-Journal of The American Bankers Association, July 1963
BELOW: In 1861 the old State Department building
passages for the use of patrolling
was on the site where the Treasury's north wing now
guards. After passing the guards,
stands. At the extreme left of the photo is the eastern
facade of the south wing
you'd have to cut your way through a
3-inch chilled cast iron plate, then 27
inches of concrete reinforced with
metal, and finally a 3/8-inch steel lin-
ing. Once inside, you'd find 145,000
cubic feet of storage space.
Even authorized personnel must
follow rigid procedure when entering
ABOVE: An 1857 view of
the vault. No one person knows the
the work then in progress
whole combination to open the door;
on the east end of the south
and whenever withdrawals or deposits
wing
are made, four to six persons must be
present. If the door combination is
for beginners. The spent bullets are
Chinese Indemnity bonds
improperly used, an alarm goes off
melted and made over again right
Sealed package of secret papers
in the building's guard room, which
there. The cartridge cases, refilled
for the Atomic Energy Commission
has direct connections with the city
with powder and flat-nosed bullets,
Five shares of stock of the Un-
police, the Army at Ft. Myer, and the
are thus re-used as often as 30 times.
ion Trust Company, Uniontown, Pa.
local Marine Corps barracks. There is
Each man using the range fires 20
One automatic pistol and hol-
even a delicate microphone system in
rounds per course. Last year more
ster for the Secretary of War
the vault's ceiling to pick up any un-
than 21,000 courses were fired. Thus,
Correspondence relating to pro-
usual sound.
many hundred different persons per-
cedures concerning borrowing ar-
It was after Pearl Harbor that the
fect their marksmanship under the
rangements of the International
vault was designated as air raid shel-
Treasury Building's lawn. The
Monetary Fund
ter for the President and his official
Treasury's "bullet factory" works
In the main vault during the last
family. To the stout roof was added
for Treasury ranges all over the
war, as previously in World War I,
another three feet of concrete, while
country, not only reloading bullets
were guarded the capsules to be used
a tunnel, zig-zag to break the force of
but, at times, repairing guns.
in the draft; and here was assembled
an air blast, was run from the White
now
Although most of the Government's
the greatest supply of narcotics ever
House. Day and night work was
gold and silver is stored elsewhere,
gathered in one place, as well as other
pressed, to the considerable discom-
Love
the main vaults in the Treasury
strategic and critical war materials.
fort of Prime Minister Churchill,
Building contain great valuables, pri-
The principal vault is a huge cube of
then a White House guest in an east
vate as well as public. They hold
steel and concrete, almost filling the
wing room. The tunnel leads to the
thousands of savings bonds left by
north courtyard and bristling with
vault's emergency exit, where the
their owners in Treasury custody,
protective devices. Its main door is
metal door was removed and the wid-
Treasury and other trust fund se-
11 ft. wide, 3 ft. thick, and weighs
ened passage equipped with ramps, so
curities, and mysterious sealed bun-
36 tons. An emergency door, big
Mr. Roosevelt might be wheeled in.
dles guarded for State and other
enough to admit a man, is at the
Although President Roosevelt nev-
Government departments. Here in
vault's opposite end.
er had need to enter the $1,000,000
hundreds of bags, tarnished but un-
To break into the main vault would
underground refuge, it was used for
circulated, are millions of standard
be no cinch. Resting on numerous con-
several weeks during the war to put
silver dollars coined to placate the
crete and metal pillars, the vault's
up some Secret Service men on special
silver bloc of the 1870s and thereaft-
foundations are honeycombed with
round-the-clock duty. Those who then
er; and $1.8-billion of gold certifi-
cates which the Federal Reserve
banks have not bothered to claim.
Not counting supplies of unissued
vauets
currency and Treasury and Govern-
ment corporation securities, the
items in the vaults of the main
Treasury building have a known
monetary value of $49,294,944,504.-
662/3. Included in this figure are the
bags of silver dollars that fill 24
compartments, each holding $2,000,-
000 of the cartwheels. As $1 and $2
Federal Reserve notes are issued pur-
The massive, 36-
suant to this year's new law, the
ton door leading to
Treasury vault may be gradually
the main vault is a
emptied of these coins.
clear reminder that
access to the 145,-
Among the items held for other
000 cu. ft. of stor-
Government agencies and not in-
age space is strictly
cluded in the $49-billion total, are:
limited
slept there enjoyed perhaps the most
expensive lodging in the world. The
100 armed military guards who did
sentry duty around the White House
and manned the anti-aircraft guns
on the Treasury roof were quartered
in the basement near the big vault.
One committed suicide there.
The Treasury Building's military
history goes back 100 years. In Presi-
dent Wilson's time soldiers were quar-
tered there, within easy call of the
White House. Spanish-American war
pictures show Army tents on the
south lawn. All through the Civil War
the building served as a military cen-
The office and the desk of the Secretary of the Treasury as they appear today
ter. In those days no street separated
the
structure
Andrew Johnson held his first cabi-
ter was built the elaborate marble
from the White
net meeting in the office of Secre-
"cash room," still there in its splen-
House and Presi-
tary Hugh McCulloch. For a whole
dor, minus only its old crystal gas
dent Abe Lincoln,
month the Cabinet met in the same
chandeliers.
wont to wander
room, on what is now the third floor,
This gorgeous chamber was in 1869
about town alone,
while Secretary McCulloch made
regarded as the most suitable place
would cross the
available a separate room for the
for the inaugural ball of hero-Presi-
grounds and call
President's office. All this time the
dent U. S. Grant, even though the
Pilaster detail
on his old friend,
White House was unavailable since
wing was still unfinished. So the cash
L. E. Chittenden,
Mrs. Lincoln, shocked by the disaster,
room, along with three other large
Treasury Register Slouched in his
remained in a precarious condition
rooms, was temporarily converted in-
chair, lanky old Abe would talk poli-
to the scene of a memorable event.
tics and swap yarns with his crony.
The stone floor was covered with
At the time of the first battle of
polished wood. Over the west door of
Bull Run, when crowds gathered in
the cash room there hung "a splendid
the street to listen to the distant
picture of the Goddess of Liberty";
rumble of cannon, sandbags guarded
opposite, a portrait of President Lin-
the entrances to the basement and
coln. Upstairs reception rooms were
the steps. Fifty riflemen did nightly
prepared for President Grant and
duty at the Treasury. During the
Vice-President Schuyler Colfax. In
stifling and panicky summer of 1864,
the basement and elsewhere were sup-
when raiding Confederate cavalry un-
per rooms. Outside, along the columns
der Jubal Early could see the Capitol
on the north, gas jets spelled PEACE
dome, Treasury employees, organized
in letters 9 ft. high flanked by stars,
into two companies of guards, helped
A view of one of the six spiral stairs
while below played fountains, illumi-
defend Ft. Stevens and Ft. Baker. It
nated by a calcium light. Two thou-
was their banner, hanging below
and the White House physician, Dr.
sand tickets were distributed, each
President Lincoln's box at the Ford
Stone, would not permit her removal.
admitting a gentleman and two la-
Theater on that fateful April night
Until the Civil War the Treasury
dies.
in 1865 which caught the assassin
Building had lacked the present west
By 10 o'clock the jam was suffo-
Booth's spur and cost him a broken
and north wings. The west wing was
cating. Swooning ladies were being
ankle.
constructed during the war. Not un-
handed about in matter-of-fact fash-
The day after Lincoln's death the
til 1866, however, when the old State
ion, as if it were part of the program.
Treasury Building became for a few
Department Building located on the
When, at 11, the supper rooms were
weeks the nation's "White House."
site was torn down, could work be
thrown open, two-thirds of the guests
For there, on April 16, 1865, President
started on the north wing. In the lat-
could not get near enough to see the
to Junes
refreshments.
Secretary of the
When the guests started to leave.
Treasury confer-
the apparel in the cloakrooms got
ence room showing
shoved about and soon all was a jum-
the famous table
ble, while the tired and angry claim-
around which were
ants jammed outside sweated and
negotiated the set-
tlements of the war
swore.
debts of World War
Hundreds of people had to leave
I. Silver plaques on
with no wraps at all, while many of
the table bear the
names of the dele-
the ladies entered the chill March
gations
night air with but their thin dress
skirts thrown over their shoulders.
the weekly business sometimes
large and fireproof edifice. He de-
Next day there still were guests seek-
reached 7,000 lbs.
signed an E-shaped building to be
ing their belongings at the cloak-
One day when the butter club was
located just east of the White House,
rooms of President Grant's inaugural
in its prime, President Calvin Cool-
but there was considerable delay and
ball.
idge heard about it from a member of
controversy getting the site approved.
Since President Grant's time the
his staff. It probably "burned him up"
President Andrew Jackson, the famil-
building has retained its exterior out-
to think that here he was paying re-
iar story goes, went out one morning
line little changed, although it has
tail prices for butter for the White
and, stabbing his cane into the
been improved in conveniences. Fire-
House table, when all the while he
ground, ended the argument by say
places and stoves have given way to
could have been saving at least a
ing: "Put the building right here.
steam heat and air-conditioning gas,
nickel a pound. And the White House
The very next day after Congress
to electricity; messengers, largely to
using 30 pounds a week! President
appropriated the money, President
the automatic telephone. The first
Coolidge promptly sent an aide to the
Jackson gave Robert Mills 24 hours
phone was a private line strung from
Treasury to ask whether he could not
to finish the plans. Mr. Mills worked
the White House in 1877, during the
get in on the deal. Of course, he was
feverishly from 9 o'clock on July 5 to
Hayes Administration. When Secre-
accommodated.
10 o'clock on July 6, 1836, and im-
tary John Sherman wanted to impress
Treasury employees also operated a
mediately obtained Jackson's appro-
important visitors, he would call up
similar coal club. They would buy a
val of the plans. That same month
Dr. Gabriel F. Johnson in the book-
couple of carloads of anthracite at a
work was begun on what are now the
keeping and warrants division. Dr.
time. Like the butter club, it was run
Treasury's east and center wings.
Johnson, possessor of a lovely bass
by the storekeeper, then Charles A.
Despite continued Congressional con-
voice much in demand in local church-
Fenner. Back in the Wilson Adminis-
troversy over the building, work went
es, would then sing into the Treasury
tration, Secretary McAdoo was a
on and in 1839 it was occupied, even
instrument, to the amazement of the
member of the coal club. He would get
before the roof was finished. When it
guests.
15 tons at a time for his house on
rained, officials and clerks sat in their
Massachusetts Avenue. "All the
greatcoats, under umbrellas.
