Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-03
THE CAPITOL BUILDING.
Architect Clark Gives an Account Of the
Past Years improvements.

Mr.. Edward Clark, the architect of the Capt.
toll, in his annual report to the Secretary of the
Interior, states that the north front and portions
of the eastern and southern fronts of the Capt.
toll have been cleaned and the work is still in
progress, this being the first thorough clean
ing of the exterior marble work since the con-
structon of the building. The building has
been put in thorough repair and the ventilation
OF the Senate chamber improved. The neces-
sty for the increase in the capacity of the steam
boilers before the electric light be substi-
tuted in part for gas Is mentioned. Mr.. Clark
states that owing TO the electric lights at the
head of the stairways to the terrace attracting
insects which disfigure the building he is con.
vinccd that no very bright light should he used
in the grounds near the building, particularly
during the summer season.
He states that the mode of lighting the Senate
cloak rooms, Hobbies, and stairways by the Edi-
son company has given satisfaction, and he
recommends that incandeScent electric light
ing be placed in the restaurants, cloak rooms,
lobbies, and stairways Ut both wings and IN
some other rooms where artificial light is
needed during the day.
The north terrace to the western line of the
building wi i'll be completed during the present
construction of the south and west terraces
Considerable difficulty has been met with to
secure firm foundations for the western portion
OF this work, as the ground has been filled from
13 to 25 feet. Wells have been sunk at suitable
intervals to the original soil, and these are
filled with concrete and masonry as piers for
massive arches, which span them.
REPORT OF THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
MIR. Olmsted, the landscape architect, in his
report, " hich is incorporated in Mr.. Clark's re-
port states that during the year the most i'm
portant work in carrying out the design for i'm
prOvements exterior to the main walls OF the
Capitol has been that OF the south approach and
section OF the north wall and arch OF the tel
race Before Congress meets again a section of
vaulted chamber beneath the roof of the terrace
are expected to be in use. These will be suit
able only for storage and document rooms. The
construction OF the western section will provide
number of wel-ighted rooms for committee
rooms. Progress has been made upon the plat
form designed to serve the base of the in
tended staircase of the west front Of the Cap
itOl.
OTHER WORK UNDER ARCHITECT CLARK'S
In regard to the courthouse in this District
Mr.. Clarks report states that dormitOry and
water closet have been placed in the upper
story for the convenience ofjures; granite steps
have been erected at the main entrances: iron
window guards placed in the lower story for the
security of records, and the whole building kept
In good repair.
An iron frame green house, 72x17 feet, has
been erected adjoining and at the south OF the
superintendents lodge in the botanic garden.
have been laid on the Pennsylvania avenue
side of the grounds.
The amount expended on the Capitol extern
sion was $4,000; on the Senate ventilation,
$4,000; on the Capitol grounds, $50, 900; on the
Capitol terraces S56, 900; lighting the building
and grounds, S25,OOO; enlarging court house
District OF Columbia, 81 800