Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-06
THE CITY, POST OFFICE
Change of Plan and How It Affects the
Building.
Dressed Instead OF Rough stone
What the oha1se WIN co.t-r'"n.
Were Hsrrlcd Through.

As has been already Indicated in The Star
important changes have been made in the
plans of the Washington city post office
building. The details of these changes
however have not yet been published.
They are briefly stated In a letter written
by Mr.. ORourke. supervising architect of
the treasury, to Mr.. John Pierce contractor
for the construction of the building, dated
May % last, in which he says:
In accordance with the approval of the
Secretary Of the Treasury your proposal
dated April 5. 1894 to substitute No. q
cut work above course BIB. in lieu of the
quarry face work, required by your con-
tract. for the cut. stone work and brick
work OF the basement and superstructure
of the United States post office building at
washington, ID. C., and for changing the
design or the upper portion of the building
above course No. q, as shown by dra wings
numbers Is and 10 and flyers attached
thereto, in amount S23O,9O0, deducting 81 500
for emitting the dressing of the large mold
ing On course Az on three sides of the
building and adding $1,3S6 for dressing
the water table courses Al and B-1
around all the turrets at angles of the
building, In net amount S229 1856 is hereby
accepted, this to be considered as an addi-
ton to your contract, the prices being
deemed reasonable and a public exigency
requiring the immediate performance of the
work. You are advised, however that be-
fore this acceptance becomes operative
you must furnish this office with the writ
ten consent under seal, of your bondsmen
TO this addition 10 your contract"
Early in July the contractor compIied
with the conditions imposed by the slIper-
rising architect, and the latter wrote the
contractor few days ago. saying: I'm
view of the fact that the bond submitted
by you, dated July 2. 1894. has been passed
upon and approved by this department. the
letter of May PC. 1894, is to have fulI force
ard the work therein accepted is to be con-
ndd on
tract for the cut stone work and brick
work or the basement and superstructure of
ire building named, and il is further I'M
defstood that no additional time for the
completion of said contract Is to be allowed
on account of the above additions"
Hurried Plans
In conversation with Star reporter in
regard to the changes in the design of the
building, Mr.. O'Rourke said:
ms Is one of the important federal
buildings referred to in my annual report
tor 1893. contracted for during the late adj
ninistration. the plans OF which were hur-
ried through their initiatory stages and
contracts awarded for a portion of the
" ork, while the bulk OF the office work had
not been touched. making a thorough re-
stuoy OF All of them a matter of absolute
necessity y
The original drawings for the build,ne
On which estimates. Of the bidders were
hased contemplated Tall exposed stone
o".i''i VI tiie walls 10 nave dressed faces
with carved and nlplded trimmings
1t was decided. however when the work
HIs advertised in Jai.uary. lsaS 10 request
alternate an, proposals. from bidders. showing
the work If the fdresked ashlar was left
rough quarry face@ai,d certain portions of
siie Sarning We're pmtted: The proposals
Tor the ne work were1selled February II. lsa8.
facing the entire building with rough quar-
fy-iace ashlar in amount $751;, 900 was ac-
! cepted and CONTRACTED for on March 2.-rsa3.
Neressnr, for beauty.
As this building BwilEb be the highest fed
erai building In the country, and is one of
the largest and most important buildings
how IN course of erection under the con-
troi of' Tie Treasury Apepariment j TIE de-
sign and constructing bf the same have re-
celyed the architects most careful consd-
GRAFTON. and he says he deemed IL abso-
lutely necessary. II. order to give Il correct
expression as an architectural composition
ana 10 properly acCentuate and perfect the
design, that the exposed faces Of the stone
asAiar above the second story should have
dressed faces, IS originally contemplated
he says he also deemed it essential that
TIE design OF the upper portion of the build
ing above course CT, including the roof
construction be modihed, In accordance
with the design submitted which mod.ica-
TONS he says will very much improve the
architectural character of the building and
at the same time materially reduce it's
cost.
A Saving.
The modified design of the upper portion
of the building, the architect says viii
cause saving of s25.VO, and will very
much improve its architectural appearance.
These things, taken in connection with the
saving which may be made by modifying
the interior finish, etc., and by taking adj
vantage of the prevailing exceptionally low
market rates for materials and labor. the
architect says, will enable the department
to complete the building within the limit of
cCSt fixed by Congress, viz, S2,Hn.0N0. o.
The proposed improvements do not alter
the general plans of the building or reduce
its capacity for the accommodation of the
government offices. e.