Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-20
NEARNGCO. APLE
The Library Building to Be Finished
Within q Year.
MECHANISM IN TEE GREAT ROTUNDA
Removing the Last Of the Old
Residences.
BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS

l.
Late in the past week work was begun
on the demolition of the last Of the original
buildings that formerly occupied the double
square now the site of the new Congress-
ional Library building. The larger of these
buildings stood On tho northeast corner,
and was occupied until few days ago by
Mr.. Bernard r. Greene, who has from tho
first been Gen. Casey's chief assistant in
charge of the work of construction. Here
was assembled force CT clerks and
draughtsmen, together with all the neCes-
sary Accomplishments Of the great task Of
intellieently directing the erection of one
of the largest and most beautiful buildings
in the world. Behind this building was
another, smaller structure, filled with the
paraphernalta Of the work. These two
houses were once residences, that on the
corner being regarded as particularly fine
in appearance in its day. 1t was of an CID
fashioned type, and looked comfortable.
In the row that stretched between it and
the Capitol grounds, one block distant,
were many other fine old mansions that
Were all swept away ruthlessly to make
room for ths imposing pile of granite and
marble that Is now approaching compile
ton.
Moved the Offices.
When the work had progressed sufficient
ly MIR. Greene moved into the library build
ing Itself, taking one of the rooms on the
ground floor for his own office, and scat
tering his force, now somewhat reduced, in
the various apartments that are habitable.
Gen. Casey has a desk in Mr.. Graene's
room. and keeps an eye personally on the
progress of the work. He is intensely con-
cerned in this great project, and attends to
details with all the enthusiasm and Keen
ness Of interest that he formerly showed
In all of the engineering problems Of great
magnitude intrusted to his care by Con-
gress and the War Department.
The work of tearing down these old
houses. which alone stand in the way Of
the completion of the park around the
library, was started at once after the con-
tracts had been let for their sale and re-
moval, and the agreement Is that they shall
be entirely out Of the way Of the graders
ana PAYERS by the LIST OF April. Then the
curbs will be extended to the corner, and
the foundations for the lawn will be laid
ard the grass sown. so that in all
likelihood this summer will find the entire
park surrounding the building brilliant
with the greenest of turf, adding MATERIAL
ly to the beauty of the structure, the out
size OF which Is now completed.
Active Work Inside.
Inside Of the walls there Is yet a great
deal Of hustle and hurry. The work is still
In progress in the great rotuEda, or read
Ing room, where the flooring has not been
laid and the mechanism Of the great GEN.
trail desk Is unfinished. The work of put
ting In place the new book elevator has
been started, and in a short time 1t will be
given practical test. This device is the
invention. in part, Of Mr.. Greene, and Is
thought to be perfectly adapted to the
needs OF the library. 1t communicates with
each OF the stacks repositories of books
and Is designed to carry the volumes to and
from the central desk in the rotunda with
out the aid of human assistants. The ap-
paratus works on the principle of an end
less chain, with fingers" or brass baskets
at intervals, capable Of holding a large vol
ume each in such a manner as not to in
jure the binding in any way. A book being
called for by a reader in the central room
or rotunda, note or memorandum Is writ
ten and sent by pneumatic tube to the sec
ton where that volume is known to be. The
book Is then placed in the carrier by the
assistant in the stack. and goes forth on its
travels toward the central desk. When it
arrives there it is lifted from the finger
by corresponding set Of hooks, which OPP
crate smoothly between the parts of the
carrier, and SO take the volume out Of the
reach of the traveller. This is done gently,
and 1t is planned in such a manner as to
give greater speed than can be obtained
by the use of human agenc. es without hurt
ing the books themselves.
The Book Elevator,
<AS TIC apparatus Is DIS yet only expert
mental. 1t has been decided to put but one
chain in position at present, communicate
ing with the north stack. If that works
satisfactorily on test, to be applied as
soon as possible, the entire system will be
the tunnel that has been dug between the
library and the Capitol. 1t will take but a
few minutes for any book desired BY
reader in either building to be delivered.
and it is anticipated that all this will be
done in SO quiet manner as not to disturb
the readers gathered in the central hall.
Al present this hall looks rather chaotic.
The great circular scaffoiding is still in
place. the finishing touches having just
been put on the beautiful fresco at the
peak Of the dome. There have been only
three of the statues that are to adorn the
caps of the eight pilasters put In place, and
until all OF them are set the scaffolding
will pr obably be left as it now stands I'm
til this is removed it will be impossible for
the visitor to obtain an adequate idea of
the beauty Of this great room, with its
wealth of color and it's perfect harmony of
light effects. The marbles are, of course.
all exposed to view. the dark brown of the
Tennessee showing in fine contrast with the
ye1lower and redder tones of the Sienna
and Numid1an marbles. The floor Is to be
of white marble thing, which has not vet
ready for setting, but 1t will not be put in
place until all Of the other work in this
apartment has been finished, for the reason
that it might otherwise be injured
The clock that is to fill the center panel
OF the western gallery that opens into the
rotunda has not yet been made, but it will
be ready in season, says Gen. Casey. 1t is
to be large and elaborate, with five bronze
figures surrounding it. One is to represent
Time, surmounting the whole with a figure
typical of the hours on either side. Below
will be two readers, characteristic of the
uses of the room.
Lighting the ROtunda.
Gen. Casey and Mr.. Greene have recent
BANEFUL INDIGESTION.