The state herald., 1898-11-11
THE DAMAGED CAPITOL.
Loss VIII Not Be as GREAT as at Fir
Feared.

Loss VIII Not Be as Great as at First
| feared.
Washington, u. G., Nov. 7.-Thc
Supreme Court of the United States
sat to-day In the room of the sennte
committee OH the District of Columbia
There was no lar, and the court,
sitting behind long table, was on a
physical level with attendants and at
torneys. The quarters We're SO con
| tracted that It was necessary to eX-
clude visitors. These and other cir
| cumstances rendered the scene some
what incOngruous but the court pro
ceeded regularly with Its work, mani
resting no perturbation over the
change.
No written opinions were rendered.
but this was not due to the fire. There
would not have been any had the ex-
plosiOn not occurred. The time of the
court was taken up with the hearing of
arguments.
report was current during the
morning that the west central wall of
the capitol was cracked as n result of
the explosion. Architect Wood made
careful examination and located the
crack which had arouseu suspicious.
1t proved, however. to be In the outer.
or veneer wall. and not In the six-foot
foundation wall on the west side.
This main wall has stood more than
100 years, and is still In fairly good
condition. When additions were made
veneer wall, about ten inches thick,
was added. The explosion last night
blew out heavy stone door frame IN
the outer wall and this in turn
loosened several stones of the veneer
wall. Mr.. Wood IL satisfied that the
main wall had not been disturbed. His
attention was called to crack In the
main wall. but this he recalled as a
well known old crack which had exist
ed for years.
Mr. Wood says 1t is not surprising
that wall which has stood century
should have some cracks. which do
not. however. impair Its general Sc
curity. He thinks this crack may have
come from the expansion resulting
from the burning Of the capitol by the
British In 1914.
Ihe library of the Supreme Court,
whlch, next to the congressional H.
Drary. Is the most valuable collection
OF books In Washington, escaped with
little damage. although II was In the
center OF disturbance, the wrecked Gle
vator shaft and upheaved floor stones
Deing at the library entrance. II IL es.
t'inated that the loss In the library
Will be covered by $500. The books
escaped intact, the loss being confined
to singed woodwork.
The floor of the electrical room.
under which the explosion occurred,
was completely demolished. Fortu
nately no one was In the room when
the explosion occurred. Mr.. Wood at
the close of the day expressed the
opinion that the damage to the capitol
building could be repaired for 100000.
1t Is by no means so serious as |
first thought It was" said Mr.. Wood,
Mr.. Wood believes the explosion was
caused by gas. Other architects who
have inspected the scene OF the catas.
trophe also attribute II TO an explosion
OF gas. Some express the opinion that
n broken main and n burning let are
responsible for the occurrence.
The work of removing the rubbish
caused by the explosion has been pro.
ceeding rapidly all day. a. to 100 men
being employed for this purpose. As
soon ns the refuse * sufficiently
cleared out the work Of repairing the
damage viii begin. Mr.. Wood thinks
that the Supreme Court room will be
ready for occupancy within two weeks,
The personal effects OF the Justices,
robes. etc. were found TO bc unlnjured
The main loss Of the court was I'm the
marshal's Office and In the storage
room. where valuable old records nr.
kept