The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-29
A SKYSCRApER IN JAPAN.
Will be The First House Of Over Three
Stories Ever Built on The Orient.
FROM AMERICAN SPECIFICATION.
a Dakota Man Has Gone 10 the flowery
Kingdom to See 1t Put Up by Wins
ter-Tbe Japanese Weather Bus
reau to be on Top.

Plans have been drawn and specifca-
lions written for the first steel skyscraper
In Japan. IL Is TO be erected IN TOXIC,
near the residence OF the present Ameri-
can Minister TO Japan
Tue work was awarded 10 w. j: Bond
an architect. of South Dakota. who. inn
medlately upon receiving the contract,
packed up his goods and departed lot
the Lana OF the Rising Sun to carry 1t
out.
In land Of seismic disturbances like
Japan, where simoOns. earthquakes ana
tornadoes are common occurrences at
certain seasons OF the year, IT has never
been thought practical TO erect tan
building. The one or two story mouse OF
straw. or earth. or OF wood was consid-
cred the best architectural feat that could
be accomplished.
This new building will be supplied with
steam engines, electric generators, steam
boilers. electric wires, steam heat, pumps,
drums, water supply and elevators.
Inside II Will have a tcrrl-cotta nnlsn,
sanitary plumbing and mail chutes.
The exterior Will be that or any tan
office building, only II will look dlnerent
from standing in the midst OF 50 many
little houses.
This building will be the first structure
over three stories high that has ever
been erected I'm the orient. Years ago,
when the market for japanese wares OPEN
ed in the United States. an attempt was
oflice bnilding which should be the centre
Of commerce. Scarcely had the founda-
ton walls been set up though before
JaDanese shake" came and II cracked
from top 10 bottom. showing what would
be the fate Of building put up on such
foundation.
This new building. to guard against
that trouble, will have structure OF steel
laid upon a solid stone foundation. This
steel framework will be similar 10 the
St Paul Building in New York, and
will be carried up 20 the fuil height or
the building. The floors will be laid upon
t. so that tho entire support VIII be OF the
In the top OF this new building the Jap
anese Weather Bureau Will be located.
This weather bureau Is the nneSt IN the
world For years II has forecasted storms
So accurately that IT has served as sole
guide of the shipping ports Of japan.
But the bureau has worked under disad-
vantaRes. IL has been Obliged 10 take
its observations from steeples. fiom the
-naets ~ steamers and from the Kites or
fishermen. At a certain height kite
will show an adverse current of wind
and the weather prophets OF Japan nave
often been forced TO this rude method Of
obtaining overhead information
canitallsts. for the most part merchants.
They have formed what we call here
"svndicate" and all have put In funds 70
erect this building which will be OF more
importance than any other one enterprise
In japan. .,,.. -.
Ever since Japan showed China what
II could do in modern warfare she has
been busy creating new surprises Tor her
chinese neighbor to see. The news OF
Ii Hung Changes proposed railway IN
China filed her with grief, FOR she did
not wish 10 be outdone In new ventures.
and when Ii came TO this country and
freely discussed elevators. steam heat and
electric lights so that he could 90 home
and tell the Mkado. their chagrln knew
no bounds They fondly hoped 10 keep
China in black ignorance OF their strides
towards higher civilization until they
were ready 10 spring them all at once.
The steel building viii be Of great SER
vice to Americans. The lower floors will
be devoted TO merchandise. and the Amer
lean who purchases a vase can In future
rest upon the dealers classification Of
the same. Hitherto even the japanese
merchants have ACKNOWLEDGED that their
wares were shipped here helter-skelter,
and that a man buying a bright vase
was as apt 10 get poor one as good
one. regardless OF price. just az though
earthen ware and Royal Worcester were