The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-17
IN A HURRY TO MOVE IN.
UNCLE SANS OFFICIALS WAITING
ON THE NEW BUILDING.

w \ III AE<N NJ
The Exterior to BE Finished by Jan.
1.-The Contracts VIII Then Be Let
for the Interior Work-LOeatiOn %
the Offices so Far as Designated.
The Postomce to Have the First
Floor and the United states Courts.
weather Bureau and other OIL
Gals the second aud Third Floors.
The work on the new government build
fng. has progressed 70 a state where Il is
easy to gain an idea OF what the building
is TO look like when completed. All Of the
side walls are up. and il only remains for
the tower to he finished in order for the
contract Of Miles and Bradt TO be carried
out. There yet remains inside work for
this firm TO do. but it. viii be done while
the tower is building.
It is expected that the completion Of
the entire work that falls under the con
tract Of Miles & Bradt, viii be finished by
Jan. !. As soon as they announce their
contract filed and the work is accepted,
the department VIII contract for the finish
ing Of the inside Of the building. The con-
tract with Messrs. Miles & Bradt calls
for erecting the walls. putting on the roof
of red thing, and the ceilings Of the sew
eral floors.
The department has evinced a DISPOSE
ton to hurry the work on the building
There has been some little delay, but
there now seems TO be a great agerness
20 have it finished. All of the government
officials, who are to 90 into the building
as soon as it Is ready for their accOmmoda-
ton, are looking forward with pleasurable
anticipation 10 the time when they can oc-
cupy the spacious and convenient apart
ments.
The first floor is TO be occupied by the
rostofice alone. The business of the Of
fee will require all Of the space on the
next floor will be located the weather bu-
reau offices. Observer Sherler will have
his Office in the northwest corner. An
observatory will also be reserved for the
bureau in the tower This will not be in
Its top, but will be the first Of the several
stories of the tower. a part Of the sec
ond floor and also OF the third viii be
devoted to the Offices OF the United States
court and the officials.
The plan that will be followed in allot-
ing the Offices is not yet known. As much
IS in accordance with the statements Of
the officials who have received that much
information from the treasury depart
ment. under the supeTintendance of which
the work is done.
The building is to be as thoroughly fire.
proof as it is possible 10 have it. The
fire-proof floors are now being put in.
They are formed of clay wedges that are
received from the Stevens Pottery Com
pany. They are not solid. but have pas
eages running through, and are so laid
as TO have the wedge sides formed on the
principal Of the arch. 1t is impossible for
the floor, although made Of clay, TO break
through. On top Of the foundat ton of
clay will be laid cement, and on top or
this, In turn, will be laid the wooden
flooring There will be but little wood
Used, however, in the construction of the
building
Looking at the work on the building no
one can fail 10 note the magnificent carv-
ing that has been done In many parts.
The places that bear the richest testimony
to the skin OF the stone carvers are over
the entrances on the President and Bull
street sides. The main entrance IS on
President street. and 1t Is there that the
finest OF the carving IS seen. There are
three doOrways, approached by marble
steps, at this entrance. Each of them Is
wide, and above them are carved branches
OF some OF the trees Indigenous TO the
south and which are the best known. A
large window has two of the doorways
on either side. This window, being the
central point from an architectural point
Of view. has had the greatest amount OF
carving done about It. over the window
are carved branches of the acanthus.
Above 1t and on the second story Is the
well known face of Uncle Sam" Those
having business inside will always enjoy
his countenance as they pass in.
The same general plan Of decoration OF
Is continued on the second floor. This
floor retreats somewhat from the line upon
which are the walls Of the first, but the
same trees are represented over the
smaller doors and windows as are seen on
the first floor.
The main frieze that runs just beneath
the cornice Is the handsomest OF all the
carving. It is made up of cornucopias,
and the fruits and flowers OF the south.
Dies Of pink, gray and green, or verdi
antique" marble are placed at regular in
tervals and add greatly to the effect. This
frieze runs only around the two pavllions.
as the east and west wings of the build
ing are termed, In distinction from the
center or curtain walls.
Each side OF the building, with the ex-
ception of the rear, which is on York
street, has a liberal amount Of decoration
on the marble. There is some on the York
street side well, but not the first
story could IL be seen there to as great an
extent, a shed room for mailing pur-
poses, which is not in the contract of
Messrs. Miles & Bradt, would obscure the
work if ii should be placed there.
All of the stone carving was done here
in Savannah. The designs for the work.
men to follow were sent out from Wash
ington. Much of the symbolic coat of
arms of the United States. and the gem
orally accepted representations that stand
for the progress and enlightened condition
Of the people is 20 be seen in the carving.
The shield and flags, the eagle, the sword
torch and scales of justice, the cornucopias
pouring forth their treasures Of coins and
the winged wheels may all be seen.