Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-11
The New Department Building.

ne Nevt DcV1ItWeht nuhIuHhHe
PROGRESS OF THs woRK-AN0THRR APPRoPRIA-
TIoN wANTED-LETTER OF COL CAsEY-RECoM-
MENpATIoN OF SECRETARY MCRARY.
The Secretary OF War yesterday transmitted
to the Senate letter OF Col Casey concerning
the progress made up to the present time In the
construction OF the north wing of the building
for the State, War and Navy departments and a
programme OF operations for the completion OF
that wing.
WHAT SECRETARY M'CRARy SAYS.
Secretary McCrary, in senaing m the letter OF
Col. Casey, says II ''shows fully and clearly the
urgent necessity for special appropriation by
Congress OF $4,000, at an early date" in adti-
ton to the estimates of his last reports for the
fiscal year ending June 50, 1SSl. II this amount
during the summer and fall OF next year. This
would delay the completion OF the building,
which ought to be pushed forward, and the Sec
retary urges the appropriation.
COL CASEY SAYS
that at the last session OF Congress 5000 900 was
asked to continue the work on the state, War
and Navy department building during the fiscal
year ending June 80. 1850. This sum was eSti-
mated as barely sufficient TO carry on the work
steadily and advautageously during the year.
The appropriation as passed. however, was only
$500 specially applicable to the north wing.
The work is. therefore, left without adequate
means 10 procure material to prevent delay,
and unless more money is provided the best part
or next season for work will be missed. Such
delay would not only extend the time necessary
Tor completion. but would increase its cost.
Moreover n is not expected that Congress will
pass the next regular Appropriation bill until 1t
is too late for 1t TO be OF service for the accom-
plishment OF the desired end. All the work
represented by what is now visible namely eX-
cavations foundations. drainage, masonry etc,
has been accomplished since June 18th last.
There is on hand all the cut granite necessary
for the front walls OF the first and second stO-
rteS. and in few weeks all the cut granite for
the remainder of the building will be on hand.
An order for 81 ,S53.27 worth of cut granite for
the third story has been given. The close OF
the season for outdoor masonry is at hand but
before 1t closes the derricks will be lifted two
stories higher, and other preparations De made
for continuing masonry work when the freezing
season shall pass II the necessary funds are
provided the operations for completing the north
wing will be pushed forward.
REGULAR BUILDING OPERATIONS WILL BE RE-
SUMED
about the middle Of next March and from that
to July 1st will be ample to complete the ma
sonry to the level OF the third story floor. From
July 1st TO November, 1880, all the masonry will
be completed to the roof. During the winter Of
1880 81 the iron roof should be put on and the
heating pipes gas and water service should be
put in and boilers set. The building would
then be ready for the plastering and stucco
work, which should be completed by autumn,
1881. While the plaStertng is being done, the
iron work OF the library should be going into
place. During the summer OF 1881, while the
plaStererS and tron-workers are inside the
building, the grounds in front will be put in
proper shape The following winter should be
employed In the painting OF floors and all sorts
of inside work, so that the wing would be ready
for occupancy in the spring OF 1889. In order to
do all this. immediate steps must be taken to
procure the cut granite and iron work needed
by July !, 1880, as IL would require from now
till then to get these materials ready. Then It
is necessary that sufficient fund be ready to
employ all labor necessary to put these mate
rials together 1t will not do to wait for the
regular appropriation; a special appropriation
must be granted, in order that the work may
not stop.
THE LIST OF ARTICLES NEEDED AT ONCE
embraces the following:-Br1ckS cement, cast
iron columns, etc. before July l, 1850, S3I, 900;
labor and contingencies, s65.000; cut granite
granite for front walls, s19,O00 granite for
courtyard, $4,000; cut granite for two main
StairwayS, $4,000; cast iron windows, doors,
etc., S55, 900. These things are needed by the
fall of 1880, and the total cost thereof viii be
$4,000. There is on hand balance of $4,000,
which leaves S340, 900 as the amount absolutely
necessary to continue uninterrupted the work
ON the wing.