Evening star., 1895-07-13

and limestone. The marble is brought to
Washington in huge solid cubes, weighing
several tons and rough as it is left by the
quarrymen. The contractors have found
1t cheaper to ship in large masses in this
way and cut the marble up into suitable
sizes upon the grounds. This method re-
duces the risk from imperfect stones and
the breakage incidental to transit over
lorg distances on freight cars. 1t also
obviates another difficulty met with in
transporting finished stones When mar
BILE is hewn and finished 1t must be en-
cased in wooden boxes or frames to pro-
tect 1t. The common lumber of Georgia
being full of pitch often stains marble
about which it is placed as a means of
protection. Thus, it has been found ad-
visable on this account to do all the man
ufacturing required to be done here in
Washington.
The huge blocks are sawed by gang saws.
SO that numbers of them are produced at
one operation. Just now the machinery Is
busy upon large slabs of marble about
four feet and a half square and six inches
thick, which ere. intended to be used for
vontilating panels in the front of the 18th
street facade above the second floor. These
panels are to be perforated with triangular
apertures arranged in a beautiful Grecian
design, and afford entrance for pure air
from outdoors.
Other machinery is at work upon the
highly ornamented marble cornice, which Is
patterned with q multiplicity of inset chan
nels, all sawed out by circular steel saws,
and then finished with a most ingenious
pneumatic chisel. This piece of machinery,
which is a. modern contrivance in stone
cutting. resembles the pneumatic drill used
by dentists. 1t works quietly but rapidly
through the marble, the little fine drill
revolving thousands of times every minute
within the steel handle at the end of the
Pneumatic rubber tube. The only evidence
of the little Instruments activity Is a fine
column of smoke rising from the point of
application
The holdings on the long pieces of stone
used in the cornice and tablatureS are all
worked out upon huge planning machines
patterned upon the planers employed in
machine shops. All Of this machinery,
which is ponderous and speeded at a high
rate, is operated by electricity Mr. Nor
cross says that he has found it much
cheaper to use electricity instead of steam,
and the different machines which he has
devised. several of which We're built right
thousands of dollars. Every stone used in
the building is inspected by Mr.. Dillon and
by the contractors foreman, and none have
been permitted TO he used that have shown
the slightest perceptfble flaw. Each work
man is charged with the block of marble
turns over the finished stone he must turn
In to the foreman the design which has
been furnished to him, and with 1t an ac-
cErate statement of the number of hours
which he has been engaged at work upon
that particular stone. Every detail is sub
ject to the most careful system, and by
keeping tab upon all of the workmen it is
an easy matter for the foreman to tell If
any mechanic mas wasted time or done
any ioafing. One workman is expected to
hnish a given amount of work In nearly
tie same time that another will do If
Thus gentle and effective system of emu
lation is produced, and with satisfaction to
both employers and employees.