Record of Honesty
higher ups wanted to get in on those
Although the Treasury, during its
things," the retired Mr. Fenner
Missing Cornerstone
long history, has had some dishonest
fondly recalled. "We were all good
Just when the cornerstone was laid
employees, they have been relatively
friends in those days."
no one knows for sure. For the cere-
few. The vast majority of Treasury
mony the President was requested to
workers have been scrupulously hon-
Its Predecessors
give some article of a personal na-
est, even if sometimes careless. Oc-
Old as it is, this is not the first
ture to be put under the stone. "I'll
casionally charwomen used to find in
Treasury Building to occupy the
give something that is very precious
wastebaskets, or on the floor, small
grounds, for two smaller ones pre-
to me," Old Hickory replied; and at
bundles of old currency sent in for
ceded it there.
the laying, where he was a speaker,
redemption. Long years ago one of
There is a well-known story about
Jackson handed the mason a small
these women, Sophia Holmes, found
President Andrew Jackson locating
box containing a copy of one of his
$200,000 in a wastepaper box and she
the Treasury Building on its present
messages to Congress and a lock of
immediately turned it in. For 38
site.
hair. "I am placing a part of my heart
years thereafter she remained on the
When the Government moved from
in this building," the old man said.
Treasury payroll, a faithful janitress.
Philadelphia to the banks of the Po-
The lock was from the head of little
Early in 1934, not long after the
tomac, the Treasury's staff of 50 were
Mary Donelson, daughter of Presi-
United States Government had called
crowded together in a small two-story
dent Jackson's adopted son. Mary had
in all gold coins and bullion, some-
building on the present site. There
been born at the White House, six
one stole several "gold" bars from a
were four small outbuildings to pro-
months after President Jackson's in-
case in the corridor near Secret Serv-
vide the messengers with convenient
auguration.
ice headquarters in the Treasury
lodging in the primitive capital. Rec-
This tale has a sequel. In 1875,
building in Washington. The bars had
ords were stored across the road in
when Mary was the widow of Texas
been put there as a reminder of what
Sear's store, which soon burned down.
Congressman John A. Wilcox and had
gold looked like. The sign said they
In 1801 the Treasury Building itself
been impoverished by the Civil War,
were gold all right, but they weren't.
was partially destroyed by fire, on
she returned to Washington to repair
The joke was on the thief.
which occasion the venerable John
her fortunes. Too poor to afford a
One of the thefts which occurred
Adams took his place in the bucket
cab, she walked the mile from the
in the Treasury building involved
line.
railroad station to see President
the loss of several hundred dollars
The structure was rebuilt, only to
Grant at the White House. The Presi-
belonging not to the Government, but
be deliberately burned down by the
dent, touched by her story, appointed
to the employees' butter club, an in-
invading British Army in 1814. That
her to a position in the auditor's of-
stitution abolished by Secretary Mor-
building's successor, not completed
fice in the Treasury. There she
genthau. The butter club was a co-
until 1820, was badly damaged by an
worked for many years, close to her
operative begun in 1914, when a
arsonist named Harry White and his
lock of baby hair. Mrs. Wilcox lived
Southern Express Co. delivery man
brother, so as to destroy certain
on in Washington until her death in
started bringing in butter from the
Treasury records about them. Robert
1905, but there is now no one in the
country. Employees participating
Mills, the famous Government archi-
Treasury who remembers even where
saved from 5 to 7 cents a pound and
tect, was then commissioned to plan a
the cornerstone is.
Sooty and streaked, the massive
White House from the thousands who
lunch, specimens of all trick devices
three-acre structure forms a hollow
periodically march up Pennsylvania
known to counterfeiters, and several
rectangle divided by a center wing.
Avenue, is today a quite safe reposi-
thick columned rooms which look ex-
What were originally two courtyards
tory for gold, silver, banknotes, and
actly like the crypt of St. Paul's Ca-
-designed to be laid out with foun-
numerous Government securities.
thedral.
tains, grass, and shrubbery in the
The Treasury guards with equal care
As time is reckoned in the United
thought that the "terraces, corridors,
and fidelity General Washington's ac-
States, the Treasury is one of the na-
and colonnade will form ample and
count book, in his own handwriting,
tion's historic buildings. From this
agreeable promenades for the health-
and nine boxes of worthless New Or-
headquarters have been financed five
ful exercise of the officers of the de-
leans and Louisiana bonds captured
major wars. From it were launched
partment during leisure moments"
by General P. H. Sheridan at Shreve-
the national bank and Federal Re-
now contain the cafeteria and the
port in 1865.
serve systems. Here were issued the
main vault. It was in the courtyards
greenbacks of Civil War days; and
that the Fifth Massachusetts Regi-
Building Offers
the shinplasters and silver certificates
ment, quartered in the building dur-
Varied Facilities
which followed that struggle. Here,
ing the Civil War, cooked its meals.
The building boasts such varied
too, were shaped the Liberty Bond
And there, late in the century, were
facilities as its own official telegraph
and Savings Bond drives of later
daily stored the hundreds of bicycles
room, a public post office, an exclu-
times.
of employees who used that means of
sive motion picture theater with
Here every day are made decisions
transportation.
just 32 commodious chairs, a cafe-
which affect the whole nation and the
This granite pile, which hides the
teria that serves breakfast as well as
financial structure of the world.
gone
aprl/6-june 8,1865
Presidential Office
PROGRESS
THROUGH
1863
1963
SERVICE
A
CENTURY
OF
COMMERCIAL BANKING
in the Treasury
H
UGH McCULLocH, the Indiana
dallion on its back, while carved win-
Mr. Johnson was assigned for tem-
banker who came to Washing-
dow-cornices each hold in their cen-
porary use as his office the room ad-
ton to oppose the national
ters the gilded scales of justice above
joining Mr. McCulloch's office. Two
banking system and remained to
the Key of the Treasury. A full
additional rooms beyond, it is said,
serve as the first Comptroller of the
length mirror is placed between these
were set aside to serve as Mr. John-
Currency, was Secretary of the
windows. On one side of the room is a
son's bedroom and kitchen. These fa-
Treasury the night Lincoln was shot
bookcase, in which the works of
cilities President Johnson used for
and Secretary of State W. H. Seward
Webster, Calhoun, Washington, and
nearly eight weeks, until June 8,
was severely stabbed.
Jefferson are conspicuous. The walls
when Mrs. Lincoln vacated the White
Early the next morning, in a letter
are frescoed in neutral tints and the
House.
signed by all the other Cabinet mem-
only pictures on them are chromo
Of his first days in his Treasury
bers, Mr. McCulloch urged Vice-
portraits of Lincoln and Grant."
suite, the New York Tribune re-
President Andrew Johnson to enter
ported that the President "usually
upon the duties of President imme-
Connecting Room
receives visitors for about five hours
diately. This the grief-stricken An-
Besides this private office, the Sec-
daily, being kept nearly all that time
drew Johnson did the same morning
retary and his staff also occupied a
on his feet. Today at two o'clock
and after the swearing-in ceremony,
connecting room. At the Sunday Cab-
there were about 100 persons waiting
Mr. McCulloch recorded, Mr.
inet meeting mentioned above, dur-
to see him." President Johnson was
Johnson "requested the members of
ing which Secretary of War Stanton
in such constant pain from an old
the Cabinet to remain with him
vehemently pleaded with the Presi-
ailment that he often stood for hours
and expressed to each and all of us
dent to offer a $100,000 reward for
to gain relief.
his desire that we should stand by
the capture of Jefferson Davis on the
The President's Treasury office
him in his difficult and responsible
alleged grounds that he had con-
had to be used for both business and
position."
spired with the assassination group,
President Johnson ordered that
Mrs. Lincoln, who had suffered a
grave nervous collapse, be given the
best of care and no thought be given
to moving her from the White House.
Andrew Johnson's first official act
was to call a Cabinet meeting for
noon of the following day, Sunday,
April 16, 1865, in the office of the
Secretary of the Treasury, on what
was then called the second floor but
is now called the third floor of the
historic Treasury Building. Mr. Mc-
Culloch's suite looked west, across
pleasant gardens and two sparkling
fountains, to the White House. The
street which now intervenes did not
then exist.
The serenity of the prospect from
the windows was matched by the at-
mosphere within the offices. A con-
temporary, Mary Clemmer Ames,
has left us this description: "It is a
nun of a room, folded in soft grays,
This unique teapot was used by President Andrew Johnson when he occupied offices
with here and there a touch of blue
in the Treasury immediately following the assassination of President Lincoln. A
and gold. The velvet carpet is gray;
gift from France to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, the vessel was
the furniture oiled black walnut, up-
sold at auction after the evacuation of Richmond and was presented by its buyer
to President Johnson. A few years ago the locomotive was traced to a descendent of
holstered with blue cloth, with each
Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Margaret Patterson Bartlett, at Greenville, Tenn., where it is
chair and sofa bearing 'U.S.' in a me-
now one of the exhibits in the Andrew Johnson National Monument
short time by a national calamity. I
by the bitterness of their tone-their
PROGRESS
trust not too much will be expected
almost savage denunciations of seces-
THROUGH
1863
1963
SERVICE
of us. We will not put on airs." Her
sionists as traitors who merited the
demeanor drew favorable attention.
traitor's doom.
CENTURY
OF
COMMERCIAL BANKING
The Tribune reported: "The simple,
unaffected grace of this lady, and
The President's tea was prepared
her entire freedom from pretension,
in an elaborate porcelain, silver, and
either in garb or manner, attracted
brass replica of a locomotive and
social purposes. A colorful event
highly favorable comment."
tender, made in France as a gift for
which took place on April 20, 1865,
During the weeks when President
the Confederate President Jefferson
the fifth day of the new Administra-
Johnson's letters were headed "Ex-
Davis and owned by him until the
tion, was the first reception of the
ecutive Office, Treasury Building,"
evacuation of Richmond. After Mr.
diplomatic corps. The pillar in the
diplomats, legislators, state delega-
Davis' capture the tea vessel was
President's room was draped in
tions, politicians, newspapermen, of-
bought at auction by Mr. A. Barratti
mourning for the martyred Lincoln,
fice seekers, and plain citizens
and presented to President Johnson,
as may be seen in the sketch pre-
thronged the premises. Hugh McCul-
the only gift he accepted while in the
pared by an artist for Frank Leslie's
loch later wrote the following descrip-
Treasury Building. A steam whistle
tion of the period:
on the locomotive announced when
Illustrated Newspaper.
the tea in the boiler was ready. The
The President's Daughter
For six [nearly eight] weeks after
tender carried sugar, cognac glasses,
At an early social function in this
he became President, he occupied a
and a cognac bottle. On its sides were
Treasury room, during the absence
room adjoining mine and communi-
cigar racks. Within was a tiny music
of Mrs. Johnson, the President's eld-
cating with it. He was there every
box that played eight tunes. On the
est daughter assisted. She was Mar-
morning before nine o'clock and he
locomotive's side was boldly embla-
rarely left before 5:00 p.m. There
tha Patterson, wife of the Tennessee
zoned "President Jefferson Davis."
was no liquor in his room. It was open
Senator, who had been educated in
Locomotive and tender comprised an
to everybody. His luncheon, when he
Washington while her father was in
interesting and decorative conversa-
had one, was, like mine, a cup of tea
the Senate. To reporters she said:
tion piece in the President's room.
and a cracker.
