Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-03
THE NEW STATE, WAR, IND NAVY
DEPARTMENT BUILDING.
Annual Report Of Col. Casey.

1H@ ~ u W OIAIEs Ans AMI NAV
DEPARTMENT BUILDING.
Annual Report Of Col. Casey.
Tie Finishing Of the East Wing and Commence
ment Of Work on the North Wing.
Col. Thomas L. Casey has submitted to the
secretary OF War his annual report On the new
State, War, and Navy department building for
the fiscal year ended June 3Oth last. He states
that in order to complete the east wing at as
early date as possible, as large force OF men
was kept at work as could be conveniently
handled.
CAST IRON WORK.
The cast iron door and window frames were
essentially finished and in place about the mid
was not completed until December oath. This
work constituted large and important item In
the construction Of the building, and was from
weight OF castings OF this class alone amounted
to 545k tons. All the wash boards and stair
strings are Of cast iron about one-fourth inch
three pediments OF the pavilion were received
and in their places between July 18th and Au-
gust 9th. They were then painted and sanded
The iron work for the dome Of the main STAIR
ways was much delayed In the contractors
hands. This dome with its strong iron girder
support is capable OF carrying heavy load OF
any articles likely to be stored there to the ex-
was completed December 4th. The architec-
tural and ornamental features, as well as the
construction of this dome, were designed in Col
Caseys office.
HEATING AND VENTILATION.
The heating apparatus was mainly In place
at the close OF the last fiscal year. August 18th
sIe, sne neating apparatus being on the hot water
Fires were lighted In the furnaces on the 22d of
the same month to test the condition OF the
immense number of Joints in the apparatus
was entirely satisfactory The suspended sys-
TEN OF main (f1Ow) pipes was covered In the
month OF December with non n-conducting coat
OF asbestos board, &C.
MAIN sTAIRwAYs.
The last stone OF the main stairs was set on
the 18th day OF July. 1t was necessary to await
the completion of the plastering and other
rough work before the hand railing and balus-
ters could be safely erected. The balusters, Of
bronze, and the ratings OF mahogany, have,
except In few places, been all put In.
PLAsTERING AMP sTuCCo WORK.
THIS work was finished about February 1st.
commencement was made In the fourth and
attic stories and continued downward through
the building. All the cornicing and stucco work
was executed at the building. the plaster orna-
msnGs ana moaids being cast and finished there.
similar work In the south wing II the building
In order to continue uniform design and style
OF finish throughout the interior as well as ex-
terror. This Will render the opening Of the Cor
ridors through from wing to wing entirely prac-
ticable whenever it shall be desirable
WOODWORK AND FLOORING.
Ine WOODWORK OF the building consists, be-
doors window sash and water closet finish.
The former are generally Of mahogany. The
greater part Of the woodwork was got out BY
put together and into place during the late fall
and winter under the natural heat OF the build
Ing, the heating apparatus being kept running
at suitable temperature until the wing was
completed and turned over to the departments.
GJ.AzTNQ ANN rYyJN1
For all windows and door transoms the best
American double thick glass or the best British
hoshed POI sop plate was used Except the CELLAR all
with very small use OF slate. This work was
finished In January.
PAINTING, WOOD FINISHING AND pIuMBrNG
This branch Of the work was carried on with
unusual care, with view to furnishing protec-
uon to the material and bringing out the orna-
mentat1on In its natural beauty. The painting
and decoration OF the Secretary's room and the
TWAS performed under contract The plumbing
was commenced November 18th and finished
Marcn 1st. AS the Potomac water service from
higher than the second floor, two sets OF steam
pumps and tanks we're provided. The tank,
nave capacity OF about 4, 100 gallons each, and
may be easily filled in twenty minutes.
GAS FIxTUREs, MAETEIS, CRATES. &C.
The hanging OF the gas fixtures was COM
pleted April 10Th. There were hung 262 chan
deliers and 50 brackets Of all kinds. AS rule
CAAS ASOA0O WClO SuppuCU VIII O-ugQC CDa000.
hers. Thirty y-three mantels OF marble and two
OF slate were put In. Each mantel contains
fire place, which is also ventilating duct, pro-
sae6 to Eash Ss Of the
by the heads OF bureaus or their chief CLERKS
was provided with q set Of picture rods. two
steam elevators, the best, communicating with
every floor of the building, were provided
LIBRARY.
g., THIS M large room, situated on the fourth floor,
In the center pavilion, remains Unfinished.
Considerable time was necessarily consumed tm in in
the preparation OF detail, drawings and the
models OF ornamental work. All the architec-
tural ornamental ana constructive features
were designed and arranged In Col. Casey's OF.
nee, excepting the encouStic tiled floor, the
original design OF which was somewhat mofii.
ned to suit that OF the lowest bidder The walls,
consist entirely OF cast iron, with marble pan
els, and skylight OF ground glass. The gene
raj arrangement or space embraces one large
at the second story by a gallery and communi-
eating through arched ways on the north and
south sdes, IN each story, With alcoves con-
winch connect the stories. In the month of
February the wrought-iron girders frame work
al ano trusses 70 carry acove partitions were put
running east and west, from wall to wall. for
carrying the ceiling and the attic flooring.
rms 1loorlng may be safely loaded with
Welght OF at least $50 pounds per square foot.
1t was noticed that the sheet copper lining of
the cutters on the coping OF the courtyard walls,
although laid with all the usual care with soft
solder connections, frequently gave way in the
joints ana leaked badly. Accordingly copper
lining was devised and substituted for the Old
one, which will doubtless overcome the df1i-
Guilty. NO Sign OF leakage has been discovered
since the Improvement was made, some months
ago, nor In one trial section, which was laid In
December. The labor needed in the several
branches OF direct construction, or putting ma
terlals together In the building, was reneraliy
employed by the United States under skilled
ana careful foremen, by which means work
manshlp OF uncommon accuracy, strength per.
lection and durability throughout was Obtained.
ACCIDENTS to workmen and materials have been
Tor the same reason rare and generally unim-
portant-a noteworthy fact when the many
hazards attending their movements on 40 large
q scale, and the tendency of workmen to be.
come careless from familiarity with danger. are
considered.
DELAY ACCOUNTED FOR
IL was expected at the close Of the last fiscal
year that this wing OF the building exclusive of
the library, would be made ready Tor Occupancy
by March list, 1879; but owing to reduction Of
the hours OF labor during nearly six months OF
the time to conform with similar action of the
navy department at It's yards, one months
extra Time was consumed upon the work AL
though essentially ready on the lst of Aprtl
tl6 date OF fun c0mn1ottOn