Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-09
VENTILATION OF THE CAPITOL.
An Exhaustive Examination OF the System
by . Star Reporter.

by Star Reporter.
HOW THE PURE AIR Is STORED AND PUMPED INTO
THE DucTs-rHE FANS AND how THEY ARE
oPERATED--No IMPURE SMELLS ALLOWED TO
CREEP INTO THE SENATE CHAMBER.
A few Senators have been much disturbed Of
late because they have been unoffcially in
formed that their lives and the lives Of all their
associates are continually in danger OF sudden
abbreviation because of the atmospheric con-
dltons which prevail in the Senate chamber
and committee rooms. Very naturally good
deal OF personal interest was aroused by alIega-
tons that disease romped into the chamber at
will! and there was more than a little commo-
ton when it was stated that death iurked in
the convolutions of lead and insidiously en-
tered the committee rooms through the Exhaust
pipes in tho stationary washstands When a
man meets the grim DESTROYER openly the con-
met may mt times result in favor of tile human
but when the assailant plants his arrow in a
man. who Is engaged III no more harmful occu-
patton than that of removing extraneous i'm
purities from his hands and face tuerc is but
little opportunity for Defense
1t mas been charged that the entire
heating. veniiatirg and plumbing system
in the Senate wing of the Capitol is
faulty This sweeping statement received
decided supper. from the health Off
Ger and the District inspector of plumbing.
Then came special report from one of the
most eminent specialists in the United States.
and. while his investigation was cenerai in its
nature ATS conclusions were diametriualy op-
posite the views and opinions EXPRESSED by the
local Investigators; he was satisfied that while
most of the plumbing was trihe ancient it
was sound and satisfactory.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE SYSTEM
1t Is claimed by those who arc in accord with
the eminent specialist referred to that only
pure air Is served to tho Senate Sunday
morning STAR reporter examined the system
by winch oxygen Is pumped into the senatorial
presence. All the air enters the main duct
through stone cylinder which stands in the
grounds on the west front. This tower is rs
lect nigh and has an area of 80 square feet. The
main duct Is about 500 feet long and 100 square
feet area. 1t Is Of plain brick and clean as any
tunnel could be. There il a complete absence
Oh art or odor, The brick absorbs the mois-
ture with which the atmosphere is sometimes
too heavily charged and thus aids the respon-
| sible authorities in a most difficult task Some
OF the critics have suggested the lining of this
quot with cement; If that done
OF the moisture could be absorbed,
ana as matter of fact there would be more
humidity In the atmosphere when 1t reached
the Senate than would be found in the outer
AIR. When the air is too dry the trouble can
be remedied by means of water sprays, but it
Is extremely difficult to extract alarge percent
20 Va anu AT tue same time keep up
the supply. Even on Sunday, when the rain
was pouring down outside. there was no drip in
the Duct Had marble or cement been substi-
tuted for the rough brick surface there would
nave. been continuous condensation and
generally unmanageable condition of affairs.
A cemented duct would result III 10 per cent
increase OF humidity i'll the Senate cham
Der. With the humidity at 20 and the tenn
perature at az (the average) Senators would
persplre without the slightest exertiOn and the
a IN nSn hnra rnr1Il hn
The matter of temperature and humidity calls
FOR the most skillful attention. The tempera-
ture OF the Senate chamber is controlled by the
presiding officer and has for years past been "
degrees Fahrenheit. with less than half de-
gree OF variation. The humidity is jointly con-
trolled by the atmospheric conditions and the
engineer, with the odds slightly against the
latter.
OPERATION OF THE FANS.
The air is drawn into the main duct by the
operation of three fans, and when these re-
volve at full speed breeze rushes through the
tunnel at the rate Of 2, 900 feet minute-quite
gale. In winter time the fans run slowly
but when summer time comes around the fans
reVolve TO the limit of their capacity. After
leaving the fans the air is heated by coils and
at this point the current begins to lose some
OF its force. Through comprehensive sys-
TEN OF minoy ducts it is distributed throughout
the Senate wing These ducts cannot possibly
entrance OF any stencil or unwholesome ele-
ment is simply impossible. The ducts are alb
solutely free from dust or impurity of any
description.
The supply of air to the chamber is always a
trlfe greater than the amount which is taken
out through the ceiling by the exhaust fans
operated for that purpose; this ID done to pro-
duce slight air pressure in the chamber and
thus avoid drafts Only by the closest atten-
ton can the atmosphere be kept pure in the
Senate. LII there "a full attendance of Sapa-
tors and crowded galleries the temperature
must be reduced down stairs and more air
pumped in.
1t used to be, up to about six years ago. that
doors from the restaurant kitchen climbed
without let hindrance up the northwest
| elevator shaft and disseminated themselves
with annoying thoroughness but an exhaust
ian stopped that and at the same time cut off
the scents that were wont to scatter them
selves abroad through the dumb waiter shaft
OF the restaurant. There is a down draft now.
NEW PLUMBING WOULD LOOK BETTER, BUT
WOULD NOT BE BETTER.
Chief Engineer Jones says that new plumbing
would look better than the present arrange
ments, but itwould not be any better As
rapidly as the necessities become apparent re-
pairs are made, SO that everything il kept in
the best possible condition Occasionally, but
rarely, there will be fault of some magnitude,
but even these are strictly local, for the venti-
latIng scheme Is such that every smell must be
drawn to the roof by the exhaust fans.
Those who understand the matter say that all
re complaints and charges to the alleged
unhealthful condition OF the Senate wing ema-
nate from an employee man who desired
temporary Job and who was retained more than
twice as long as he originally hoped to be.
There was some dispute between him and the
authorities as to few hours pay. and failing
| to make his point, he proceeded, they say, to
| warm things up. Some OF the statements made
| Dy him admitted IN he hIv.
but 1t ID emphatically denied that any deleteri-
Gus air can get into the Senate chamber or the
| committee rooms.