"We are plain people from the moun-
It was there that he made the
It was in the Treasury Building
tains of Tennessee, called here for a
speeches which startled the country
that President Johnson signed the
order designating a military com-
mission for the trial of persons im-
PHOTO FOR BANKING BY RENI
The upper illustration,
plicated in President Lincoln's as-
taken from Frank Leslie's
sassination. Here, also, on May 2,
Illustrated Newspaper,
1865, he proclaimed rewards for the
shows a reception held by
arrest of Jefferson Davis and four
President Andrew Johnson
others. And here Mr. Johnson issued
for the diplomatic corps in
his office in the Treasury.
his famous reconstruction proclama-
The black crepe around
tion in an effort to carry out Mr.
the pillar was put up in
Lincoln's policy for the South.
mourning for the recently
assassinated President Lin-
Mrs. Johnson Arrives
coln. The illustration below
shows the same room as it
On June 7, 1865, President John-
looks today. In 1865 this
son's family arrived and the new
room was Secretary McCul-
First Lady came to the President's
loch's anteroom, and now
serves as an anteroom for
suite in the Treasury Building. The
Assistant Secretary of the
great suffering, bereavement, and
Treasury John C. Bullitt.
persecution she had experienced dur-
Although not visible in the
ing the war had broken her health.
photo, the room still con-
Whereas her husband could not com-
tains a chair and a settee
which were there in Presi-
fortably remain seated, Mrs. Johnson
dent Johnson's time, each
was unable to remain standing. With
of which bears carved on
"her sad, pale face and sunken eyes,"
PHOTO FOR BANKING BY RENI
the back the letters "U.S."
to all who greeted her she apologized
The old chandelier now
for not rising by saying simply, "I
hanging in the room was
originally designed for gas,
am an invalid." Of her the New York
but was not part of the
Tribune said: "It was that woman
room's original furnish-
who taught the future President how
ings. In addition to this
to write, and continued to teach him
room as his office, President
Johnson had two other
after she became his wife; who in all
rooms in the Treasury,
their early years was his assistant,
which he used as a bed-
counselor, and guide; a noble wom-
room and kitchen during
an, God's best gift to man."
the eight weeks when this
On June 9 the Johnsons moved
was the "Executive Man-
sion"
into the White House.-H. B.
Reprinted from Bankers Monthly Magazine issue of December 15, 1972
Washington Finance
THE TREASURY BUILDING
-A NATIONAL LANDMARK
The long history of this citadel of federal finance
is replete with colorful, often amusing incidents.
By HERBERT BRATTER
Washington Correspondent
OW it is official. In a ceremony on
ing facilities had been installed. Until
us pause to mention a few. After Presi-
N
the south steps of the building
the numismatic rush for standard sil-
dent Lincoln's assassination his widow
which houses the offices of Sec-
ver dollars a few years ago, that vault
was so prostrated that she was al-
retary George P. Shultz and his top
contained, among many other valu-
lowed to retain her occupancy of the
aides the impressive structure was for-
ables, hundreds of bags of those coins
White House. Consequently President
mally designated as a National His-
which the public would not use but
Andrew Johnson had his office and
toric Landmark. No other govern-
which the Congressional silver block
living quarters in a Treasury suite
ment department has occupied its
had forced the Treasury to mint. There
overlooking the real Presidential man-
present headquarters as long as the
is no mint in Washington, but the
sion. During the Civil War there was
Treasury has been in this financial
Director of the Mint-now Mrs. Mary
only a lawn between the Treasury and
fortress. In recognition of the times
T. Brooks-has her office there.
the Presidential house. Abe Lincoln
in which we live, each door giving ac-
The edifice provides offices for the
often wandered around the neighbor-
cess to the building from the basement,
Comptroller of the Currency and his
hood and frequently dropped in to see
the street floor and the second floor,
Washington staff. In the early years
his crony L. E. Chittenden, Register
as well as the Secretary's and Under
when the Secretary of the Treasury
of the Treasury, to talk politics and
Secretaries' offices, is guarded by one
was ex-officio a member of the Federal
swap yarns.
or more armed guards.
Reserve Board the latter had their
A Secret Service story relates to
The Treasury Building is well known
quarters on what is now the third
Secretary Morgenthau, who often
to the thousands who have partici-
floor. Still another bureau of the de-
brought his great dane, named Dano,
pated in Inauguration Day parades
partment, the Secret Service, which is
to the office. Dano usually stretched
up Pennsylvania Avenue, as well as
responsible for the safety of the Presi-
out before the fireplace. Under the
other processions. In all of these, in-
dent and the detection of currency
rug on which the Secretary's knee-hole
cluding the victorious Union Army at
counterfeiters, as well as forgers of
desk rested was an alarm button
the end of the Civil War, the marchers
government checks, for many years
which, by a tap of the foot, would
on their way to the White House must
had its headquarters here. The build-
sound in the Secret Service headquar-
turn to pass the east wing and again
ing has a branch office of the Postal
ters. Once while talking with the
the north wing of the historic struc-
Service, a telegraph room, and a small
Chinese Ambassador FDR's Treasury
ture. Few who pass know that under
movie theater where Secretary of the
head was surprised to see Chief Wilson
the emerald green lawn at the north-
Treasury John W. Snyder and others
and several agents, all armed, rush
east corner of the grounds is a much
regularly viewed newsreel films. On
into his sanctum. To the astonishment
used pistol range which makes its own
the top floor is an assay laboratory be-
of all, including Dano, the dog was
bullets and which is used by the U.S.
longing to the Mint Bureau and an
hauled out of the cubbyhole.
Secret Service, itself a part of the
excellent and efficient library. Where
On another occasion, in the days
Treasury Department, as well as by
once the south court was used as a
when the Roosevelt Administration
guards from many other government
storehouse for flour by the Army dur-
was carrying out a Congressional sil-
agencies.
ing the Civil War there is now an
ver policy it did not want, the Finance
In what once was the north court
airconditioned cafeteria, thanks to Sec-
Minister of a country benefitting from
of the building, used by employees to
retary Henry F. Morgenthau, who was
that program was seated with his back
"park" their bicycles, stands the great
always solicitous of the welfare of his
to the door leading to the Secretary's
vault. During World War II a zig-zag
employees.
private elevator. The door was ajar
tunnel was built to enable the Presi-
Sidelights. The building has been
and Mr. Morgenthau could see an
dent and his Cabinet to take refuge
the source of many anecdotes, so in
American who lived in the finance
in this vault, where first aid and sleep-
our rambling through its corridors let
minister's country and was well in-
formed on silver, seated on a chair.
Whenever the visiting official made a
statement, the hidden American sig-
nalled to the Treasury boss: thumb
up for "true," thumb down for "un-
true."
The Treasury Building in its long
life has seen many changes. Two
earlier Treasury buildings, small ones,
stood on part of the present site. They
were burned: one by the British in-
vaders during the War of 1812, the
other by an arsonist named Harry
White and his brother. In 1836 the
Congress authorized construction of a
fireproof Treasury Building and what
is now the east wing and the central
corridor was built. The three other
wings, south, west and north were
The new treasury building shown above in its initial construction stage in 1857, was visited on this
added in that order. By 1869 the con-
occasion by President James Buchanan, seated right foreground. The old State Department Building
in the background was then located on Pennslyvania Avenue east of the White House. In the photo
struction was completed. The fifth
below the Treasury Building is shown taking on more additions obstructing Pennsylvania Avenue, right,
floor was added much later. Improve-
looking toward the Capitol, which had not then acquired its dome. (National Archives Photos)
ments came along gradually; gas light,
electricity, telegraph and telephone,
elevators, air conditioning, photostats,
typewriters and copying machines.
John Sherman was the Secretary in
1877 when a phone line was connected
with the White House. He was tickled
with its novelty. When he had visitors
whom he wanted to impress he would
phone the bookkeeping and warrants
division and ask for Dr. Gabriel F.
Johnson, who possessed a lovely bass
voice that was regularly heard in local
church services. Dr. Johnson would
sing into the phone and all listeners
were enchanted.
Butter Club. There is a story about
Cal Coolidge. Over the years and de-
cades a number of thefts have occurred
in the Treasury. One of the incidents
involved the stealing of several hund-
red dollars belonging to the Treasury
employees butter club, which was
abolished years later by Mr. Morgen-
thau. The butter appropriately enough
was brought in from Tiffin, Ohio. Par-
ticipants saved 5 to 7 cents a pound
and the weekly business sometimes
reached 7,000 pounds. One day the
President heard about the butter club.
He had been paying retail prices for
butter for the White House table,
which used 30 pounds a week. Mr.
Coolidge applied for membership in
the club. He was immediately ad-
mitted.
There was a similar Treasury em-
ployees coal club which, during the
Wilson Administration had Secretary
William G. McAdoo as a member. He
Once the setting for President Ulysses Grant's inaugural ball, the new cash room at the Treasury
bought 15 tons at a time for his
Department looked like this in 1873. Today it is still used for the same purpose, as a bank within the
Massachusetts Avenue home. The but-
Treasury Building, retaining the same marble-walled splendor and wrought iron balustrade.
ter and coal business was handled by
President Grant. Touched by her
of the crowd could not even get within
the Treasury storekeeper, Charles A.
story, the President arranged for Mrs.
sight of the refreshments. One unruly
Fenner. Interviewed by the writer, Mr.
Wilcox to go on the staff of the Audi-
group stamped through the pantry to
Fenner reminisced: "All the higher ups
tor's office in the Treasury. There she
get close to the food, but were foiled
wanted to get in on those things. We
worked many years, close to her lock
by a stout cook standing by a tub of
were all good friends in those days."
of baby's hair until her death in 1905.
dishwater in their path and whirling
Noona, Secretary McAdoo's daugh-
During the New Deal years the
a dripping cloth. It was getting late.
