Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-11

bureau, his assistant, and the clerical
force of the general offices. The en-
graVers and transferers will oc-
cupy the entire B street front,
In order TO receive the full
benefit of the northern light. To the
rear of the engravers' room will be the
vaults for the engraved stock, arranged
IN such manner that each distinct
piece will be locked up separately, and
access will be had to them only by OBJ
tanning the proper key from the custo-
dian OF dies and plates. On the second
floor will be the examining, numbering
and separating divisions. On the third
floor, which contains Ii, S41 square feet
of flooring, the printing division will
occupy the entire length from east to
west, with capacity for go presses,
and will be the largest printing ofice in
IN the world. The Wing on Fourteenth
street will be occupied as the wettiDg-
room. The attic apartment will contain
the bath, wash and dressing-rooms of the
employees, the male and female depart
ments being distinct, and accessible
only by separate stair cases. The first
floor OF the boiler-house will accommo-
date the boilers, engine, oil burning
room and maceratOrs. The Office of
the macerators will be on the second
floor, which will also contain the laun-
dry for cleansing rags, and the dry-box
with continual temperature of $50
degrees. In the rear o: the dry-box will
be the Decentralization, accessible only
by stairway from the outside Of the
building.
The ventilation of the huilding will
be most thorough. Flues connect from
every pier with ducts under the roof,
where two large exhaust blowers, eight
feet each in diameter, create an album
dent current of air.
The new building will cost $780,
600. It's erection was first proposed In
view of a surplus of $3.50 900, which was
saved from the annual appropriation
| for the current expenses of the depart
ment in 1867. The necessity OF
a change in location, as stated
below, being apparent, Congress was
induced to pass an act authOriz-
ing the purchase of a site and the
erection of an independent building for
the bureau of engraving and printing.
! The congressional committees selected
the present site at cost of $27 900,
after some discussion, the section being
decided without much trouble, but as
to the Immediate locality, there arose
a difference. 1t was finally concluded.
III view of the probable volume OF
smoke, ETC., from the new building, to
report In favor of the point Immediately
south Of the government reservation,
which was accepted. Operations began
about the middle of July, 1873, and the
work has progressed rapidly ever
since. The bureau at present is located
IN the two upper stories of the treasury
department. but It's usefulness is con-
siderabl y impaired by absence of proper
| facilities and from other numerous
causes, while the advantages accruing
from the transfer will be manifold.
The location Of the new building is
within easy access of the treasury de-
partment, and the surroundings are
exceedingly attractive. To the east,
adjoining, is the agricultural depart
ment and the Smithsonian, and to the
west, the alleged Washington monu-
ment. Opposite, on Fourteenth and B
street, are a number of neatresidences,
and In anticipation OF the erection of
the new bureau, several blocks of hand
some dwellings have been put up for
occupation by employees. In front
there is a government reservation, 1.-THE
monument LOTT, extending to the wall
which can be readily improved and
transformed into beautiful park. It is
already popular. as a drive, and its
prospective development is confidently
expected.