Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-30

The new building, with its ground rep
resents an outlay of about a half million
dollars. The value of the stock within 1t is
matter for conjecture. The new building
covers lot 100 by no feet. and these dimen-
sions represent practically the dimensions of
the several floors. There is an entrance on
18th street and another on street. Huge
plate glass windows. as near together as
they can be put, make the building so light
and airy that its owner has good reason
for the claim that in this respect ii has no
superior anywhere. Inside there is room
In abundance, broad isles, spacious stair
ways. reception and waiting rooms, and all
that goes to make shopping attractive to
the fair sex. On the east side of the build
Ing there are two large passenger elevators
giving ready access to any and every de-
partment Hard wood is the finish every
where, and electric lights are used in lavish
profusion. huge air well cuts through
each floor above the first, so that II will be
impossible for the rooms ever to become
stuffy or hot at any season of the year.
When a star reporter made a tour through
the new Palais Royal yesterday morning
everything seemed to be in the direst con-
fusion. but Mr.. Kent. the manager Of the
advertising department. was probably right
when he said that by Monday morning ey-
erything would be ready for the hosts of
visitors who are expected to throng the new
oulialng. ALREADY 1t was easily possible to
see how the various departments were to be
arranged, and the result was complete ad-
miration for the head which had designed
so great an affair in such a satisfactory
manner. On Monday visitors will be able to
see for themselves how admirably all ar
rangements have been made for their COM
fort and for the suitable display of goods
For the benefit of those who are unable to
call during the day Mr.. Lisner intends to
keep the store open from 1880 to 10 o. clock
Monday evening, when an elaborate electric
display Will be presented. No sales will be
made on that OCCASION which is really in
tended to take more the attributes of an
evening reception.
1t may be Of interest to intending visitors
to have at least a rough diagram of the sys-
tenn by which all the different departments
are arranged. The huge basement will con-
tain the departments of house furnishing
goods and bric-a-brac and oriental goods
The stock of Turkish rugs is large one
and the portion of the basement given up to
1t is fitted up In oriental style. One large
corner is given up to japanese curios, al
though there Is another department for
smaller wares of this same class on the
floor above. In the basement are also dis
played lamps, clocks, sewing machines and
confectionery. In the northeast corner of
the basement is the cashiers Office, to which
all cash sales will be promptly reported
Here there is an elaborate system of pneu-
matte tubes leading to and from all portions
of the building. Four miles of brass tubing
were necessary for this purpose There are
seventy-three stations throughout the build
ing and fifty-six receiving tubes. all under
l,SD
cubic feet of air per hour to maintain the
system, and this OF itself will furnish a
thorough means of ventilation. Ten cashiers
will be required to attend this branch OF the
work. In the rear is the shipping depart
ment and the cloak room for the GOO clerks
All goods are received at an entrance ON
18th street and sent over a track in the
basement to the freight elevator and thence
carried to the goods receiving room on the
fourth moor. In the engine room i'm the
basement is all the machinery for the ele-
vators pneumatic system and electric light
Ing. There are two engines one of seventy
five and one of 100 horse power: two 500
light dynamos, sixty-fve arc lights and
1000 incandescent lights throughout the
building, and four eighty horse power boil
ers. An artesian well furnishes 10000 GAL
Ions of water a day. and this will be used
for all purposes. including the supply for a
handsome marble fountain on the first floor
On the first or main floor are the depart
ments Of laces. gloves, ribbons, ladies neck
wear. handkerchiefs. mems furnishings. UNI
brellas, jewelry, silver and plated ware.
hosiery, merino underwear perfumery and
toilet articles leather goods. buttons and
trimmings, stationery and engraving, books,
cutlery, notions. shoes and japanese goods.
In the northwest corner, above the level %
the floor and inclosed by curtains is the
manicure department with an expert in
charge. Below is an office Of information
where complaints may be made, and where
lost and found articles will be stored. Half
wav up the stairs to the second floor Is the
ladies' reception and waiting room. This il