Treasury employed a handwriting ex-
The celebrants fought their way to
ter often requisitioned the Treasury's
pert named Felice A. King. We might
the upstairs cloakrooms, where the
3/4-ton Hupmobile truck, and when
dub her "official forger." She could
improvised attendants earlier had
she married asked for it to move her
things. The McAdoos used the truck
copy exactly the signatures of Presi-
checked the visitors' wraps and then
laid the latter down without reference
also for their vacation baggage. Before
dent Roosevelt, Secretary Morgen-
to the check numbers.
the truck was acquired, the depart-
thau, Congressman Doughton, or al-
ment's hauling was done by a one-
most anyone else, including this
When the celebrants called for their
horse delivery wagon, while two or
writer, so that no one could dis-
garments nothing could be found with-
three times a week a two-horse cart
tinguish the original from the copied
out painstaking personal examination
loaded currency at a platform outside
"John Hancock." Thousands of letters
of everything in the checkroom. Ap-
of the bicycle door, where now every
purporting to bear the signature of
parel got shoved about, while the
morning you may see Brinks and other
Secretary Morgenthau were mailed
tired and angry claimants became ever
armored cars. When the platform was
without ever having been seen by the
more tired and angry. A few entered
removed in 1911 it was carved into
sender.
a barred checkroom through a tran-
canes and other souvenirs. President
som. Two men fainted. Buffetted in
Affair To Remember. One of the
Taft and Secretary Franklin McVeagh
the throng on one staircase was the
most memorable events associated
each received a walking stick. Several
distinguished elderly editor of the New
with the Treasury Building was the
granite hitching posts still stand at
York Tribune, Horace Greeley. For
U. S. Grant inaugural ball held in the
the curbs around the building, close
two hours he stood in the deafening
north wing, which was still not quite
to "no parking" signs.
din, waiting to get his white coat and
finished. The great ball was held in
swearing audibly. "He certainly did
Lost Cornerstone. Like that of New
the ornate cash room which still is
curse most ferociously," the next day's
York's City Hall, the present occu-
there, minus its old crystal gas
Star reported.
pants of the Treasury Building can
chandeliers. The stone floor of the cash
find no trace of their cornerstone. With
room was covered with polished wood.
The ladies were more quickly ad-
mitted to their cloakrooms but in
the construction of the successive
Over the cash room's west door was
wings the cornerstone must have been
hung "a splendid picture of the God-
place of their elegant opera wraps
covered up. There seems to have been
dess of liberty" facing a portrait of
found either common coats or nothing
a controversy over what site to choose
Abraham Lincoln. Bands played not
at all. Some had to wait, bewildered,
only in the cash room but in several
for their escorts, who were unexplain-
for the present historic structure;
critics pointed out that it would pre-
other parts of the building. To co-
ably detained upstairs, until five a.m.
vent occupants of the White House
ordinate the music telegraph wires
Many a couple never found their gar-
from seeing the U. S. Capitol and vice
were strung about the building. The
ments. Even the following day some
unfinished stairways were fitted with
of the celebrants were back in the
versa. President Andrew Jackson
ended the problem by plunging his
temporary balustrades and were
Treasury seeking their belongings.
cane into the soil and stating, "Put
thronged with the visiting gentry. Up-
Money Nerve Center. In this his-
the building right here." At the cere-
stairs were reception rooms for the hero
toric building tremendous financial
mony for the laying of the cornerstone,
President and Vice President Schuyler
powers of the government are formu-
the President was asked for something
Colfax. Outside the north wing gas
lated and executed. Policies carried
to place under the stone. "I'll give
jets spelled out PEACE in letters nine
out by the Treasury affect the financ-
something that is very precious to
feet high, flanked by stars. Down-
ing of war and peace, the management
me," Old Hickory said. He contributed
stairs were various supper rooms. Two
of the nation's economy, the price of
a copy of a message to the Congress
thousand invitations had been issued,
gold and of silver, the stability of the
and a lock of golden hair. "I am plac-
each admitting a gentleman and two
dollar, commercial banking, the en-
ing a part of my heart in this building,"
ladies.
graving and printing of our banknotes,
he added. The lock of hair was from
the coining of our metallic money,
Upstairs were improvised dressing
the head of little Mary Donelson,
the Internal Revenue Service, the
rooms manned by barbers and coif-
daughter of Jackson's adopted son.
battle against drugs, collection of the
The child was born in the White
fures, bootblacks, and tailors and
income tax and of other major taxes,
House.
seamstresses to repair any minor dam-
the sale of savings bonds, and the
age caused by the throng. By 10
federal budget. The list is long.
Many years later, in 1875, Mary, by
o'clock the was suffocating;
then the impoverished widow of Texas
Decisions made in this financial
Congressman John A. Wilcox, came
swooning ladies were being casually
stronghold are felt around the world.
to Washington to look for a job. She
passed about as if part of the even-
No nation, however small, is unaf-
walked the mile between the railroad
ing's program. When the supper rooms
fected by what transpires in this Na-
station and the White House to see
were opened at 11 o'clock, two thirds
tional Historic Landmark.
GRANT'S INAUGURAL BALL-MARCH 4, 1869
By Elizabeth (Sandy) Amann
Of all the celebrations of Ulysses S. Grant's first inauguration, perhaps none was more
memorable than the Inaugural Ball. Unfortunately, however, the Ball is more remembered
for its problems than for its successes.
The Treasury Building's north wing, still under construction, was the site of the
festivities. Dining rooms were set up downstairs, reception rooms upstairs, and the floor of
the elegant marble Cash Room (known then as the Marble Room), was covered with polished
wood for dancing to the music of the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Portraits of the Goddess of
Liberty and Abraham Lincoln faced each other from opposite sides of the room, and outside
gas jets spelled PEACE in nine-foot high letters amidst an early March snowstorm.
Grant's inauguration had attracted a record-breaking crowd, and more than 2,000
tickets to the Ball had been sold at $10 apiece, each allowing a gentleman and two ladies to
attend. From 5,000 to 6,000 persons were in attendance. As the evening progressed, the
crush of people became suffocating. "There were no seats at all," the New York Tribune
reported, "and tired ladies subsided in ungraceful groups on the floor." Many women fainted
in the stifling crowd and were "passed about as if it were part of the evening's program."
When it came time for supper, less than half the people could get through the door to
get refreshments. Grant's sister-in-law, Mrs. Emma Dent Casey, recalled to a Washington
Star reporter nearly 50 years later, "The truth of the matter is that the facilities for caring
for the large number attending the Ball were not sufficient. There were not waiters enough,
nor was there space enough and, still worse, food enough for those who desired supper. This
nearly caused a riot in the supper room."
The truly disastrous part of the evening came, however, when the guests tried to
retrieve their coats as they prepared to leave the Ball. The Tribune reported, "It was
impossible to procure hats or coats." When they had arrived, guests had given their
belongings to attendants at the fourth floor cloakroom, and had received a numbered check
in return. "It appears," the Tribune said, "the clothes were thrown on chairs, tables, and the
floor, without regard to order or sequence, and the result was that at midnight, when about
1,000 men were clamoring for their coats, the attendant was obliged to look through a pile
of over 2,000 articles for each garment."
Many people did not wait for their own clothes. They grabbed any coat they could
find, or went into the chill March night with no wrapping at all. Upon leaving the Ball, they
found the Inaugural Ball Committee had neglected to arrange a system for calling cabs and
carriages, and many of the guests had to walk home through the mud and slush, coatless and
hatless. Reportedly, many cases of pneumonia and several deaths were attributed to this
experience of going out into the severe weather without proper outer coverings.
The next morning, the Treasury Building was beseiged by a group of men demanding
their belongings, and it was late that af ternoon before all the clothing was distributed. Even
then, many items were never recovered. New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley was one
of the many whose property disappeared forever, and his newspaper concluded: "Altogether,
the Inaugural Reception will be remembered by the participants more for its annoyances
than for its pleasures."
WASHINGTON BECOMES SEAT OF GOVERNMENT
EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, AND DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES MOVE
FROM PHILADELPHIA A CENTURY AND A HALF AGO
RECORDS OF TREASURY'S DIVISION OF BOOKKEEPING AND
WARRANTS REVEAL INTERESTING DETAILS
This is #5 of "Human Interest Stories" about the U.S.
Treasury Department by Francis DeSales Ryan.
Mr. Ryan retired from the Treasury Department in
1953 after 35 years of service.
11
The Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Benjamin Stoddert,
addressed a vigorous protest to the Commissioners about
the condition of the President's house. He wrote:
"That large naked ugly looking building will be
a very inconvenient residence for a Family without
something is done at once. The ground should not be
leveled, but trees should be planted at once, so as to
make it an agreeable place to walk in, even this summer.
"I do not think the Commissioners have sufficiently
attended to the accommodation of the President - a
private gentleman preparing a residence for his Friend,
would have done more
Would you not be ashamed to
conduct the President to the House without there being
an enclosure of any kind around it?"
The Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Wolcott, did not
like his new official home. Conditions in and around
the neighborhood of the Treasury were deplorable. Shacks,
brick kilns, and an old market stood on what is now La-
fayette Park. The residents themselves seemed strange
to Mr. Wolcott. In a letter to his wife he wrote:
"There appears to be a confident expectation that
this place will soon exceed any in the world. Mr. Thornton,
one of the Commissioners, spoke of a population of
160,000 as a matter of course in a few years. No stranger
can be here a day and converse with the proprietors, with-
out conceiving himself in the company of crazy people.
Their ignorance of the rest of the world, and their delu-
sions with respect to their own prospects are without
parallel.
"
Secretary Wolcott added that he did not see how the
members of Congress could find accommodations unless they
would "consent to live like scholars in a college, crowded
ten or twenty in one house, and utterly excluded from
society.'
Probably the best description of the city at the time
it became the seat of Government is in a letter (preserved
at the Library of Congress) written by a very distinguished
member of Congress, Representative John Cotton Smith, of
Connecticut. The following is an extract from it:
THIRD OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY OCCUPIED OFFICE BLIDG
PRECED BY Capitol and White HOuse
other bldgs older as PatCourt andxRaxkxQk but no
longer occupeidd or not continuous.
