Evening star., 1897-05-03

cate design. while everywhere about the
base of the walls arc profuse arrange
ments of luxuriant foliage plants.
To the right of the entrance hall Is a
bureau Of Information, lin which are de-
pesited a large number of pamphlets con-
tanning the propositions that are to be
submitted to the congress for discussion
and decision. The roonS to the left. for
merly devoted to the board of trustees
of the old Corcoran GaIlery-of Art, is the
retiring room. from which long coat and
hat room extends. NJ
A nrn6ch Post once.
Opening from the retiring room, and oc-
cupying the old bronze room. is a branch
of the city post office. thoroughly equipped
in every particular for the delivery and
dispatch Of the mail Of the delegates. All
mail intended for the delegates will be re-
them. All mail sent out by the delegates
will be received, and, cancelled in this pest
office. and postage will be affixed free Of
charge to the delegates This office is in
charge of Mr.. Charles NJ. Merrill of the
delivery division and Mr.. Benjamin Park
hurst of the mailing division of the city
post office. whom Postmaster Willett char
acterfzed today as two OF the most valu-
able men in the service, and 1t win be their
endeavor to give the delegates practical
object lesson in the workings Of our postal
system. ....-t-~ ,.-.,..... -s.
In the Congress Hall.
None Of the other rooms on the lower
floor of the building will be utilized, but
those in the second story have been decor
ated and furnished with remarkable taste,
and the harmonious effect presented by
them IS in good keeping with the purposes
for which the building was originally erect
ed Mounting the main staircase, which is
decorated with oriental rugs of beautiful
pattern the visitor passes into the old main
gallery. which will be known as the con-
gress hall during the sittings of the con-
gress, between a pretty and tasteful ar
rangement of foliage plants rising tiers
above each other.
The first glance at the arrangement and
decoration of the congress hall reveals the
possibilities of modern art as applied to
interior furnishing. 1t would be Impossible
to. imagine an apartment more sumptuous
and elegant and at the same time more
impressive in it's harmony. 1t will doubt
less convey to the foreign visitors lasting
impression Of the taste and Discrimination
of the new republic. The vast apartment
is Study In red Upon the walls, from
the rich mahogany wainscoting nearly to
the cornice, are draperies of rich crimson
silk plush, gracefully draped from bur-
nished rods of brass. Above this are the
coats-of-arms of all the countries repre-
sented In the postal union. with the flags
of the respective nations. states aHd depen-
dencieS they represent undulating above
them From the cornice Is fooped the same
Silken drapery that covers the walls, and
at each corner, extending forward and up
ward are two American flags, whose golden
stats are hidden in masses Of the national
colors from which they seem to spring.
The crimson effect of the wall decorat tions
is continued and heightened in the rich vel
vet carpet which covers the floor.
The Desks and Presidcnts Platform.
Arranged in semi-circular form are the
commodious desks which will be occupied
by the delegates. They are of mahogany
and hundred and sixteen In num-
ber. and before each is mahogany chair,
upholstered in red Russian leather The
presiding officer and the secretaries will oc-
cupy raised platform on the north side
OF the. apartment. A canopy of crimson
silk plush, heavily trimmed with gold
fringe and at the folds drawn back by
golden cords, extends above 1t. Poised
above the center OF the canopy is an Amer
lean eagle. with outstretched wings, all in
gold and upheld by either wing is a small
silk American flag, heavily fringed with
gold
Hung against the crimson drapery at the
ok of the platform are two United States
shields. surrounded by .silken American
flags, which float from golden stsffs, be-
tween ..yhich Will be hung a portrait in
oil of President MckinIIey. At the left OF
the platform and at its base is an, i'm
mense terrestrial globe. In each corner of
the apartment are great masses of tropical
plants, whose glistenins green foliage
brings out with remarkable effect the har-
monies in red which characterize the treat
ment of the room.
The Committee Galleries.
The broad ..rtrances to the east and
west galleries which extend from the con-
gress hall are closed on the hall side with
handsome crimson silk plush pertieres
These two galleries will be used as COM
mittee rooms by the delegates, and their
M h. affa
an artistic sense.
The east gallery IS remarkable COM
bination CT green. The walls have been
given vernal touch. and from the cor
nlceS droOp dark green draperieS of Siken
plush that hoped in delieately ar
ranged folds, while flowing scarfs of the
same drapery hang to the floor in each
corner. The carpet is of green velvet of
exquisite tone. Two long quartered oak
ia oles covered with green billiard cloth ex-
tend almost the length of the gallery, and
handsome overstLffed arm chairs. uphol-
stored in Turkish design. effectually add
to the beauty of the apartment. The west
gallery Is similarly treated. hut the pre-
valli1g tones are blue instead of green, and
produce an effect no less pleasing and ar
tistic. The walls of both galleries are hung
with pictures of American scenes, and the
portieres on the committee rooms side are
OF armorial tapestry
Rich Reception Rooms.
The southeast and southwest galleries
will be utilized as reception rooms. Heavy
silk brCcade portieres of crimson guard
the entrances. and when pushed aside re-
veal new and equally wonderful beauties
Crimson velvet carpets cover the fieors
and in the center of each is an immense
Persian rug. whose soft and rich colors are
in perfect harmony with the other furnish
iLgs
In each room also is large center otto
man in silk plush of crimson, above which
extend the broad arms of a luxuriant
palm. The remainder of the furniture OF
these rooms Is of the heavily tufted Tur-
ksh design. upholstered in crimson satin
brocade. The walls are tinted in perfect
harmony with the furnishings of the apart
rent.
Between the two reception rooms In the
octagon apartment where the Greek slave
stood for so many years a buffet has been
arranged. The walls here are hung in
dark red silk plush, and over the carpet OF
crimson velvet is stretched a rare Turkish
rug of beautiful design. The room Is
divided by mahogany counter, which Is
hidden by dark red draperies of silk velour
hanging from massive bars of brass.
Behind the counter are handsome quar-
tered oak buffets with beveled mrror-front,
which stand on either side of commodious
serving table. Small mahogany tables are
arranged around the walls and the re-
nainder of the room and In fhis delightful