Representative Gerald R. Ford's Report on the Committee on Public Works Visit to the White House

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE, APRIL 2, 1949 Met at West Wing Reception Room and proceeded to President Truman's private office where the President discussed with committee members the White House renovation problem, including the White House Committee. Saw small room in basement of White House where President Roosevelt made his fireside chats. He would sit with his back to fire- place, which was built in 1792 when White House was first erected. Thirty-one fireplaces in White House including one in basement where cooking was originally done for the household. The latter has been or will be fully restored. Most women would consider White House an inconvenient place to live, for it had very little built-in closet space. The closets, as used by President Truman, were either simply cabinets or extremely in- convenient built-in jobs. In the rebuilding, the architects intend to remedy this situation by building good closet space in the interior walls. I stood on the President's famous, or infamous, new balcony and overlooked the beautiful White House lawns and gardens. I offer no comment on the desirability of this change from an architectural point of view, but I can say the President now has a swell place to relax in com- plete privacy with the full benefit of the Thite House lawn. Our committee covered the Executive Mansion from the roof to the basement. The view of Washington from the roof was awe inspiring and a beautiful sight, as we could see the Tidal Basin with the cherry FORD