Total cost about $8 mln
Stone came from Maine (Rock Island)
Facades of Ionic columns
each 36 feet tall and weigh 30 tons
34 pillars on 15th st - East side; colonade of
31 of them 341 feet long secod longest logia in
world: 1st at Louvre
West has 18 columns and North and South @10
Alex Ham statue with Web quote on South
frontf originally meant to be front en
Gallatin in rear on Pa Ave by Jeames Earl
Fraser who a lso desinged buf lo nickel
15
vaults
10/x16
feet
Protectors of
CUSTOMS: 200
Published monthly by the Bicentennial Committee
August 1987
Since 1789
America's Historic Customhouses
KENNEBUNKPORT ME: Completed in 1815 the Kenne-
bunkport Customhouse originally served two tenants: the
Kennebunk Bank of Arundel on the first floor and the
Customs Service on the second floor. In 1831, however, the
bank's charter was revoked, and the following year the building
was purchased by the federal government for exclusive use as
Customs offices.
Customs operations continued in the brick Federal style
building until 1913, when the District of Kennebunk was
abolished; today the old customhouse is home to the Louis T.
Graves Memorial Library.
Profectors of
CUSTOMS: 200
Published monthly by the Bicentennial Committee
August 1987
Since 1789
America's Historic Customhouses
KENNEBUNKPORT ME: Completed in 1815 the Kenne-
bunkport Customhouse originally served two tenants: the
Kennebunk Bank of Arundel on the first floor and the
Customs Service on the second floor. In 1831, however, the
bank's charter was revoked, and the following year the building
was purchased by the federal government for exclusive use as
Customs offices.
Customs operations continued in the brick Federal style
building until 1913, when the District of Kennebunk was
abolished; today the old customhouse is home to the Louis T.
Graves Memorial Library.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Though Mothers of fathers give
us life, it S money alone which
preserves it, p312.22/Inara
Saikaky
Money and goods are sertainly the
best of References.
A Feast is made for laughter, and wine
maketh merry: : but money answereth
all things.
Ecclesiastes
money begets money. p301:14(John Ray
Business It's quite simple. It's
other peoples money. p594 (Alexandse
N8 Dumas the
Younger)
Leave off the agony, leave off
#
style
Unless you've got money by
you all the while.
p661:12 Qulia A moore
112
75
88TH CONGRESS
2d Session
}
SENATE
{
DOCUMENT
No. 95
REPRESENTATIVE SPEECHES OF
GENERAL OF THE ARMY
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
11
COMPILED BY THE
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
PRESENTED BY MR. TOWER
BUREAU OF THE BUDGE
is
UCI 19 1964
APRIL 29, 1964.-Ordered to be printed
Execut ve Office of the Presi
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
37-351
WASHINGTON : 1964
100
REPRESENTATIVE SPEECHES OF DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
REPRESE
are preparing to attack us; that sooner or later they intend to strike.
and challenge; t
Both are wrong. Each side, so far as the masses are concerned. is
sion on those wh
desirous of peace. Both dread war. But the constant acceleration of
others; to have
preparation may, without specific intent. ultimately precipitate a kind
laugh, yet never
of spontaneous combustion.
neglect the past;
Many will tell you with mockery and ridicule that the abolition of
to be modest so t
war can be only a dream-that it is but the vague imagining of a
ness. the open m
visionary. But we must go on or we will go under. And the great
They give you
criticism that can be made is that the world lacks a plan that will en-
vigor of the emoti
able us to go on.
mental predomin
We are in a new era. The old methods and solutions no longer suffice.
venture over love
We must have new thoughts, new ideas. new concepts. We must break
They create in
out of the straitjacket of the past. We must have sufficient imagina-
what next, and t.
tion and courage to translate the universal wish for peace-which is
this way to be an
rapidly becoming a universal necessity-into actuality. And, until
And what sort
then. at whatever cost or sacrifice. we must be fully prepared-lest we
liable? Are thev
perish.
Their story is k
man-at-arms. My
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY1
many years ago,
May 12, 1962
West Point, N.Y.
regard him now. a
No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute
of the finest milita
as this [Thayer Award]. Coming from a profession I have served
His name and 1
so long and a people I have loved SO well, it fills me with an emotion
In his youth and S
I cannot express. But this award is not intended primarily to honor
tality can give. H
He has written his
a personality, but to symbolize a great moral code-a code of conduct
breast.
and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land of culture and
But when I thin
ancient descent. For all hours and for all time, it is an expression of
the ethics of the American soldier. That I should be integrated in this
fire, and of his mo
way with SO noble an ideal arouses a sense of pride, and yet of humil-
miration I cannot F
ity, which will be with me always.
one of the greatest
Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently
posterity as the ins
dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They
liberty and freedon
are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to
and by his achiever
regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create
In 20 campaigns.
hope when hope becomes forlorn.
fires. I have witne
Unhappily, I possess neither that eloquence of diction. that poetry
abnegation, and the
statue in the hearts
of imagination, nor that brilliance of metaphor to tell you all that
they mean.
From one end of
The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a
chalice of courage.
flambovant phrase. Every pedant. every demagog, every cynic, every
memory's eye I coul
hypocrite, every troublemaker. and. I am sorry to say, some others of
War, bending under
an entirely different character, will try to downgrade them even to
ping dusk to drizzl
the extent of mockery and ridicule.
of shell-pocked roa
covered with sludge
But these are some of the things they do. They build your basic
character. They mold you for your future roles as the custodians
home to their object
I do not know the
of the Nation's defense. They make you strong enough to know when
their death. They
you are weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are afraid.
They teach you to be proud and unbending in honest failure, but
in their hearts, and
humble and gentle in success: not to substitute words for actions. not
victory.
to seek the path of comfort, but to face the stress and spur of difficulty
Always for them
sweat. and tears. as
And 20 years after.
1 This address is often popularly referred to as "Duty, Honor, and Country."
murky foxholes. the
475
UR
REPRESENTATIVE SPEECHES OF DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
101
d to strike.
and challenge; to learn to stand up in the storm, but to have compas-
oncerned, is
sion on those who fall; to master yourself before you seek to master
eleration of
others; to have a heart that is clean, a goal that is high; to learn to
itate a kind
laugh, yet never forget how to weep; to reach into the future, yet never
neglect the past; to be serious, yet never to take yourself too seriously:
abolition of
to be modest so that you will remember the simplicity of true great-
gining of a
ness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
d the great
They give you a temperate will, a quality of the imagination, a
that will en-
vigor of the emotions, a freshness of the deep springs of life, a tempera-
mental predominance of courage over timidity, of an appetite for ad-
onger suffice.
venture over love of ease.
3 must break
They create in your heart the sense of wonder, the unfailing hope of
ent imagina-
what next, and the joy and inspiration of life. They teach you in
ce-which is
this way to be an officer and a gentleman.
And, until
And what sort of soldiers are those you are to lead? Are they re-
ared-lest we
liable? Are they brave? Are they capable of victory?
Their story is known to all of you. It is the story of the American
man-at-arms. My estimate of him was formed on the battlefield many,
many years ago, and has never changed. I regarded him then, as I
'est Point, N.Y.
regard him now, as one of the world's noblest figures; not only as one
of the finest military characters, but also as one of the most stainless.
uch a tribute
His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen.
[ -have served
In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mor-
h an emotion
tality can give. He needs no eulogy from me, or from any other man.
arily to honor
He has written his own history and written it in red on his enemy's
de of conduct
breast.
f culture and
But when I think of his patience in adversity, of his courage under
expression of
fire, and of his modesty in victory, I am filled with an emotion of ad-
egrated in this
miration I cannot put into words. He belongs to history as furnishing
I yet of humil-
one of the greatest examples of successful patriotism. He belongs to
posterity as the instructor of future generations in the principles of
rds reverently
liberty and freedom. He belongs to the present, to us, by his virtues
will be. They
and by his achievements.
seems to fail, to
In 20 campaigns, on a hundred battlefields, around a thousand camp-
faith, to create
fires, I have witnessed that enduring fortitude, that patriotic self-
abnegation, and that invincible determination which have carved his
on, that poetry
statue in the hearts of his people.
ell you all that
From one end of the world to the other, he has drained deep the
chalice of courage. As I listened to those songs [of the glee club], in
a slogan, but a
memory's eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World
ery cynic, every
War, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from drip-
some others of
ping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle deep through the mire
le them even to
of shell-pocked roads: to form grimly for the attack, blue lipped.
covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving
build your basic
home to their objective. and, for many, to the judgment seat of God.
the custodians
I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of
rh to know when
their death. They died. unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith
1 you are afraid.
in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to
nest failure, but
victory.
S for actions, not
Always for them Duty, honor. country. Always their blood. and
spur of difficulty
sweat. and tears, as we sought the way and the light and the truth.
And 20 years after. on the other side of the globe, again the filth of
Country."
mui ky foxholes, the stench of ghostly trenches, the slime of dripping
102
REPRESENTATIVE SPEECHES OF DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
REPRE
dugouts, those boiling suns of relentless heat, those torrential rains of
Others will
devastating storms, the loneliness and utter desolation of jungle trails,
national, whic
the bitterness of long separation from those they loved and cherished,
stand as the N
the deadly pestilence of tropical disease, the horror of stricken areas
tides of intern
of war.
For a century
Their resolute and determined defense, their swift and sure attack,
its hallowed t1
their indomitable purpose, their complete and decisive victory-always
Let civilian
victory, always through the bloody haze of their last reverberating
of government
shot, the vision of gaunt, ghastly men, reverently following your pass-
financing indul
words of "duty, honor, country.
mighty, by por
The code which those words perpetuate embraces the highest moral
corrupt, by crii
law and will stand the test of any ethics or philosophies ever promul-
taxes grown too
gated for the uplift of mankind. Its requirements are for the things
personal libertie
that are right and its restraints are from the things that are wrong.
These great n:
The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest
pation or milita:
act of religious training-sacrifice. In battle, and in the face of
beacon in the nig
danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker
You are the 1
gave when He created man in His own image. No physical courage
national system
and no greater strength can take the place of the divine help which
who hold the Nat
alone can sustain him. However hard the incidents of war may be,
sounds.
the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his
The long gray
country is the noblest development of mankind.
ghosts in olive di
You now face a new world. a world of change. The thrust into outer
from their white
space of the satellite, spheres. and missiles marks a beginning of an-
country.
other epoch in the long story of mankind. In the 5 or more billions
This does not
of years the scientists tell us it has taken to form the earth. in the 3
the soldier above
or more billion years of development of the human race, there has
and bear the dee!
never been a more abrupt or staggering evolution.
ears ring the omir
We deal now, not with things of this world alone. but with the
"Only the dead ha
illimitable distances and as yet unfathomed mysteries of the universe.
