The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-01-18
THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
How the Work kof Construction is Pro-
ceeding.


The actual work of erecting the expo
sition buildings at Chicago began in
June, 1891. Now all the buildings are
being pushed rapidly to completion.
Already several are under roof. About
1000 workmen are employed. Work
proceeds day and night.
Women's building. -This is farthest
advanced of all. 1t is rooted and almost
completed exteriorly. Covered and
adorned with 'staff,' it appears like
marble palace. The furnishing of the
interior is proceeding.
Mines building. -The framework is up,
and finishing touches are being put on
the iron and glass roof The ''statf' is
being applied.
Electricity. completed up
to gallery floor, and nearly all OF the
great steel trusses for the roof in place.
Horticulture.-The pavilions are up to
the roof line. The west curtain is rooted
and windows are being placed. Inc
iron work of the dome is being put in
position.
Transportation. - Framework practi-
cally completed, as also roof sheathing
over galleries. Clear-story trusses are
being raised.
Administrations work OF
the four pavilions completed and exteri-
or covering being applied. Iron work in
place up to base of dome, 10 feet from
ground. hHf @0
Machinery Hall. Floor and 5000 sup
porting piers completed; superstructure
going up, and foundation for annex be-
ing laid t7sQs
Observation-Disclosures columns and
gallery Orders and joists in position, and
the great iron columns supporting the
roof being placed. Of the 100000 feet
of lumber which the building will con-
tain, more than half is already utilized.
s. Manufactures and Liberal Arts.-The
thirty and one-half acres of flooring are
laid, and the superstructure is begun.
The huge steel trusses for the roof,
which together will contain more metal,
by 80 per cent, than the Brooklyn bridge,
will soon be raised.
Art Galleries. Basement and floor are
completed and the brick walls have
reached an average height of ten feet
above the second floor. More than
5000, 000;brick are already laid.
Fisheries.-The gallery trusses of the
main building are placed, and the iron
framework of both pavilions is COM
pleted.
Forestry.-This is about three-fourths
| finished, and will be occupied by the
model makers. until spring, when the out
side rustic work will be put on, and the
temporary roof will be replaced by a
matched one.
Dairy.--All the columns are up to the
roof line, and the gallery floor is being
laid.
Work on the Illinois State building
and on the U. S. Government building is
being pushed rapidly. The imitation
Battleship is completed to the deck
4 level.
Insurance is placed and increased on
the buildings as their construction pro-
ceeds. The amount now carried is
above 100000. During the Exposition
it is estimated, not less than $3.50, 100000
or 5000, ZOO, 900 of insurance will be car
ried ON the buildings and exhibits.
All possible precautions are taken
against fire. The Exposition grounds
are already provided with a full equip
ment of fire engines and apparatus.
In the construction of the buildings
about 60, 100000 feet of lumber and 49,
900 tons of steel and iron will be used.
In their adornment will be utilized near
| ly $4,000 pieces of ornamental ''staff
work, of which about one-third are al
ready completed.