Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-04
M E NACING EALTH
Foul 0dors From the Cellars of the
Capitol.
Old Volumes Rotting Away-A Radical
House Cleaning Recommended by
the Inspecting Committee.

A subcommittee of the House ventilation
and acoustics commi ctee Visited the subter-
ranean recesses of the Capitol Saturday
afternoon on a tour of inspection to see for
themselves the origin of the foul air which
ascends from the Easement and vitiates the
atmosphere which Congressman breathe.
Chairman Shell and Mr.. Walker comprised
the committee and they were escorted by
Architect Clark Of the Capitol.
The things which they saw-and espe-
cially the things which they smelled-urged
them afterward to exclaim with the man
in the song, "We'll never 60 there any
more"
1t will be remembered that several weeks
ago, as related in The Sta at the time,
several sanitary experts Of the govern
ment service II spected the system of ven
tilation Of the House and reported that 1t
is bad, very bad. After enumerating many
causes of foul air In the House and faulty
ventilation they reported that one promi-
nent source of contamination of the at
mosphere is the cellar under the Capitol.
They said that there are thousands of
tons Of decaying and moldering matter in
the cellar constantly communicating the
air. and there Is outlet for this
tainted air except up the stairways and
elevator shafts into the main building
the consequence is that the pure air which
is famed into the building Is constantly
ny tLc atmosphere lTOHl DclOW.
To Clear the Vaults.
The committee went down to see what
there is in the cellar. The first place they
struck was a series Of vaults in which
are stored 100000 volumes of govern
ment publications. There are GO0000 vol
umes in one apartment, and many Of these
books have been stored there for thirty
years. They present vast bulk of decom-
nOSinV blp which iS r.
ly tainting the atmosphere with impuri-
ties. The committee will recommend that
these books be distributed pro rata among
the members, carted away and the vaults
fumigated and whitewashed A number of
other rooms were visited in which old docu-
ments are stored, where they are mildew-
ing and rotting away, and these rooms
will also be included in the clearing out
recommendation.
Other Places.
The committee visited the bath rooms
where the Congressman is bathed and
rubbed down at the governments expense.
and found that more ventilation should be
furnished. They communicate directly with
an elevator shaft. and the impurities ascend
the shaft to be distributed around the cor
ridors and halls of the upper floors.
In the rooms under the terrace the COM
mittee found cords upon cords of fire wood
stacked up, room after room filled with
waste paper and rubbish, and the atmos-
phere SO close and foul to be almost un-
bearable All of this air ascends directly
to the upper regions, having no other out
let, and mingles with the atmosphere which
The members breathe. The committee will
recommend that these rooms be cleaned out
and whitewashed and a system OF ventila
ton arranged to keep them supplied with
fresh air.
In the kitchen of the House restaurant
they found a strong current of air venti-
lating the rooms. The trouble is however.
that the vitiated air Is not carried out O.
the building. but penetrates the upper cor
ridors, and one can stand In the hall, four
stories above. and tell from the odors what
Is being cooked I'm the cellar
The committee made thorough inspection
of the entire cellar. and will hold a meetiny .
at an early date to present proper legisla-
tion to correct the evils found