The shadows al
We are reaching out for a new and boundless frontier. We speak in
days of old have
strange terms of harnessing the cosmic energy, of making winds and
mering through t.
tides work for us, of creating unheard of synthetic materials to sup-
one of wondrous b
plement or even replace our old standard basics; to purify sea water
the smiles of yeste
for our drink: of mining ocean floors for new fields of wealth and food
witching melody 0
of disease preventatives to expand life into the hundreds of years:
the long roll.
of controlling the weather for a more equitable distribution of heat and
In my dreams I
cold, of rain and shine; of spaceships to the moon; of the primary
the strange, mourr
target in war, no longer limited to the armed forces of an enemy, but
of my memory alv
instead to include his civil populations; of ultimate conflict between a
echoes and reechoes
united human race and the sinister forces of some other planetary
Today marks my
galaxy; of such dreams and fantasies as to make life the most exciting
that, when I cross
of all times.
corps. and the corps
And through all this welter of change and development your mission
I bid you farewel
remains fixed. determined. inviolable. It is to win our wars. Every-
thing else in your professional career is but corollary to this vital
dedication. All other public purposes, all other public projects, all
other public needs. great or small. will find others for their accom-
plishment: but you are the ones who are trained to fight.
Yours is the profession of arms. the will to win. the sure knowledge
that in war there is no substitute for victory. that if you lose. the
Nation will be destroyed. that the very obsession of your public service
must be duty, honor, country.
WHITE HOUSE AND EOP LIBRARIES
475
IUR
REPRESENTATIVE SPEECHES OF DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
103
ial rains of
Others will debate the controversial issues, national and inter-
ungle trails,
national, which divide men's minds. But serene, calm, aloof, you
a cherished,
stand as the Nation's war guardian, as its lifeguard from the raging
ricken areas
tides of international conflict, as its gladiator in the arena of battle.
For a century and a half you have defended, guarded, and protected
sure attack,
its hallowed traditions of liberty and freedom, of right and justice.
ory-always
Let civilian voices argue the merits or demerits of our processes
everberating
of government: Whether our strength is being sapped by deficit
g your pass-
financing indulged in too long, by Federal paternalism grown too
mighty, by power groups grown too arrogant, by politics grown too
ighest moral
corrupt, by crime grown too rampant, by morals grown too low, by
ever promul-
taxes grown too high, by extremists grown too violent; whether our
or the things
personal liberties are as thorough and complete as they should be.
t are wrong.
These great national problems are not for your professional partici-
the greatest
pation or military solution. Your guidepost stands out like a tenfold
the face of
beacon in the night: Duty, honor, country.
ch his Maker
You are the leaven which binds together the entire fabric of our
sical courage
national system of defense. From your ranks come the great captains
e help which
who hold the Nation's destiny in their hands the moment the war tocsin
war may be,
sounds.
S life for his
The long gray line has never failed us. Were you to do so, a million
ghosts in olive drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray, would rise
rust into outer
from their white crosses, thundering those magic words: Duty, honor,
finning of an-
country.
more billions
This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary,
earth, in the 3
the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer
ace, there has
and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our
ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers:
but with the
"Only the dead have seen the end of war."
f the universe.
The shadows are lengthening for me. The twilight is here. My
The speak in
days of old have vanished-tone and tint. They have gone glim-
ting winds and
mering through the dreams of things that were. Their memory is
aterials to sup-
one of wondrous beauty, watered by tears and coaxed and caressed by
urify sea water
the smiles of vesterday. I listen vainly, but with thirstv ear, for the
ealth and food:
witching melody of faint bugles blowing reveille, of far drums beating
dreds of years:
the long roll.
tion of heat and
In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns. the rattle of musketry,
of the primary
the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield. But in the evening
f an enemy. but
of my memory always I come back to West Point. Always there
nflict between a
echoes and reechoes: Duty, honor. country.
other planetary
Todav marks my final rollcall with you. But I want you to know
he most exciting
that, when I cross the river. my last conscious thoughts will be of the
corps. and the corps. and the corps.
ent your mission
I bid you farewell.
r wars. Every-
ITT to this vital
blic projects, all
for their accom-
it.
e sure knowledge
if you lose, the
our public service
APPENDIX
ADDITIONAL SPEECHES NOT INCLUDED IN THIS DOCUMENT
The following is a list of additional addresses by Gen. Douglas
MacArthur, which is included here with the hope that it will be a
helpful tool in further research on General MacArthur's public
speeches.
U.S. Military Academy, June 1933.
Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, D.C., April 19, 1951.
New York City, N.Y., April 20. 1951.
Chicago, Ill., April 26-27, 1951.
Receiving the Freedom Award from the Order of Lafayette, New York City, N.Y.,
May 19, 1961.
Houston, Tex., June 14, 1951.
Dallas, Tex., June 15, 1951.
Fort Worth, Tex., June 16, 1951.
Park dedication, Norfolk, Va., November 18, 1951.
Touchdown Club of New York. New York City, N.Y., December 6, 1951.
Salvation Army Association, New York City, N.Y., December 12, 1951.
Dedication of MacArthur Park, Little Rock, Ark., March 23, 1952.
Detroit, Mich., May 16. 1952.
West Point Founders Day Dinner, New York City, N.Y., March 14, 1953.
Annual Whoopers Dinner, Manchester, N.H., April 29, 1954.
Address at the Sperry Rand Corp. stockholders meeting, New York City, N.Y.,
July 30, 1957.
Inauguration of MacArthur Highway, Lingayen, Philippine Islands, July 6, 1961.
Accepting a citation by the Green Mountain Chapter of the Retired Officer's Asso-
ciation, New York City, N.Y., November 12, 1962.
104
Richard Nixon, 1972
Aug. 24 [267]
those who whine and whimper about our
Uncle Vasya. Then Uncle Lyosha. Then
ant, it means that the
frustrations and call on us to turn inward.
Mama in May. And finally-these were
nergies of the Rus-
Let us not turn away from greatness.
the last words in her diary: "All are dead.
Chinese people and
The chance America now has to lead
Only Tanya is left."
e and all the great
the way to a lasting peace in the world
Let us think of Tanya and of the other
can be turned away
may never come again.
Tanyas and their brothers and sisters
war and turned to-
With faith in God and faith in our-
everywhere in Russia, in China, in Amer-
peace.
selves and faith in our country, let us
ica, as we proudly meet our respon-
ins that we can un-
have the vision and the courage to seize
sibilities for leadership in the world in a
r progress at home
the moment and meet the challenge be-
way worthy of a great people.
exciting as the great
fore it slips away.
I ask you, my fellow Americans, to join
dertaken in building
On your television screen last night, you
our new majority not just in the cause of
ace abroad.
saw the cemetery in Leningrad I visited
winning an election, but in achieving a
ans, the peace divi-
on my trip to the Soviet Union-where
hope that mankind has had since the
much about has too
300,000 people died in the siege of that
beginning of civilization. Let us build a
solely in monetary
city during World War II.
peace that our children and all the chil-
oney we could take
At the cemetery I saw the picture of a
dren of the world can enjoy for genera-
et and apply to our
12-year-old girl. She was a beautiful child.
tions to come.
ar the biggest divi-
Her name was Tanya.
t achieving our goal
NOTE: The President spoke at 10:27 p.m. in
I read her diary. It tells the terrible
Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Fla. His re-
the world would re-
story of war. In the simple words of a
marks were broadcast live on radio and
es and ideals of all
child she wrote of the deaths of the mem-
television.
le.
bers of her family. Zhenya in December.
The President spoke from a prepared text.
f of the American
An advance text of his remarks was released
Grannie in January. Then Leka. Then
to be able to say in
on the same day.
to the Russian peo-
it no one else's ter-
267 Remarks at the American Legion's Annual National
dominion over any
peace not only for
Convention in Chicago, Illinois. August 24, 1972
the people of the
Commander Geiger, my comrades in the
What I would like to say today is
American Legion, those who are here
that, first, I am aware of the magnificent
to idealism runs
from the Legion Auxiliary, all of our very
tradition of the Legion, the fact that we
ory.
distinguished guests, and all of the past
think in terms of our country; we recog-
War Between the
commanders and others who are distin-
nize that partisan differences really don't
incoln was asked
guished guests here on the platform:
matter where the national defense is in-
is side. He replied,
It is indeed a very great honor for me
volved and where the peace and security
whether God is on
to appear before this convention. It seems
of America is involved. We are not Re-
we are on God's
that this is my week to appear before con-
publicans, we are not Democrats, we are
ventions. But having first addressed a
Americans. And that is what the Legion
be our prayer for
Legion convention when I was a junior
feels.
Senator from the State of California back
My friend Don Johnson-I was saying
e of peace in the
in the year 1951, I know that we do not
to Commander Geiger that he was the
ture in our hands.
discuss partisan politics, so I won't tell you
tallest man who had been commander of
re the policies of
which party nominated me.
the Legion since Johnson, and they are
795
nts
Richard Nixon, 1972
Aug. 24 [267]
harlie Teague, I get the same
to spend more than they need to.
tries that sometimes, for the most idealistic
eterans affairs, because they
And so naturally there is honest differ-
of reasons, lost the will to defend them-
time.
ence of opinion as to how much we ought
selves and ultimately lost the will to sur-
oud of our record in this area.
to spend in order to have an adequate na-
vive at all.
ite your advice and I know,
tional defense. I want to talk to you about
George Washington stated it also very
that you have a number of
it now with those thoughts in mind.
well, perhaps it has not been surpassed,
hat have been passed. I want
How much is enough? What do we
when he said, "To be prepared for war
ourse, submit them to us for
really need?
is one of the most effectual means of pre-
ation, and we hope that, in all
Let me begin by saying something that
serving peace." Let us not forget that
ead, whoever serves in the
is quite obvious, and that is that when we
warning of his, because the stakes now for
sident will remember that it
speak before a group like the American
us and for the rest of the world are in-
forget those who have served.
Legion, you know from personal experi-
finitely greater than it was in that early
do it in the United States of
ence the importance of keeping America
period when the United States was a very
strong.
strong country in terms of its own spirit,
ve selected for my subject to
I think perhaps the most eloquent state-
but very weak militarily, and not a great
great convention of the
ment in recent times in that respect was
factor in the world.
