The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-27

square granite tower IL by IL. The inside
finish OF the annex is solid antique oak in
the banking rooms, on the first noor, and
North Carolina pine in all other parts OF
the building.
The second and third floors are devoted
mainly to offices and rooms for light busi-
ness. and on the fourth floor Is an ell
shaped banquet hall, 20x40, and the retir-
ing rooms connected with Harris Hall.
The basement has been leased to the
Evening Cdll Publishing Company for
five wears. and the editorial, composing
and press rooms will be located there.
A hydraulic elevator is situated in the
easterly end OF the building. The two
buildings are heated by twenty-five horse
power boilers.
Lavatories and water closets open out
of the hallway in every story.
Harris Institute building was crested
by the late Edward Harris in 1856. AMI
presented as free gift to the city in 1868
in trust, TO be arranged by board OF five
trustees, who were appointed for life or
until their removal from the city, and
who, when one of their number was re-
moved by death or otherwise, should
nominate a member. to be confirmed by
the Supreme Court Of the State.
The first board was organized as fol-
lows Ariel Ballou, president; Reuben q.
Randall, secretary; Oscar j. Rathbun,
treasurer Joseph T.. Cole and Samuel s.
Foss.
Only two members OF the first board are
now living II. G. Randall and j. f. Cole,
and the trustees at present are Joseph f..
Cole, president; Edward III. Rathbun
secretary Reuben c. Randall, treasurer;
Frank Harris and Emma G. Harris.
The income OF the building supports a
free public library OF 5000 volumes to
which additions are constantly being
made. Much praise is due the trustees
for the noble building which has ] lst
been completed. in which every. citizen
has an interest, and to the building
committee, r. G. Randall and Frank
Harris. under whose direct supervision
the structure has been rear d.
The banking rooms which will be open
for business tomorrow morning are the
best in the city and among the finest In
the State. The entrance leads the visitor
into n vestibule, 3 by g, sheathed in mar
bic, and thence to spacious lobby, IL by
40, with Roman mosaic floor containing
200, 600 pieces OF stone. To the left is a
small private Office, by :.
An oak counter surmounted by grill
work and crest of oxydized silver sepa-
rates the lobby from the banking rooms
proper, and here are seen the signs for
paying and receiving tellers, savings bank
and bookkeeper.
modern description and Is all of solid
antique oak. The vaults are OF brick
three in number, built one above the
other, the lower and upper ones being
used for storage OF books and papers and
are lire proof. The main vault Is by IL
and contains a new Globe safe costing
5000.
In he rear Is the directors room rs by
90. handsomely carpeted with Brussels,
with fireplace and mantel eight feet ia
width surmounted by n mirror by @, be
meath which gas log brightly burns.
A committee room 10xi2, furnished in n
similar manner, adjoins this. Combina-
tion electric and gas fixtures OF dark
bronze shed light upon the scene, and
electric buttons near the cashiers and
teller's desks operate spring locks on the
doors leading into the directors and Gus
toners apartments.
Harris hall and the library have been
thoroughly renovated and decorated IN
quiet and harmonious colors, and present
n tasty and cheerful appearance.
The total cost Of all these improve
ments 10 $4,000 TO the Harris Institute