National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-10

The air in all the rooms on the fourth floor in
this bureau, with perhaps two exceptions (the en-
gravers room and wettng room) was unfit for
breathing. There is abundant air space, 1t VIII be
noticed, in n majority Of the rooms If there was
only proper means provided for removal of the air
rendered impure The great necessity for ycntila.
ton which has existed here Is evidenced by the
rude attempts which have been made to accomplish
the object Prominent among these is series of
rope pulleys, These were found closed in every
instance where a workman was stationed near, and
they gave as reason therefor that draughts were
created whenever they were LEFT open. This was
always the case in windy weather and rains or
storms neccsstacd their being closed altogether.
The folly Of depending upon windows for venti-
lation was illustrated many times during our in
spectiOn. The opening of q window occasions n
draught of cold air, and the one employed near
suffering thercirOm is not slow in closing the
apNrture. EMPLOYEES being stationed near the
windows In every instance il is impossible 10 secure
any supply Of fresh air by this means. Windows
are the sole dependence in majority of rooms in
this building. The only salvation of the employees
in the rooms of this bureau Is the large amount of
| air space in majority of the rooms.
The binding room furnishes nearly $500 cubic
feet Of air space for each occupant and vet the air
in this room, to one coming from the outside was
anything but pleasant, All the rooms are virtually
| communicating they arc connected by corridors
which furnish free ingresS and egreSs to the air
| from each other and the impurities generated in
| each mngng a combination of bad smells Is met
| with everywhere, The stock and soreroOms are
close, sitting boxes emitting their yiIIoted air into
| the work rooms,
THE DREssING-RooMs.
! Pccct pest.holes cannot find terms too strong
| in which 10 condemn the system of what are
termed dressing rooms here, and 1t is earnestly to
! be hoped that proper provision will be made fol
/ the clothing of employees in the building now in
course Of erection. Here are close attic rooms, par
| itioned OF into stalls and literally packed with
| the clothing Of those ~ work. Imagine the con
tents of the wash hbaskct Of hundred or two hun
| drcd families strung M around n small-sllcd room
these garments which have been for days and Otter
weeks absorbing the impurities from the bodies o
the wcareTs, now throwing of their offensive OdOr
into the atmosphere, and that atmosphere beins
| sent out to be brCnthGd by those at work In thC
! rooms adjoining, The only meNus Of getting frcsl
air into these dTGssingrooms, Hs they are termed Il
| by means Of one, and perhaps in some cases two
OF the skygh Ycntil0tOrS already referred tO, aut
! which we found closed almost without exception
Upon opening hem, so as 70 be enabled to breathe
ourselves ana inqHlrlns WY ihGE were hoI not kep
on her head gave her cold, and she was forced Il
close them.
Is stored during the night, while the workmen arl
at their homes and Is replaced by That worn to wOrl
In the morning Combined with the odor from worl
| clothing came that of cold food also. Many, per
hUps ALL of the persons employed bring with then
their dinners or lunches and this food Is left eithe
IN vessels or IN packages win the clothing durin
I cmanatcd from these places cannot be described
As said before the air from these rooms is carrie
ont into tho work rooms and this Is also the case II
every place where thcrcwas any unusual impulit
generated No provision whatever has been mad
To isolate the offensive departments or TO carry Of
!
the moist air was relief to the lungs aud the al
here is probably less impure from the oppOrtuni
ties afforded for absorption ftAC impuriLic, than II
any other room I'm the bureau.
The atmosphere Of the press rooms was very o.
feusiyc These rooms, five in number, have, 1t wi
be seen by reference TO the foregoing table less al
spaCc pCr ClpHI than any Of the others. The min
mum quantity sanctioned by authorities is ..
cubic feet per head whore persons are employed 4
such trades as plate printing, yet here we iind b.
9l7 and n fraction air Spuce furnished Tor cacl
The large press.rOum is, Um informed, the large
room OF It's kind In the world, aud an employC
lold me further "the best" II such be the ia'
plate printers IN other rooms throughout The gldl
have my hearty sympathy How air could be rel
dercd more foul in this room and then be tolerate
! nm at II loss to conceive Ny head ached ler!lDl
after an hours experience
Think of n room or rooms covering lOIvI squal
feet Of surface, employing ilG persons, generutin
impurities by the Use Of numerous chemicals q
heated plates, and by use Of other materials, nun
bers Of BNs'jcts burning the oxygen nom me az
and the surrounding rooms adding their impul
air ana no means being provided for eutilo,ion!
. Public buildings and workshops whore greI
numbers Of persons are crowded together al
beyond the control Of natural and hes