Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-08
SAFE AND COMMODIOUS
Recent Transformations at the Old Govern
ment Printing Office.
FfreprOOf Additions Already Erected
and Work Begun on Another
Structure.

Good progress is being made IN the opera
tions for the repair and enlargement Of the
government printing office. Col ]. NJ. Will
son, who has charge of the work, has re-
ported to the chief of engineers that the
nVe-story freproof building between the
southwest and south center buildings has
been completed and transferred to the pub
lie printer, thus finishing excepting a few
MINOR items, the work provided under the
act of August 1Sss1S0i. That act provided
Tor the erection of three fire escapes. the
construction OF an additional story upon the
southwest ffreproof section, the erection of
new five-story building between the
southwest and south center sections and
Inc Strengthening of the H street section.
i ne only work under this project remain
ing TO be done is Strengthening the II street
section. That work is to be undertaken as
soon as the heavy materials are moved to
the new sections. The painting of the
outer walls of the new story on the SOUTH
Vest section is now in progress A large
new rolling door has been placed at the
west basement entrance to the south center
pulldlng and a new iron gate is being con-
structed for the jackson alley entrance be-
tween the southwest and south center
buildings.
The New Sfx-StOry Structure.
Col Wilson reports that the excavation
and construction of foundation walls and
piers for the new six-story fire-proof
structure on the site Of the old stables are
nearly completed, including the under
pinning of the west wall Of the H street
building.
The foundation of this wall. he says, was
found to be of poor material, and great
care was taken to prevent accidents.
Needles of 12-inch timber were run through
the wall just above the foundation. The
wall was thoroughly shored by outside
timbers, and the interior Orders We're well
braced. The work has been accomplished
est cracking of the walls, but was COM
paratively expensive. The ground below
the surface at the south end of the build
Ing was of such soft material that excava-
ton was necessary to greater depth han
was anticipated, in order to reach gravel
Delay of the Contractors.
A number of the iron base plates for the
basement columns have been placed in po-
sition on the piers
The contractors for the steel frame who
Under their contract should have COM
menced work July 8, are considerably be-
h:nd in their work. They offer ,he usual
explanations and have promised that the
erection of The frame will be commenced
on the Goth instant and pushed to rapid
completion. Col. Wilson expresses the
opinion that 1t is better to submit to this
delay and annoyance rather than to annul
the contract, readvertise and be subjected
to the still greater delay incident to such
action Contracts have recently been made
for ornamental terra Gotta, for stone stills,
for windows and doors and for a hoisting
engine and a freight elevator. 1t is pro-
posed during the present month to continue
work or the unfinished portions and COM
plete the foundation of the new building
and the uuderpinnlng of the west wall of
the H street section.