Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-25

II IL generally expected that the latest city
post Office bill, selecting the east end Of the
triangular square at the corner Of the avenue.
9Th and @ streets, will become Law, and pend
ing it, passage BY the Senate. 10 which
it has been favorably reported by COM
mittee, great many guesses are being made
40 to the character Of the building TO be
erected. No plan has yet been adopted, but
it was that prepared by Architect Poin-
dexter of this city which WAS before
the House committee when IL SET
tied upon this site. Mr.. Poindexter
three years. and its favorable confederation BY
the committee and its approval BY the
supervising architect Of the Treasury
have been causes of considerable
qualification to him. His estimate
on the building which he recommends is $500,
no thinks. will be large enough for the pur-
poses OF this city for many years to come.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED BUILDING.
1t is to be Of some light stone, probably
granite, piled in an artistic mass to the height
usually assumed BY eight-story buiidings al.
though this is to have but Eve.
sical, not Romanesque, being a compromise
between the severe plaiLness Of the latter and
the foridity Of the classical, al
It is sometimes interpreted. The
effect from directly in front Of the
apex OF the triangle will be that of an i'm
in front Of which are successfully lower
roofs until the eastern end Of the
building is seen to be round
front two stories in height, on top of which il
rooted balcony. Seen from the avenue the
SuiIh.s ;, viii be equally imposing. The
the aforementioned roofs until the
tower looms up in q square solidity, trimmed
on by an ornamental bsluatrsde. Then the
roof sinks trihe on the mex. section toward
the west, and at the extreme western end
a. smaller tower somewhat lower
than the other. The large tower section ID
about in the center of the building and is re.
cessed on the avenue aide about eight or ter
feet This affords opportunity in the third
story for balcony, over which is q
nat roof The windows are 80 arranged as to
present the effect Of q set Of arches on either
| side Of the main doorway. each set consisting
OF three arches three stories in height This
gives square windows in the first and second
stories and round-topped ones in the third
Inc arches are about 20 feet wide and are
slightly recessed.
THE ENTRANCE.
The main entrance is to be on the avenue
side, an immense archway fully Is feet in
width, recessed about Is feet. thus giving q
generous vestibule way, which will afford ample
entrances and exits. Two pairs Of double door
Will lead directly into the building, with othel
doors lsading east and west through the side
walls OF the vestibule. The public will not be
obliged to climb any but the front steps Of the
building in order to transact the ordinary
mail business.
HOW THE SPACE WILL BE Used.
The delivery rooms are to be in the center
Of the building directly opposite the entrance
The registry division will occupy rooms im.
mediately on the west, with the money order
Office in the round at the east
end. The carriers distributing department
will be on the second floor, to which four ele.
vators will run. These will be placed in the
rear, or west end, where there will be minor
entrance into the small tower for carriers and
employees. The c street front will be similar tc
that on the avenue with the single exception
that the main tower section will not be recessed
Here the wagons for the carrying of the mail
will assemble around large platforms to be
erected at height above the street.
The grade in the vicinity Of this building il
very nearly level, 30 that there will be no fall.
ing OF the visible lines around the base. The
lower stills OF the frst-story windows will be
some distance above the top Of a mans head
The ceilings are all to be very high, in order
to let in an abundance Of light, those Of the
| stories above the first being equal.
THE ORNAMENTAL PILLARS.
Here and there on the fronts are pillars ani
pilasters, which will be Of the same material
as the building, probably polished. Mr.. Poin
dexter has never decided as to the character oil
the capitals to these pillars, but they will
be something in keeping with the
general decorations. A little carving in cor
ners and around turns finishes OF the fronts,
aud handsome balustrade on the second root
lends q richness that would be lost with fat
lines. With the exception of the east point
and the arches of the main door and the win
dOwe there are no curves in the plan