The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-03-29

Washington, though brief, rs interesting. ItS
growth has been phenomenal. On the 18th OF
July, 1889, about eighteen months ago, the
exchange was Incorporated with membership
of less than twenty-five. Since then the mem
bership has increased so rapidly that now there
are no less than two hundred and fifty full
members, and applications are almost daily
filed.
"When we leased the building on street,
our present quarters said Mr. Thomas King,
the secretary of the Exchange, 1--WE thought
the capacity sufficient to accommodate us
not only at the time of organizing, but for
FIVE years to come. We, of course, were san
guine concerning rapid increase of member
ship when the benefits to be derived by such
an organization come to be thoroughly un-
derstood, but did not count upon such an
tonshing increase as has been our good for
tune to enjoy. Thus, you see, our quarters
have speedily grown too short for us, and we
have had to erect our own building, which
will be open for occupancy by the 1st of June,
and magnificent one it is.
''No other Exchange in the country has been
favored with such a remarkable growth as
ours, and very few, indeed are propretors of
their own buildings. New York has a Build
ers' Exchange which has been in existence for
the past twentyeght years, but is still in rented
quarters. Many thought that such an Ex-
change would prove failure here on account
of the jealousies popularly supposed to exist
among builders and contractors, owing to their
frequently bidding against each other on pro-
posals for construction of various kinds But
if any feeling has been inspired among our
members it is one of a fraternal nature, and so
far from developing such jealousies the con-
slant and habitual intercourse between them
brought about here has abolished it. Another
good result is that the quality of the work
done by the members in their respective lines
has been undoubtedly improved. The Ex-
change is like one great consolidated Office
This is made apparent by the fact that nearly
all of our large membership have their mail
addressed to this building and transact the
bulk of their business here.''
''What is the capacity of your new building
on Thirteenth street ?" asked the reporter.
''Well," replied Mr.. King, ''we will have
four stores on the ground floor and twenty
five Offices above. On the first floor fronting
the street is a large hall sixty-five by ffty-fve
feet, which will be devoted exclusively to the
business of the members of the Exchange
the 'Change-room, as it is popularity called.
Here also we will hold permanent exhibition
of all sorts of builders material, such as stone
terra Gotta, mantels, tiling, etc. The value of
such an exhibit can readily be seen and ap-
precated, and it is our intention to make it
not only of interest to those Immediately con-
csrned both in manufacture and consumption,
but to others. Undoubtedly 1t will furnish
people with as much interesting information
and instruction as the Smithsonian, because
it will illustrate the uses of all the materials
and inventions of modern construction and
appliances. The inventor, too, may here ex-
hibit his work to advantage we'll as the
manufacturer, and bring 1t before the peo-
pie who put it into practical service.
'sPerhaps an architect wishes to show client
the advantages to be derived from a certain
class of material-for instance, stone-and the
ways in which it can be worked up. Instead
of running about to the different stonemen he
can drop right in here and find exactly what is
desired at the exhibition. So can a builder or
any one SO interested.
''But to return to our new building con-
tinued Mr.. King, ''on the same floor with the
'Change room and Immediately in the rear is q
large hall, 55x65 feet with twenty-fiye-foot
ceiling, which is to be used for public meet
ings. This hall has seating capacity of nearly
thousand. Leading from the lobby on the
lb DdIcOuy, W DC uScu ny flblIOTl
or orchestra to suit occasions festive and other
wise. This overhangs the public hall TIL,
building is supplied with Whittier's high-speeC
hydraulic elevators, and is heated throughou
by steam supplied from two 240-horse-powe
boilers. Every room is lighted with incandes
cent electric lamps, and although we hav,
nothing unusually elaborate, still everything 4
entirely substantial and comfortable, and wei
,fo1f fla, af
the building. Competent attendants for tn
comfort and benefit of members and visitor
will be engaged"
81 suppose you have already disposed o
considerable space in the eXhibition-room p
remarked the reporter
''Yes,' Mr. King said, ''we have now dis
posed of two-thirds of this space for which w
receive s. per square foot One of the mos
prominent features of our plans for the futur
is the establishing of an industrial school 70
American boys. We expect to inaugurate
trades school capable of accommodating be
tween four and five hundred pupils. In thi
they are TO undergo a course instruction en-
bracing all known trades. The instructor
will be thoroughly practical mechanics an
craftsmen, and the pupils will graduate wit
a comprehensive knowledge of whatever trade
they may pursue. Perhaps" concluded NJ
King, ''it may be found necessary to call O
the public for some assistance in carrying OF
this project, but ] don't think we will hay
much trouble in getting it for such a laudab
design"