New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-09
AN ELEGANT STRUCTURE.
NOT SCRAP OF INFLAMNABLE MATRRIAL-TAsrE
Full oRSAMENTATIoN-A sPLENDID VIEW.

NOT A SCRAP OF INFLAMNABLE MATRRIAL-TAsrE-
Full oRNAMENrATIoN-A sPLENDID VIEW.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.I
WASHINGTON. Aug. S.-1he new building for tho
Bureau of Engraving and Printing promises to be
Of the finest specimens OF brick architecture to
be found anywhere.
When the appropriation for this work was made
by Congress. the cry for economy in public sxpen-
ditures upon every lip. and nothing served TO
procure the appropriation except the pressing ne-
cessIty for some relief to the overcrowded Treasury
Building and the belief winch had at that time just
penetrated the heads Of the lawmakers, that any
project originated or Endorsed by Mr. Edward
Mcpherson certain 10 be carried out wisely and
economically. The sum asked for. 100000. was
deemed absurdy small for the construction of
great public building. Predictions were quite gen.
orally made that large DEFICIENCIES would be created
before the should be ready for occupancy,
The outer walls are, however, nearly ready to
receive the roof Most of the material for the COM
petion of the work is upon the ground and tho
indications are that the building will be finished
before the 1st of January. 1t is remarkably short
time, in the opinion of architects and builders,
because not more than year has yet elapsed since
the work of excavation for the foundations was
begun. What is still more remarkable Is the pros
pect that the cost of the work will fall within tho
appropriation.
Every device for security, comfort and conye-
nence known to science has been adopted in the
plans for the work, and the minutes details Of the
complicated processes which form a part Of the
manufacture of American paper money and secure
ties have been tax en- into consideration.
The structure at Its present stage is an interesting
subject for study. The site chosen Is a commanding
one. The spaciousness of the grounds aud those Of
the Washington Monument and the parks south of
the White House give the building an unobstmcted
view to the north nearly half mile in a direct line.
To the east lie the grounds of the Agricultural De-
partment the Smith oman Institution and the
Botanical Gardens, forming continuous orna-
mental park between TIRE Potomac aud the Capitol
fully mile in length. The walls of the new build
ing are more than three feet thick. Seen from
within. with the skeleton of massive iron Orders
and supports, they seem designed TO last forever.
The chief feature Of interest is found in the eab-
crate system Of outside ornamentation. water
| line of gray granite and a continuous sill of the
same material mark the floors of the first and sec
Ond stories The window stills and portion of the
| ornamental work around the entrance are of brown
stone. All the remainder Is OF brick IN two colors
but nodded into a great variety Of patterns. Each
story has It's special pattern OF ornamentation IN
pressed brick, while over the whole runs a series OF
sprInging window arches supported upon piers
| which extend from the ground TO the roof. Tho
| main entrance is study In brick and stone.
Delicate columns of brick support the arch. Panels
of brick with nodded sunfowers fill the spaces and
| overhead hangs graceful balcony supported upon
| half arches of the two materials combined. Orna-
mental work of still higher order, also In brick, 10
| promised within.
A thousand interesting details connected with
the interior arrang ements which include provisions
for the automatic conveyance OF the materials used
in the manufacture OF paper money from one pOr-
ton of the building to the other; devices for venti-
lation and for guarding against mischief from the
too free circulation Of air methods for conveying
away poisonous gases and for heating, drying, mix
ing Ink, etc.
The plans for the building were drawn by Super
vislng Architect HILL and the work is being carried
under the personal supervision OF Mr.. John
Fraser, archiIeo of this city. When completed.
the building will contain nothing that can burn ex-
cept the paper of which the money Is made. Its
floors are to be of brick and concrete. The fuTui-
ture in the wOrkIng-rOom will be Of metal aud other
uniniamInabie materials.