Legion here in Chicago—
by General MacArthur in his very famous
Washington was not alone in his con-
ense.
speech on the plain at West Point, "Duty,
viction that it takes a strong America to
se the subject of national de-
Honor, Country." If you haven't read it,
keep a free America. Lincoln, Wilson,
a Legion convention, I am
read it again. It is one of the greatest
Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt,
ny would say that is like the
speeches perhaps ever made on national
Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John
ting to the choir, because after
Mach
defense, and also on what is great about
Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson-each time we
already converted. I hope all
America. About the soldier, he told them,
Donglas
have found that they have spoken on this
the choir are converted, but
those young men on the plain, "above all
subject-always reflected in eloquent
;, you are people who believe
other people," he said, the soldier "prays
terms the need for a strong national
lefense.
ni
for peace, for he must suffer and bear the
defense.
resolutions for strong national
deepest wounds and scars of war.
I am convinced those are the views of
: after year. And whenever
That is something we forget sometimes.
a majority of Americans, whatever their
up, whoever is President of
May
We think that a veterans organization is
partisan affiliations. I feel, of course, that
States, he can be sure that the
primarily interested in the problems of
there are naturally some small antimilitary
of the American Legion as he
war. I have found that veterans organi-
activists who totally disagree. They have
White House, as your com-
zations have the strongest commitment to
rights to their opinions.
now and others through the
peace, because you know what war is, and
As I will point out, I believe that when
been there, will be there, al-
you are for strength because you want to
we consider what the goal is-and the goal
ting strong national defense.
avoid more war.
is peace-that it is certainly irrefutable
why I talk about it today. I
Others may talk of the dream of peace
that we need the strong national defense
because it is an issue. It hap-
and the horrors of war, but no one under-
if we are going to reach the goal.
an issue in an election cam-
stands them better than you, you who
That is why my principle, like yours, is
ven if there were not an elec-
have to pay the toll. It is the military man,
that the United States must never have a
ld be an issue, because the
as much as the poet or the politician, who
defense which is second to that of any
eople naturally would like to
is the guardian of peace when it comes,
other nation in the world.
of their money on domestic
and is the restorer of peace when it is
I say that for a number of reasons which,
would like to spend enough
challenged.
I suppose, might be open to question, but
e country, but they don't want
History is strewn with the ruins of coun-
one of them is not that it is a matter of
797
LITE CZUED
Tour
and
Information
Bureau of Engraving
and Printing
LIFE LZRED OF ОБТЯЕВИЯ
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the
U.S. Government's security printer, respon-
sible for the design and manufacture of U.S.
currency, postage stamps, Treasury obligations
and other U.S. securities.
MUN UZALED OF ОБТЛЕНИЯ
BEP P-15-2
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Peak Tourist Season:
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the U.S.
March through September is the heavy tourist season.
Government's security printer, responsible for the
There are more visitors than the tour facility can
design and manufacture of U.S. currency, postage
accommodate. It is necessary at times to cut the line
stamps, Treasury obligations and other U.S. securities.
off as early as 12:00 p.m. to ensure that the last visitor
in line can enter the tour gallery by 2 p.m. We recom-
Tour Information:
mend that visitors arrive early during the peak tourist
season when the average wait in line is approx-
The Bureau provides a continuous self-guided tour,
imately 1½ hours.
featuring currency production. Visitors are able to
view the various production steps and tour guides are
available to answer question's and assist visitors. The
Parking and Eating:
tour culminates in the Visitors' Center where a
There are no public parking or restaurant facilities on
number of interesting and educational exhibits may
the premises.
be enjoyed. Visitors may purchase uncut sheets of
currency, engraved prints, small bags of shredded
Safety and Security:
currency and souvenir cards.
Smoking and the taking of photographs are pro-
hibited. Please use the pedestrian crosswalks when
Location:
crossing the street. The Bureau can accommodate
14th and C Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. One block
wheelchairs.
south of the Washington Monument and just north of
the 14th Street Bridge.
24-Hour Information:
Dial (202) 447-9709 or 447-9916.
Admission:
FREE
CONSTITUTION AVENUE
Hale St
National
Hours:
National
Museum
Museum of
of
Natural
American
History
Tours may be taken Monday through Friday from 9:00
History
S
S
S
Madison Drive
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Bureau is closed for all Federal
D.
holidays and the week between Christmas and New
Year's day. Visitors' Center hours are from 8:30 a.m. to
GTON
THE NATIONAL MA
MENT
Henry Statue
2:30 p.m. and open on the same days as tours.
ISONIAN
Dow
M
INSTITUTION
Mem
Length of Tour:
SMITHSONIAN
Sylvan Theater
efferson
Drive
Freer
National
Approximately 20 minutes.
Callery
Museum of
African Art
Department
and Arthur
of Agriculture
Sackler Gal
Transportation:
Auditors
Building
Forrestal Build
Sightseeing buses discharge passengers at the 14th
Street entrance and reload at the 15th Street exit point
Bureau of Engraving
and Printing
of the tour. The Bureau facility is included on the
Raoul Wallenberg Place
C Street
Tourmobile "Washington Mall" tour. Service operates
14TH STREET
12TH STREET
S
Bureau Annex
13TH STREET
L'EN?ANT PROMENADE
continually during the day between 11 Washington
0 Street
landmarks. There is a Tourmobile stop across the
street from the Bureau on 15th Street at the exit
point of the tour. The nearest subway station is the
Smithsonian Station, Independence Avenue exit.
L'En
PI
Reservations:
No Reservations are required.
1938. "Special" refers to stamps used to prepay
SHEET STAMPS
fees for special services other than regular postage,
Sheet work is printed from 160 to 600-subject
such as special delivery, or to provide for special
plates or cylinders, depending on the size of the in-
seasons, such as Christmas. "Memorial" stamps honor
dividual stamp. All classes of postage stamps are
American statesmen (usually Presidents) who die in
produced in sheet form. Sheets of regular stamps
office. "Commemorative" stamps honor great people,
are printed from 400-subject plates and the majority
anniversaries, expositions, and historical events and
of commemoratives from 200-subject plates. The
are issued in limited quantities.
stamps are examined for color, printing, gumming,
and perforating defects; cut into 1/4-size sheets or
ORIGIN OF DESIGN
panes; and shrink-wrapped in plastic.
Requests for postage stamps, particularly com-
memoratives, originate with individuals and organ-
BOOK STAMPS
izations from all parts of the country. Suggestions
The Bureau uses an automatic process that utilizes
are referred to a Citizens' Stamp Advisory Com-
booklet forming machines which perforate the
mittee, appointed by the Postmaster General, for
stamps, imprint the covers, apply a cohesive to the
appropriate selection and recommendation to him.
covers, collate covers and stamps, cut books to
Art work is obtained from a variety of sources, in-
finished size, and fold the covers over the stamps.
cluding commissions to artists well recognized in the
The books are then plastic shrink-wrapped and
various media. Models of the stamp are then pre-
cartoned.
pared by designers in the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing and forwarded to the United States Postal
COIL STAMPS
Service for final approval.
Approximately 48% of all postage stamps pro-
duced are processed into coil form. After the stamps
POSTAGE STAMP MANUFACTURE
are printed on web-fed rotary presses from either
432 or 936-subject plates or cylinders, they are ex-
Press plates for printing postage stamps are pre-
amined while still in web form for color, printing,
pared from an approved model. The number of
gumming, and other defects, on electronically con-
colors, size, type of issue, and design are factors
trolled examining machines. The stamps are then
which determine the plate manufacturing process
automatically processed on perforating-coiling ma-
used.
chines which perforate, slit the web, and coil the
The Bureau prints United States postage stamps
stamps into standardized units of 100, 500, or 3,000
on high-speed web-fed and sheet-fed rotary presses.
stamps. Each machine is connected to a complement
Single-color stamps are produced by the intaglio
of automatic wrapping-labeling machines by means
process primarily on the web-fed presses. Multicolor
of a conveyor system. Each stamp coil is wrapped
stamps are printed in a variety of ways such as
in cellophane and labeled; the coils are cartoned,
line intaglio, combination line intaglio and offset,
sealed, and boxed for shipment to post offices. All
combination line intaglio and gravure, and gravure.
operations (winding of coils, conveying, wrapping,
sealing, and labeling) are completely automatic.
Most of the Bureau's presses print stamps on pre-
gummed paper, while others are equipped with an
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS CONTINUES
auxiliary mechanism that applies the adhesive to the
back of the paper immediately following the printing
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has de-
process. Perforation takes place following printing,
veloped international recognition for advancing the
however, newer presses are capable of in-line per-
state-of-the-art in the technical designing, engraving,
foration. Stamps are given an invisible coating of
and printing of securities and miscellaneous items for
phosphor which, when exposed to an ultraviolet
the United States Government. In guiding its pro-
light, enables high-speed mail processing machines
gram of modernization, the Bureau continues to look
to face and cancel the stamps automatically. Postage
for new technological improvements to enhance and
stamps are packaged in sheet, book, or coil form.
safeguard its products-particularly paper currency
6
7
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING
and postage stamps-which are among the finest and
most cost-effectively manufactured national securities
AND PRINTING
in the world.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
The beginning of an establishment for the engrav-
ing and printing of United States currency can be
traced as far back as August 29, 1862 to a single
room in the basement of the main Treasury building
where four women and two men began to separate
and seal $1 and $2 United States notes which had
been printed by private bank note companies. These
PRODUCTION OF
functions were later embodied in what was known
as the First Division of the National Currency Bureau.
The printing of currency notes by Treasury employ-
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
ees commenced in the fall of 1863 and in 1864 it
was recommended to the Secretary of the Treasury
that "The Engraving and Printing Bureau of the
Treasury Department" be established. The proposal
was not accepted at that time, however, and the
existence of a printing bureau as a distinct entity
within the Treasury Department was not recognized
by Congressional legislation until the passage of the
Appropriation Act of March 3, 1869. As the years
progressed, the "Engraving and Printing Bureau"
gradually absorbed the functions performed by the
private bank note companies and by October 1,
1877 all United States currency was printed in this
bureau.
14th and C Streets, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20228
ENGRAVING
AND
BURBAU OF
P-15-Rev. 9-85
*
8
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the world's
Certificates, and Silver Certificates, has been discon-
largest securities manufacturing establishment. It em-
tinued. Some notes from each of these classes are
ploys 2,300 people and operates 24 hours a day.
still in public circulation. The largest denomination
The Bureau designs, engraves, and prints United
of currency ever printed was the $100,000 Gold
States paper currency; Treasury bonds, bills, notes,
Certificate of 1934 which featured the portrait of
and certificates of indebtedness; United States post-
President Wilson. This note was designed for official
age, and revenue stamps; and miscellaneous en-
transactions only and none of these notes ever cir-
graved items for approximately 75 departments and
culated outside Federal Reserve banks. In addition
independent agencies of the Federal Government,
to the denominations now in use, higher denomina-
and its insular possessions. White House invitations,
tion notes were issued prior to 1969. They were the
commissions, diplomas, certificates, identification
$500 note with a portrait of McKinley on its face,
cards, and liquor strip stamps, are some of the
the $1,000 note with a portrait of Cleveland on its
approximately 700 miscellaneous products printed
face, the $5,000 note with a portrait of Madison
by the Bureau.
on its face, and a $10,000 note with a portrait of
Operations of the century-old Bureau of Engraving
Chase on its face. All of these notes have ornate
and Printing are housed in two specially constructed
back designs featuring the denomination. In 1969,
buildings with a combined floor space of approxi-
a decision was made that no currency notes larger
mately 25 acres.
than $100 would be printed. All larger denomina-
tions are retired when returned from circulation.
