Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-04

INTENDED.
General Casey has submitted to Congress
his reportrelating TO the change Of plans and
construction Of the new national library build
ing. He presents q complete set Of new plans
for building within the limit Of cost provided
by Congress, based upon the old plans Of Mr..
Smithmeyer.
He says that taking the old plans as basis
work was begun at once with the necessary
force, Mr.. Paul ]. Pelz being employed to
make the plans The new general plans were
completed on November al and submitted to
the Secretary Of War and Secretary Of Interior
for their approval. Should they approve the
designs the work viii be begun at once. Photo
graphs OF the plans are submitted.
The same style of architecture IL retained
ana also the number and height Of stories,
the general arrangement and relative location
OF reading rooms, books, magazines and rooms
for exhibits, admins tration, and other library
work, as in the original plan. The center
building and the reading room are essentially
unaltered from the old plans, while the length
OF the whole building has been considerably
reduced and much Of the crowded space in the
middle OF the plan omitted.
THE DIMENSIONS.
The new extreme outside dimensions Of the
building, not including projections of the GEN.
ter building on the west front, are 3SS feet
north and south by 3lS feet inches east and
west, while those Of the old design were re-
speetiveiy 463 feet 1114 inches by 49, feet 8
inches.
This building will occupy and utilize a con-
siderable part Of the cellar excavation and
drainage system, all Of the concrete founda-
tons for the rotunda, and the central building
OF the west front, and also minor parts Of the
same for the curtains Of the west front, already
prepared for the original building.
GRANITE AND BRICK WALLS.
The front walls will be of light-colored
granite and the remainder of the building
chiefly Of brick and iron, freproof throughout;
a small quantity only Of plain-cut granite being
used in the courtyard walls. The construction
Of the building is to be solid and substantial,
and generally plain in the interior. excepting
main stair hall or vestibule, which will
be suitably enriched in marble, iron and
stucco. In the preparation of the plans
to secure the largest and most appropriate
building for the purpose Of the library of Con-
gress that the limit of cost will permit without
sacrificing the dignifed and monumental
character demanded by its object and location.
gree OF finish that was contemplated in the
old design, while the interior enrichment is to
be confined almost entirely to the main stair,
hall and rotunda.
INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
Book alcoves, stacks, and shelving are pro-
vided for l,l6S,000 volumes Of books. At the
present rate of growth Of the library, say
$4,000 volumes per year, this shelving
would be filed in about nineteen years
from this time, or about thirteen years after
the completion of the building. The remaining
space not absolutely required for administra-
ton and for the display Of engrav-
ings, maps, current periodicals, &C..
will accommodate l,047 900 volumes more,
making an ultimate total capacity in the build
ing of 2,2l5, 900 volumes. This space would be
filed at the rate of growth assumed in about
ffty-four years from the present time. Mean.
time the surplus space, amounting to 26, 900
square feet of floor, might be occupied for
other offices OF the government.
THE PLANS EXPLAINED.
As required by the law these plans have been
made for a building complete and entire
in design and arrangement, and there.
fore incapable of economical enlarge.
ment. The estimate of cost foots
up the sum Of s4,199 800, or 5000 less than the
limit OF Congress. The estimate does not, how.
ever, include furniture. If the interior of the
building is to be more deliberately decorated,
the cost will be increased to 80, 003. l40.
A letter from Librarian Spofford and a mum.
Der of plans and elevations accompany the
report.