The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1893-04-01

Now in His Hands Appropriating S625
600 for That Purposc-The site for the
New Building to be the Present Loca.
ton Of the Rustic Fountain some
Changes to be Made.
HARRISBURG. April Governor Pattison
has the bill in his possessionmaking an az.
preparation of 1925. coo for the erection OF
"a fre-proof building for the state depart
ments, state library archives, battle-Hugs,
state art treasures, geological and orui
theological collections, and authorizing
changes and improvements in the present
main capitol building. There is no doubt
OF tine approval Of the bill by the governor,
who recommended the object of it in his
biennial message.
The present library room is entirely in
sufficient in size for the convenient occu-
pancy and use Of the large and constantly
increasing stute library and there is risk Of
great and irreparable loss from the destuc-
ton OF the library By fire. The battle flags
and other valuable collections also are in
danger Of destruction from fire.
Under the provisions Of the bill the
board of public buildings and grounds will
have charge of the work and is given full
power to make contracts for the erection of
the new building and the furnishing Of the
same, and for the rcmodeling Of the old
structure. The commissioners are required
to complete the work at the earliest date
possible, and make such changes in the
present departments as may be deemed
best to accommodate such officers Of the
state rs may occupy them.
The specific appropriation for the new
building is 100000. The site will be the
present location of therustic fountain south
Of the department Of internal affairs, and a
contract will be awarded as soon as the
architects have had time to prepare the
plans and specifications.
it is expected that the building win be
well under way by July /. The remodel
ing of the old capitol will not be com
meuced until the new building shall have
been completed and Che library and other
| departments removed thereto. 1t is pro
posed to re construct the present hall OF
THE house of Representatives by raising the
ceiling and tearing out the present Hobbies.
This will improve the ventilation and in.
crease the room. 1T has been also sug-
gested that a gallery for spectators ought
to be constructed in the rear of the speak
er's desk.
The elevation of the ceiling of the house
will make necessary the removal of the
lieutenant governors room and the de.
partments of the insurance commissions
and adiutaut general to the wing of the
main building in which the library is now
located, and which viii be remodeled tC
accommodate these and other state officer.
who are now forced to seek temporary
quarters every time the legislature con
veues. 1t is believed that Sl25, 900, as pro.
vided in the bill, win be sufficient to MAX,
such repairs as viii make the old capito
| haAjtable for u few years more.
The present main building was built il
less than two years. In the fall Of 1S1!
the foundations were laid and work sus
pended until the following spring. In 1920
the building was under roof and the fol
lowing year-December p, lS2l-it was
ready for occupancy. 1t is proposed tt
have the new building erected and the re
modelling of the old capitol completed be
fore the next session of the legislature.