The evening times., 1896-07-20
LIGHT AND VENTILATION
Cost of Improved Facilities at
White House and Capitol.
PURE AIR FOR THE SENATE
Work Upon the New Refrigerator
Scheme Soon TO BE Commenced.
Prof. Woodbridge's Plan-Exten-
sion of the Electric Light system,
Executive Mansion improvements.

The sum of $500 900 will be expended
during the presentfiscal year TO provide the
Capitol and White House with light and
ventilation, and to make needed srepairs
and improvements to the buildings and
grounds.
1t is understood that one-lalf of this
amount will be required for the extension
OF the electric light plants in the Capitol
and adjacent parking and in he improve
ment of the ventilation in the Senate wing.
This latter viii include tie installation Of
refrigerating apparatus, in accordance
with what are known as the Woodbridge
plans. the whole to Involve an expense of
$1,000.
Work is about to begin upon the intended
improvements in the methods OF Senate
ventilation. Prof. S. II. Woodbridge has
been for two weeks or more perfecting his
details, and is now about ready TO direct
future operations. The Senate floor will
be taken up for the introduction of the new
plant, aud this neccssitates the completion
of the system and the replacing of the floors
before the rcassembling of Congress.
AIR ICE COLD.
Air will be drawn inby aidof fans through
the shafts located in the grounds west of
the building and after passing through the
refrigerating process will be dispersed
through the chamber, also by aid of fans, in
a rarified form capable Of cooling the Sena-
torial brow In the torrid seasons. In winter
it will be steani-heatcd to warm the Sena-
torial blood.
Ventilation has proved heretofore to be
most expensive luxury at the Capitol, as
evidenced by the records, else there have
been many other luxuries obtained in that
name. The solons rarely permit session
10 piss without bringing the subject to the
fore, and the Senatorial headache has been
of SO pronounced a type that an appropria-
ton was usually applied as ranacea.
1t seems to be the purpose this year to
make a finish of the improvements in that
line. Prof. Woodbridge, by direction, SUBJ
mitted the plans for the system, which en-
braced the refrigerator of modern design.
The suggestion was accepted and the work
OF Installation is 10 te done by the architect
under Prof. wcodbridge's supervision and
the direction Of the Senate Committee on
Rules.
But this is not the only incidental to be
| considered in connection with the ventila-
| ton There isa sum appropriat ed, amount
| ing in all 10 $4,000, for necessary repairs
TO the steamheating and yentilating appa-
ratus, including air ducts, in connection
with the item for elevators, legislative bell
service, and the machinery relating thereto,
| in the Senate wing.
An additional engine and electric gen
orator will be put in as part of the
extension of the electric light service, and
this, with the running of conduits, wiring,
purchase of lamps and fixtures, piping,
| cables for feeder system and the salaries
of electricians, wiremen and laborers, will
cost about $i5 900. The expense for
ligh ting the Capitol and grounds, the
botanic gardens, Senate and House stables,
Maltby building, and folding and storage
rooms of the House, electricity and gas
Included, will this year amount to $24,-
600.
WHITE HOUSE REPAIRS.
The biggest item of expense at the
| Executive Mansion is for its care, repair
and refnnishing. This will cost S2o,-
| 600, and the work is to be done by con-
tract or otherwise, as the President may
determine.
Lighting the mansion and grounds will
| call for an expenditure OF S14,OOo, but
! tliis embraces the service at the office,
office stable, watchmen's lodges, and the
| greenhouses, besides numerous other items,
| even to the purchase OF matches.
The same provision is made as to the
| time the lights shall burn as was incor-
porated in the bill regulating the con-
tract for the District lighting-that is to
| say, not more than $50 per gas lamp
shall be paid for the service; each lamp
shall produce, under all ordinary varia-
tions or pressure and density, five cubic
feet of gas per hour, and lights shall burn
every night on the average from firty-five
minutes after sunset until forty-five min
| utes before sunrise.
The electric lighting In the grounds
| south of the Executive Mansion costs but
| 20 cents per light per night, and will
foot up S511 for the year.
Four of the public spaces are to be
supplied with electric lights. These are
Lafayette, Franklin, Judiciary, and Lin
coin parks, in which there are to be
thirty-two posts maintained, at cost Of
| % cents per light. The wires are required
to be placed under ground, and the con-
duits, wires. and lamp posts are to be
furnished at the expense of the electric
| light company.