, 1876-04-23
THE NEW CUST0M-HOuSE.
SATISFACTORY PRoaRESB.


Ths block bounded by Adams, Clark. jackson, and
Dearborn streets Just presents scene Of xnnima
ton and shows that the United States Building
in this city is progressing. Yesterday afternoon
TRIBUNE reporter went On tour Of observation
through the precincts Of the coming and
PostOfee. After leaving Sapt- Burlng's Office, aud
being given into the hands Of the Master Machinist
Mr. Milo II. WalbridEe, the reporter found himself
winding through abyrinths Of brick, stoae and NOR
tsr everything apparently being in confusion yet the
work going with remarkable rapidity. The
south poruco looked at and the black aud patched
roofing stones which caused much Investigation
were criticised ouce more,
been completed, and the second story commenced.
The half Of the west front OF the first story haa been
finished since the 10th Of March last
large x1nount Of brick to being laid. Thcro arc
from to fortycght 6ricklayers at work each
day, aud they put in pate 10000 bricks daily This
large building. Yet when it IL taken into considera
tion that o bricks will build twostory and base
cns house Is feet front by so feet Deep the laying Of
40, ,o00 bricks day il small job after all.
THE sIoNEwoRK
ia also being done "a rapidly as possible consistent
tho Immense pieces in p1ace at the rate of over 1oo0
cubic feet day. During tho week the roof Of the
north porco haa been put In place It consists Of four
took some time 10 lay these and the Last was put in
position Thursday- In front Of these immense pieces
Of stone placed the carved coping These
little chunks weigh on Al nverage over tons each,
and It takes some time to place one, besides requiring
much care from the setter.
Tho front walls feet In thickness to top Of first
story. md hollow, 90 aa to allow for 'front.' Adore
the first story tho wa1la taper slightly, but thickness
Of feet Is aintsined TO the roof At the present rate
Of 1t u expected that the second story Will be
completed By the 1st Of July AZ esch story is hn-
ished. the derricks have to be ralsed and this is
labor which requires Rome weeks.
It IL expected that
THE THIRD STORY
will ba completed by fall and be ready for roof by the
tins winter sets n It iE anticipated that the contract
for the roofing will be let about August Septem-
ber It viii be remembered that Architect Mullet de-
signed sort Of Turkish Mausard roof, with mosque
Like douea. turres, etc. Theae dcns away with by
rytsug Architect Potter who has designed roof
Of his OWL to conform to tie general syla Of archi
lecture Of the building It is said to be unique and
original though the plans have not Jet been completes
and it Ii expected that the building will BE- completed
In about two years moro.
Superintendent Edward Bur,ing has entire charge
of tho construction, assisted by George
G. PruEsing, who has tbs control Of the stone
cutting, and employs 3s3 men at that work. Thomas
Nicholson Is Master-Nechausc- He has go at
work on the building. John Angus is the Master
stoneaetter. Louis Weck controls the forty-eiEht
hriCkAyera and thor he1pers. oseph Roberts is the
Master RiSger, and he has charge Of the fifty
who have control OF the derricks Milo H. Walbridse
has charge Of the ongines hosting machines, ETC.,
and he to It that tue machinery is kept in good
running condition. The Government is now employ
ing some TOO men on tho building, and the payroll
monthly averages from $47Oo to $50 600. whia the
general e1pensen foot about S1o0 COO in a It will
slowly come would believe, but progressing fast
is consistent with safety. supervisng-Architect
Potter IL expected in town In few days, when he will
bring along the tbs plans for the desgned roof.