Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-05
The New Quarters Of the Money Order
Division.


Division.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING-How IT CAME TO BE
ERECTED-IT WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPANCY BY
OCTOBER 1sT.
One OF the provisions of the Post Office appro-
priation bill for the year 1912 authorized the
Postmaster General to rent suitable quarters for
the money order divisions OF the Post ONCE de-
partment and the Sixth Auditors Office, respect
lively, at an annual rental OF $1,000 Accommoda-
ton for one hundred and fifty clerks was required,
needing an estimated net superficial spaceof ii 900
feet. A commission was appointed by the prede-
cessor OF the present Postmaster General to asce-
tain whether suitable accommodations could be
obtained in the neighborhood OF the Post ONCE
building, but owing TO the smalness OF the appro-
priation they failed to obtain such accommOda-
tons. Soon after Postmaster General Howe came
into into Office he obtained from Congress for
this purpose an extra allowance OF $1,000,
making 5000 In all. This legislation was
attached to the special deficiency bill to enable the
condition OF the department building before hot
weather set In On the passage Of the appropria-
ton a number OF proposals to rent and build
made Including offers OF the May building, the
Second National bank building, and the lie DrOit
building, In every case either the building was
TOO small or the amount asked was greater than
the appropriation made by Congress. Finally Mr.
r. A. Hooe came forward with an offer to build
square 406, just west OF the Post Ofce department
building. After some consideration the Postmas-
ter General accepted tls offer, and contract was
entered into containing substantially the follow
Ing povislons: Mr.. HOoa was to build a substan-
t1al building on the said property to
CONTAIN AT LEAST 1900 FEET OF SPACE
for clerks, exclusive OF halls, walls, stair-cases
cellars, ETC., to be completed October 1st 1892; to
contain an elevator and an improved steam heat
ing apparatus, and to be connected with the de-
partment building by a bridge from the second
story. Mr.. HOoe stipulated that the building
should not cost more than $50 0OO which stip ula-
ton the Postmaster General accepted, with the
prOyISO that the government might purchase the
property at any time within two months after the
beginning OF the next session OF Congress for
$4,000 The Postmaster General agreed to take a
nve years lease OF this building when completed
at yearly rental of s. ,000 the amount allowed by
Congress for the purpose. AS temporary accom-
modatlons for the two divisions the buildings
known as the Lyon House and the Hooe Bull ling
were taken. At the suggestion OF Mr. Hooe Mr.
John L. Smithmeyer was agreed upon as the archi-
tect TO carry on the work.
AS RESULT OF THIS CONTRACT
the present building corner OF Sth and E streets
was erected The building is in dimensions so
by S7K feet. and 100 feet from the ground to the
top of the roof, and is built in the Gothic style of
architecture 1t is held that it is practically fire
proof. The floors are double and filled in be
tween with three inches OF cement The stair
ways are of iron, and the building is furnished
with an iron fire-escape. The roofs covered with
two thicknesses or slate, thus preclud1ng the pos
sp rdy 6, 81 d. Snit u from without The building
exclusive OF halls, walls stairways, cellars, etc.
being 3,213 feet more than called for in the con-
tract The building will contain an Otis elevator,
speaking tubes. electric bells, fre-plugs on each
floor, and pneumatic clocks There viii also be a
water-tank in the attic OF 1900 gallons capacity,
together with force-pump for filling the same
This was necessitated by the Inadequate supply
OF water afforded by the city. and will be great
Improvement over anything that could have been
obtained In any other building The building is
In SO forward state OF construction to warrant
the belief that 1t will be quite ready for Occupa-
ton on or before the list Of october next the pc
riod mentioned in the contract.
The aggregate amount OF the contracts for
building, elevator, heating apparatus and connect
ing plldse together with the fees OF the architect
LOT plans ana superintendent, reaches the sum
OF SS9i6 leaving trihe over $500 for incidental
expenses and extras.