Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-02
Public Buildings and Grounds.

Public Buildings and Grounds
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CAPITOL BUILDING AND
GROUNDs-THE RECONSTRUCTED COURT HOUSE
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, ETC.
The annual report OF Edward Clark, architect OF
the United States Capitol, for the fiscal year OF
1882, shows the progress made since his last an
nual report In the various works under his di.
recttOn.
CHANGES AT THE CAPITOL.
He states that several additional rooms In tn e
Capitol, formerly occupied for storage, and even
enus of corridors, have been fitted up to meet the
wants of Congressional committees, and that
rooms are now being made In the crypt for the
storage OF books connected with the library OF
Congress Bathing rooms have been fitted up in
the basement OF the south wing and the space for
merly occupied by them has been annexed to the
restaurant and fitted up for USE The elevator in
the House wing has been completed, and that in
the Senate is being rebuilt A warehouse lift
controlled by steam power is being put In the
Senate wing for the convenient handling Of docu-
mentS. A large amount OF painting and other re-
pairs have been made throughout the building.
The old portion OF the copper roof near the dome
injured by materials falling upon it when the
dome was in course OF construction, that 1t no
longer be kept weather tight. and the architect
recommends that a new roof be placed over this
portion OF the structure the coming building sea-
SON.
RELATING TO THE CAPITOL GROUNDS,
Mr.. Frederick Law Olmstead, landscape architect,
furnishes report, in which he says, in reference
to the work on the terrace, that the present joint
committee on public buildings and grounds have
reviewed the plans for this structure adopted
seven years ago by Congress, and 1t is understood
that all its members are convinced that they
should be carried out without needless delay.
Mr. Olmstead says, further. that until Congress
adOptS this conclusion the Capitol grounds must
both be seen at disadvantage and produce impress
SiOnS unjust to the general design Incorporating
them. The construction OF thl terrace viii In
volve no breaking up OF ground or roads or walks
TO the ordinary business OF the Capitol.
THE COURT HOUSE EXTESsIoN-GovERNMENTP PRINT
ING OFFICE, ETC.
Architect Clark says the extension to the court
house In this city Is now approaching completion.
The principal story for the use OF the courts and
Offices connected Herewith will be ready for occu-
patton during the present season, and the other
portions OF the building Will be completed during
the coming winter.
He states that an extension has been erected to
the government printing office building, 95 feet by
60 ieet, four-stores high, and stable for the ac-
wagons.
During the yeer the grounds OF the Botanic gar.
den have been much improved by cutting down
the mound over the Tiber sewer, and VITA the
earth from the same filling tie lawns to the grade
required for the walks.
FINANCIAL. ETC.
He submits statements showing that the amount
expended for the Capitol extension was e57 600; for
lighting the Capitol and grounds, $4,000; for care
and improvements OF Capitol grounoS, $6O,000; for
extension OF government printing office, $4,000;
$4,000.
The report Is accompanied by paper relating
to the trees, shrubs and plants In the Capitoi
grounds together with some observations upon
the planting and care OF trees In the District or
Columbia by Mr.. Olmstead.