The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-11-18
ARSENAL ESTIMATES.
The Amount Desired to Carry Forward
the Work on the Island next Year.


From the Davenport Democrat, Nov, 18Th
We present our readers to-day with an
interesting statement OF the APPROPRIATIONS
it is desired that congress make for the
work on the Island next year. 1t will
attract the favorable attention of many
readers outside the city.
SHOP g.
The first estimate in the recommended
tions is for Shop e., which is intended to
be an iron working and finishing shop for
the Arsenal: and $95, 900 is asked for to
complete it. It was begun 10 1876, but
has made slow progress, owing to the very
small appropriations for it from year to
year, and this fact has enhanced its cost.
The total amount expended on the building
thus far is $2S0.000.
SHOP I.
For Shop /, $40, 900 is asked. This is
the last one of the Arsenal shops which
1t was begun 10 1878. it is up to the
second story, and the amount asked for
will complete the third story, the iron
work for the second floor, and put in all
the iron work OF the third story and third
floor, build the fourth story. put on the
iron roof frame, and purchase the lumber
for wood work and floors. and stock it tor
seasoning. 1t is very impostant for an
economical and expeditions arrangement
and prosecution of the work of construct
ing the Arsenal that the amount asked tor
should be granted An important part of
the plans for the work incladed III this
estimate is to construct IN the Arsenal
shops, during the coming winter, the iron
roof required for shop L.. The total
amount thus far expended on the building
is $4,000.
For Shop Fl. on the north side of the
avenue, the last but one Of the armory
shops. being an iron finishing shop for
the armory, the sun of 100000 is asked.
Ii was begun in Septem ber, 1878, with an
appropriation of $4,000, and since that
$4,000 has been expended. 1t is esti'
mated that the amount asked for Will be
sufficient to complete ithe third story
(second above the basement) including all
the iron columns and iron beams for fire
proof arches in first and second floors.
THERE is NOW
At the Arsenal very complete faciitle
for manufacturing nearly all the articles
used ia the construction OF buildings, and
carefully organized, selected and trained
force of workmen for doing the work. A
very great saving to the United States Is
affected By the use Of these facilities. The
estimates are made with the view oil
having the progress made on the buildings
| in such condition that fair amount oi
each kind of work, viz: of wood, stone
| i-ou, brick, and other binds ct goTk, can
| be done IN each year
As the appropriation for constructing
the shops during the past years have beer
each year considerably less than the
| that it is the intention of Congress thai
| the work of construction snail be prose
cuted as slowly as fair economy In doing
| the work will alloy; therefore the esti-
mates are reduced to tie least amount
that full knowledge aud experience Of
the work shown is consistent with the best
economy in going on with the work, con
sidering only the interests and Decessltie:
of the work itself.
For an
IRON ROOF STONE BUILDING
for officers of Arsenal and Armory, thu
sum of $4,000 is asked. 1t is to b.
located on the north side of the main ave
1
building, The building is intended as
general Office for both Arsenal. and Armory
and for all the business of the post
will be sixty feet feet by one hundred ant
sixty feet 10 area, comprising two storie
above the basement, and an attic for stor
age. Il will be fire proof throughout.
will CO Incide In architecture with til
other buiidiags of TIE arsenal. The esti
mate is deemed sufficient for procuring
foundations. building the walls, putting i
the iron beams for floor, and other iro
work The important reasons for maxim
J the estimate are; that an Office is require
for immediate use; it has to be bull
sometime, aud the work can be done muc
cheaper and better by doing it slowly, i
connection with othsr work, than afte
J other work is completed. The presen
! temporary rooms are not comfortable, Their
is danger OF the fire which will involve
costly building and destroy the records G
the Arsenal.
For two blocks of
OFFICERS QUARTERS,
$38 900 is asked. At present there ar
quarters for only few of the officers o
the Arsenal and the others are living j
temporary wooden buildings which wer
hastily put up when the military priso
was built on the Island during the wal
The proposed permanent buildings ar
all that are now required, and their con
struetion is very desirable. For an ele
waited
IRON WATER TANK,
Of capacity of 10000 gallons, for fir
Iprotection and general water supply 70
the Arsenal the sum of $1,000 is asked
The walls of the old stone reservoir nov
in use have deteriorated so much from
leakage and frost that they can be retain
ed only with frequent repairs and mucl
difficulty, and there is danger that the,
may suddenly give way, and leave tn
Arsenal without any water supply
Moreover. the elevation furnishes q
FIRE projections only sufficient for sup
plying water to the easements and FRS
floors, and the other buildings have to b
supplied by repumping The propose,
tank would have sufficient elevation 70
fire protection and supplying all the floor
of every building As the water powe
is now j.. operation, and the water sup
lilies pumped by it, the increased powe
required for pumping to high elevation
involves no expense. For.
MACHINERY AND SHOP FIXTURES
the sum of $50, 900 is asked. 1t is pro