The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-19
THE NEW POST OFFICE.
SEVEN HUNDRED MEN AT woRK-THE vAsTNEss
OF THE STRUCTURE.

SEVEN HUNDRED MEN AT wORK-THE vAsTNEss
OF THE STRUCTURE.
The work progresses apace on the interior OF
the new Post Once, but the job is such tremen.
dous one in it's various details that none but a
practical mechanic can form any idea Of the i'm.
mensty OF the amount OF LABOR already accom-
pished and yet TO oe performed before the host Of
employees under Postmaster James can take pos
session OF The building and attend to the recep-
non and distribution of she daily mails.
MIR. CALVIN T. Huriourd, formerly member Of
Congress, Is the superintendent of the entire
work, and has supervision OF all that transpires in
the building. He Is pushing the work forward
with CONNIE ndable zeal, but he says that won
deriul progress has already been made and that
there shall be no cessation OF endeavor as long
as the government permits q force to be en-
poycd sufficient or the speedy completion Of the
building. Next to Mr.. Hurlburd is General Stem
metz, nanesake OF a famous corps commander
under the Kaiser General Steinmetz Is the chief
executive o.ficer In the building, and is q thorough
ana accomplished engineer. VINO lost leg In the
late war. The General has charge OF all the plans
ana draugntmen's schedules, and, being in charge
oil the supplies, makes very efficient aid 10 tne
veteran Hurburd, who. every hour N the day,
is occupied IN directing ard supervising the de-
tails which have been cordded 70 him.
some IDEA may DC formed o, the work done
daily here by specification OF the force employed.
JUeEc are l4l pldSttiers, WHICH ucluues tDelT MS
sistants. or. as iney are commonly called, the
nod carriers. 1nen there are lbs ianorers
aud ri2aers, the latter being, In many
cases, ola saiors. discharged RON men.
oi-.ar Next come the carpenters VINO number
III, and 20 prlck p:asoDs with 90 PAINTERS, most OF
whom are dong what is called white WORK. or
paintin. sashes and window frames, or the iron
WORK. There are also IL copper smiths and 2S
stone Ynasons, ADD with these may be classed %
workers IN iron. In all there are about 700 men en-
ployed IN anu about the building, and there are IA
watcanlen for night and DAY service. During the
ne
Captain R,cbard !.appn, keep an eye on the work.
men. 10 see taat they are not Idle or under the In
nuence Of liquor The hOuc Tor beginning work Is
eIglt OciOcN IN he morning anu here Is but half
an iicur allowed at dinner time, and at hairpast
Jour O'Clock the men quiz work at a gwen sienal.
thus making OuJ c!ant hours. After the 2oth Of
January there VIII be an hour allowed Tor dinner
ara wOra Will &c Sc at i've O'Clock p. NJ.
when the building is finished here viii be ten
elevators In operation on the Cry Hall 'front.' Tor
the transmlss.On up or DOVE stairs Of the mails TO
and from the wagons. watch VIII all discharge and
me galleries, which run all around the second
/ n0Or VI the Duiiding, leaving d vast and open
space below IN the shape or nuge ~, would
permit regiment Of niantry, 1000 strong, 10
marcn IN platoon fronts, and nearly two regi-
Inents could form 10 line along the walls. The great
opeu spaces OF the building, dark. mi az yet IN
finished, give TO the spectator sense VI neon.
prehensiDe vastness.
Tne flooring in the halls Will be paved With tiles
ana Dotwcen the board floors OF tue rooms and
Inc nard nnished Getting beneath there Will be a
concaye aud convex MACS Of concrete ana cement
enclosing The s1eep lroa latling wnicl permeates
the entre building. so that fire VIII be impos-
suie, as there VIII be no vent. bat fire may
shoulder Tor hours and never get neadway even
II IL should burn the doors or window sashes.