Evening star., 1886-09-30
THE CAPITOL BUILDING.
Points from Architect Clark's Annual
Report

THE HEATING AND vENTILATING APPARA-
TUs-TrE PROPOSED GRAND STAIRWAY AT
THE WEST FRONT.
Architect Clark, OF the Capitol, has submitted
his report tor the fiscal year epded June 3Oth,
1856, to Secretary Lamar. Mr.. Clark, at the
outset. states that by direction OF the Senate
committee On rules, several changes have
been made in the occupation of rooms
which caused considerable expenditure
he notes all the changes which have
been made (all of which have been
noted in THE STAR, and adds that various
rooms and passages in the Senate cellar have
been shelved for the storage of documents By
direction OF the Speaker several rooms hitherto
used as store-rooms were fitted up for commit
tee rooms skylight was placed in the House
commerce committee room and numerous i'm.
provements were made throue hout the build
ing. The whole interior OF the dome has been
painted, and such portions of the exterior az
urgently demanded attention and the cleaning
Of the exterior marble work OF the building has
been continued. In regard TO the heating and
Ventilating apparatus Of the Senate it is re.
ported by Engineer Jones to be In very salts
factory condition, but he agrees with Architect
Clark that owing TO the peculiar plan of con-
struction OF the boilers. and somewhat to their
work required with efficiency and economy:
that the money expended In repairs is out OF
proportion TO the value Of the boilers; but the
report adds that with the new boilers to be put
In they will probably do the work required for
several years: The report, however, implies
that II would be better 10 ellace them with
those OF more modern construction.
vENTILATING THE SENATE CHAMBER
Mr.. Clark states that the method of temper.
Ing the air of the Senate chamber has been i'm
proved, and that with the completion of the
large air-duct now In progress and the tower,
the discomfort hitherto complained OF will no
longer exist. The engines and pumps OF the
Senate are In good condition and the steam
coli. have been repaired. The heating and
CONDITION. Pps steam i PUMP ior suppISioa u sGoe
water requires new pistOns and r,,ds. The
Ooliers have been In use twenty mine years and
should be replaced Wit others OF modern pat
tern. The cost ot repairing the old ones would
be 90 per cent OF supplying new ones.
!. Inc gas governors paced 10 the lott to regu-
factory, SO Electrician Talcott reports. Elec-
tricity is preferable in the cloak rooms aud
inner rooms To gas.
THE TERRACES AND DGRoUNDs.
The north terrace has been mpleted with
the exception Of the bronze lamps and vases to
be placed on the baiuslrade. The vaults are oc-
cupied for storage and workshops. Satisfactory
Progress has been made in the construction Of
the south terrace and the other portions which
have been authorized by law.
III Is very Important, continues the report,
that the centrai portion, including the grand
StairWays, should De butt tcontemporaneuusIy
in order TO insure the use Of similar IN. ..teral as
to shade and quality, as the stairways and CEN
tral sections are substantially one work, con-
lty In the material than perhaps Is necessary in
some OLner portions of the WORK."
An estimate will be submitted TOR sum sufl.
Client TO build during the next fiscal year the
stalrways and connecting sections, in the hope
tnat II Congress will not authorize the compile.
tlon u will appropriate tor the purchase of ma
terial
THE GROUNDS.
As to the grounds MIR. Olmstead reports that
bronze lamps haye been placed on the piers at
the Maryland avenue entrance, and "Lhinninx
of the new plantations have been begun" The
last oI the decaying trees have been removed
a.,d the growth OF new trees aud shrubbery has
been satisfactory. For ventilating the Senate
twill H. Will Dc recommended tnat an air-duct and
Concrete surface has been provided for the
wheeiways OF the grounds. The coming ses-
oi Lew concrete surface all through the
grounds.
With regard to the new library tentative
the Capitol and The library 70 advantage as
far as the views are concerned.
THE coURT-HoUsE
All the woodwork Of the new portion has
been painted, the drainage improved, the heat
Ing apparatus put In good condition and the
whole interior put in good order.
BOTANIC GARDENS
An asphalt concrete walk has been Laid from
LIST street entrance TO Maryland avenue, and
considerable repairs and extensions made TO
tory has been painted and large amount OF
regiazing done IN the prOpagattng houses. Ali
the houses have been repaired and put in good
been placed around the BarLholdi f0un tain, and
portion OF the west lawn has been filed TO
gsasae; sas & Inc amount appropria.ed for tue Capt.
$35,OUO. OF which S56O.43 remains; xppro.
$56.536.82 remains unexpenued; appropriated
for lighting. $xO.OOO, ali expended.