Omaha daily bee., 1888-07-08
ODD CORNERS In THE CAPITOL
The Various Nooks and Passages
Beneath the Dome.
RAMsLEs UNDER THE RoTUNOA
The Ventilating Department. The
Folding Rooms - Vaults and
Underground Ducts-Unfre-
qucnteG Rooms.
Written for the s,mdoy Bce,1

The usual visitor at the national capitol
is generally shown ABOUT the building by
friends or by one of the numerous guides
who make their headquarters in the rOtuuda.
The trip takes him through rooms and
passages which have been described over
and over again. The ewspaperreadng pub
lie is familiar with the ascent of the dome,
the halls of both houses of congress, the
marble room and lobbles. But the vast dimen-
sions of the building enable it to contain
many hooks anu corners which the ord mary
sight-seer has neither time nor opportunity
to explore.
slsts of TWO stories and a basement, but be-
meath this is Il sub-basement which extends
under the whole building Immedi-
ately under the dome in this
Sub-DaSement one can enter, by
a dark narrow passage, the place which is
termed the crypt. This is large, unlighted
room of circular form in which at one time it
was proposed to place the remains of Wash
ingtOn. However, the plan could not be car
ried out on account of the objections of some
of his relatives. At the present time, the
only use made of this apartment is to store
III 1t the catafalque upon which have rested
the bodies of various statesmen who have
lam in state in the rOUunda. This piece of
furniture, heavily draped in black, lends a
solemnity to the room which was intended to
be the burial place of the father of his
couatry.n
In his same suO-basement, beneath each
wing Of the building, are situated different
departments appertalning to each branch
of congress. Each house has its ventilating
department, its foldingroom and its restau-
rant. The hall of the house and also Of the
senate being situated in the center of their
respective wings of the building, have no
windows, and consequently obtain their sup
ply of fresh air through ducts which open
under the hollow floor, Eikewise the impure
al &c IVlNkv off hKF linz frn1 fln
room above the hall. The machinery by
which this is accomplished is stationed in a
large room III the sub-basement 1t consists
of engines large steam fans, etc. The air is
drawn through an underground passage
leading under the walks and vaults from a
small tower in the grounds. But there
are other air-ducts which open under
the walks in different places around the
building. The air is of course, heated be-
fore being sent into the hail. For
this, the vaults beneath the walks surround
ing the capitol are utilized to hold the boilers
| and heating apparatus. lThese vaults are
very numerous and are used for various pur-
poses. Some contain coal, while others are
used by the carpenters, plumbers, electri'
clans, or as stOre-rOoms
Not far from the ycntilating fans is a
large room used as kitchen TO supply the
restaurant Immediately above it, This is
furnished with all the culinary appliances,
but is conducted by private parties subject to
the rules laid down by congress. Next
TO the kitchen are the folding-rooms.
The vast number of public documents sent
out each year by members of congress must
be securely wrapped or enclosed in enyel-
opes. For this purpose a small armies of men
are employed who make their headquarters
in this part of the building. Their rooms are
packed with books, wrappiug'paper and
| benches.
But documents for the immediate use of
congressman are stored in a. different place.
lhe document room Of the house Is a small
| passage leading from statuary hall, besides
the gallery of the old house of representa-
| tives. In the senate, this department
| is directly above the corridor leading TO the
rotunda; Behind this is the senate library
! and by various passages, shalf filled with old