Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-05
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Col. Wilson's Report of Operations During
the Month of February.
Setting Out Plants and Repairing
Roadwnys-The Government Print
ing Office Improvement.

Col. ]. M. Wilson has mads report to
the chief of engineers Of operations upon
public buildings and grounds during the
month Of March. Minor repairs were made
to the heating, lighting and plumbing ar
engagements of the Executive Mansion, and
the asphalt roadway at the main entrance
was repaired. The propagation and trans
fer to largo pots Of tropical, subtropical
and bedding plants were continued. Ar
rangements were made for replacing with
stone the upper portion Of the lower wall
and cornice Of the conservatory on the
north and west sides. The pruning of trees
and shrubs, preparation Of flower beds,
seeding Of lawns and repairs of cutters and
fountains in the Presidents grounds and
In the public parks and reservations were
carried on during the month. Roads were
repaired and rolled, lawns raked and trees
and shrubs pruned. Trees and shrubs in
the grounds of the Executive Mansion were
moved from the proposed line of the Eas-
by's Point sewer. which passes directly
across the main roads and the elipse de-
stroying two of the large elm trees and
quite number of valuable shrubs. The
excavation for the sewer is now in progress.
The Washington Monument.
There were 1858 visitors to the top Of
the Washington monument during March,
of which number S,239 made the ascent in
the elevator and 2,374 by stairway, making
total Of 1.0G3, Cos persons who have visit
ed the top of the monument since it was
opened to the public October o. 1855.
The coal tar distiilate section of the main
roadway running from 18th street to the
National Museum needs extensive repairs.
1t will be resurfaced as soon as funds are
available in July.
at the reservation at the southeast cor
ner OF pennsylvania avenue and 18th street
a border of brick has been placed in posi-
ton, border of sod around the outer edge
he ftov, 7
with grass seed. Col. Wilson expresses re-
greet that the lack of funds will prevent the
execution Of the plans for the improve
ment OF this important reservation during
the present season.
Government Printing Office Imnroye.
ment.
In a special report on the project for inn
provements at the government printing
Office, including the erection of fiye-story
building between the southwest and south
center sections, Col. Wilson says that
operations have been in progress during
the month. both by contract and hired
labor, and that the timing of the roof and
construction of cutters, etc, on the addi-
ton to the main building have been COM
pleted. The skylights have been practically
finished, and all the floors have been laid
and windows placed in position. The en-
IRE fourtn floor, covering an area of about
5000 square feet, was transferred to the
puDlc printer March -, and the fifth floor,
covering like area, will be transferred to
him tomorrow.
The foundations and piers for the new
structure between the southwest and south
center buildings have beea completed, and
the iron for the frame has been prepared
and shipped from the mills. Work upon its
erection will commence at once
Under the appropriation act of March .,
1898, plans AMI detailed specifications are
In course of preparation for the new six
story building. They are we'll advanced
and Will be pushed forward as rapidly as
possible. The public printer has notified
Col. Wilson that he will vacate the stables
en- the 20tn instant. The original deed for
the land has been obtained, and the sur
vey made. establishing the corners of lot
%, square GA, upon which the stables are
located. Proposals have been invited for
eXcaVatin5 for foundation and basement
ana for brick, cement, sand and broken
stone for foundation for the new structure
Probable operations during April are to
complete skylights and fifth story Of south
west fireproof structure; to erect steel
frame and commence brick work of new
building between southwest and south
center buildings. to remove stables and
commence excavation for foundation for
new building en- site of printing office
stables.