The $2 Federal Reserve Note was issued on
CURRENCY
April 13, 1976 as the latest permanent addition to
the denominations of United States currency.
The principal product of the Bureau is United
States paper currency. A face value of over $66
billion is printed annually, averaging approximately
INTAGLIO ENGRAVED PROCESS
23 million notes a day.
The currency notes printed are Federal Reserve
To assure the best protection against counter-
notes, which are issued in denominations of $1, $2,
feiting, all United States paper money, as well as
$5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. They are primarily
nearly all postage stamps and other evidences of
used to replace worn or mutilated currency taken
a financial character issued by the United States
out of circulation.
Government, are printed by the "intaglio" process
from engraved plates.
The following is a listing of the portraits and
Intaglio-printed documents are the most difficult
back designs of paper currency now being produced
and issued:
to produce or to counterfeit. Other processes lack
the fidelity of fine lines and the distinctive third-
dimensional effect of raised line on paper inherent
Denom.
Portrait
Back
in intaglio printing. An outstanding element of pro-
$ 1
Washington
Obverse and Reverse
tection is the portrait. The use of portraits in security
of Great Seal of U.S.
designs takes full advantage of the characteristics of
$ 2
Jefferson
Signing of the Declara-
intaglio printing since even a slight alteration in
breadth, spacing, or depth of line on the part of
tion of Independence
a counterfeiter will cause a perceptible facial change.
$ 5
Lincoln
Lincoln Memorial
The portraits used in the designs of securities are
$ 10
Hamilton
U.S. Treasury Building
those of persons of historical importance. By law,
$ 20
Jackson
White House
no portrait of a living person may be used.
$ 50
Grant
U.S. Capitol
In the intaglio process, the individual features of
$100
Franklin
Indépendence Hall
a chosen design are hand-tooled by highly skilled
engravers who engrave in varying depths into steel
Federal Reserve notes is the only class now being
with delicate steel-cutting instruments called gravers.
printed. Printing of Federal Reserve Bank notes, Gold
With infinite care, each feature, such as the portrait,
2
3
the vignette, the numerals, the lettering, the script,
tion, the "bricks" are compressed and banded. The
and the scroll work is hand-engraved by a different
"bricks" are then plastic shrink-wrapped and placed
master craftsman expertly trained in his own par-
in pouches for shipment to one of 12 Federal Reserve
ticular skill.
districts.
STAR NOTES
CURRENCY MANUFACTURE
In the event a finished note is found to be im-
The Bureau prints all currency by the line-en-
perfect after it has been overprinted, it is replaced
graved process on high-speed sheet-fed rotary
with a "star" note. In design, star notes are exactly
presses. The most modern presses use four plates
like the notes they replace, but they carry an
of 32 notes (or subjects) each and are capable of
independent series of serial numbers. The star ap-
printing 9,000 sheets per hour. Each sheet is forced,
pears after the serial number in place of the suffix
under extremely heavy pressure, into the fine en-
letter on Federal Reserve notes. The serial number
graved lines of a plate to pick up the ink. The
of the imperfect note which was replaced is not
backs of the notes are printed with green ink on one
used again in the same numbering sequence.
day, and the faces are printed with black ink the
following day.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
The use of a special formula fast-drying non-
The life of the $1 note is about 22 months. Higher
offset ink, developed in the Bureau's laboratories,
denominations remain in circulation longer since they
has eliminated the time-consuming need for tissuing
are not used in transactions as frequently as the
or interleaving between sheets. The inks and distinc-
$1 note. The size of a currency note is approxi-
tive paper used by the Bureau in the manufacture
mately 2.61 inches x 6.14 inches and the thickness
of currency are produced under specifications de-
is .0043 inch. There are 233 new notes to an inch
signed to deter counterfeiting and to assure a
(not compressed) and 490 to a pound. A million
high-quality product.
notes weigh approximately a ton and occupy ap-
After the printing operation, each stack of 32-
proximately 42 cubic feet of space (with moderate
subject sheets is cut into 16-subject size and exam-
pressure).
ined for defects in preparation for numbering and
processing on currency overprinting and processing
equipment (COPE).
POSTAGE STAMPS
CURRENCY OVERPRINTING AND
Since 1894, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (COPE)
has been continuously producing postage stamps of
The final printing operation for paper currency
the highest quality for the United States Postal
consists of overprinting the Treasury Seal, serial
Service. The Bureau produces and delivers approxi-
numbers, and the appropriate Federal Reserve district
mately 36 billion postage stamps to over 5,500
seal and number. This is accomplished on the most
separate post offices in the United States.
modern and automated currency overprinting and
processing equipment in the world. The equipment,
CLASSES
referred to by the acronym "COPE," performs several
United States postage stamps are divided into
operations. COPE overprints the 16-note sheets,
six classes: regular, international airmail, special,
accumulates them into units of 100 sheets, and
postage due, memorial, and commemorative. They
conveys them to cutting knives. The sheets are cut
are issued in denominations ranging from 1¢ to $5.
into two-note units and then into individual notes.
"Regular" postage stamps refer to the series of
Units of 100 notes each are banded and packaged
stamps that are kept in constant supply at the
into "bricks" containing 40 units. Each "brick" con-
post offices. These stamps are often designated by
tains 4,000 notes and weighs approximately 8½
a name such as the "Americana Series" of 1975,
pounds.
"Prominent Americans Series" of 1965, the "Liberty
After the COPE operations and a final examina-
Series" of 1954, and the "Presidential Series" of
4
5
Denom.
Portrait
Back
$ 1
Obverse and Reverse of Great
Washington
Seal of the United States
$ 2
Jefferson
Signing of the Declaration of
Independence
$ 5
Lincoln
Lincoln Memorial
$ 10
Hamilton
U.S. Treasury Building
$ 20
Jackson
White House
$ 50
Grant
U.S. Capitol
$100
Franklin
Independence Hall
The Money Factory
ENGRAVING
AND
BURBAU OF PRINTING
Bureau of
Engraving and Printing
BEP P-15-1 -ORIG. 1-87
The Money Factory
August 29, 1862 marked the modest beginnings of the
I
Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Four women and
two men, housed in the basement of the main
Treasury building, began to separate and seal $1 and
$2 United States Notes which had been printed by
I
OF
private bank note companies. The printing of curren-
cy notes started in the fall of 1863 and by October 1,
1877, all United States currency was printed in the
Bureau.
II
Notes Ready To Be Labeled
and Shrink Wrapped
Portraits and Designs on U.S. Currency
Another Examination
Spider Press
Modern Press
Notes to Bricks
Production of United States paper currency is not an
The master die is subjected to tremendous pressure,
easy or simple task, but one that involves over 65
heated and an impression of the die is taken. An alto
separate and distinct steps in the production process.
and/or relief (a raised image of the die) is cast in plastic.
Money begins with the hand-engraved piece of soft
Multiple plastic images of the various components
steel, known as a master-die. Separate portions of the
(such as the decorative scrollwork) of the bill are
design, such as the portrait, the vignette, the ornamen-
made, fitted and welded into the necessary plate con-
tation, and the lettering are hand-cut by the engravers.
figuration consisting of thirty-two bills. Plastic altos are
If you look closely at a currency note, you will notice
placed in an electrolytic tank and are used to produce
that the portrait consists of numerous fine lines, dots
a series of plates which are then cleaned, polished,
and dashes which vary in size and shape. The magnifi-
and carefully inspected by an engraver. If the plates
cent artistry and skill of the engraver bring the por-
pass the scrutiny of the engraver the final chromium
trait to life. The process of engraving is the first step
coated basso (recessed image) plate is made and
in a unique printing technique known as intaglio
another multiple subject intaglio plate is ready to place
printing.
on the printing press.
Intaglio Plate
Printing
Hand Engraved Plate
The Bureau prints currency on high-speed, sheet-fed
rotary presses which are capable of printing over 8,000
sheets per hour. Each sheet is forced, under extremely
heavy pressure (estimated at 20 tons), into the finely
Siderography
recessed lines of the plate to pick up the ink. The prin-
ting impression is three dimensional in effect and re-
In simplest terms, siderography is the means by which
quires the combined handiwork of highly skilled ar-
multiple images of the hand-engraved die are transfer-
tists, steel engravers, and plate printers. The surface
red to a printing plate. The original dies are stored and
of the bill feels slightly raised, while the reverse side
if necessary may be used again and again. For exam-
feels slightly indented. The backs of the notes are
ple, the Lincoln portrait on the five dollar bill was
printed with green ink, allowed to dry for 24 to 48
originally engraved in 1869, but can still be used to-
hours. The faces are then printed with black ink and
day in the production of a five dollar note.
also allowed to dry.
a time) and finally into single stacks of one-hundrea
bills. The units of 100 notes are banded and packag-
ed into "bricks" containing 40 units; each "brick" con-
tains 4,000 notes. The bricks are distributed to one of
the twelve Federal Reserve Districts which issue the
notes to local banks.
If a finished note is found to be imperfect after it has
been overprinted, it is replaced with a "star note". In
design, star notes are exactly like the notes they
replace, but they can carry an independent series of
serial numbers. The star appears after the serial
number in place of the suffix letter on Federal Reserve
notes. The serial number of the imperfect note is not
used again in the same number sequence.
Currency Coming off the Press
Examining
Each stack of 32-subject sheets is cut in half and each
side is examined for defects. If the sheet meets the
examiner's inspection standards, it is then ready for
numbering and processing on the Bureau's over-
printing and processing equipment.
Overprinting Bills
Examiner
Overprinting
A letterpress prints with black and green ink thus com-
pleting the printing process by overprinting the serial
number, Treasury seal, and the appropriate Federal
Reserve District seal and number. Two guillotine cut-
ters slice the notes into two-note units (100 sheets at
Notes after Slicing