Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-22
No Postponement in Its Removal to
the New Building.
OCTOBER Is The DATE SET
Contractors Will Be PenaIized for
Any Delay
f ACTS OF TERES I

Some three months ago the supervising
the date for the completion of the new city
post office building and, as stated in The
Star at the time it was determined to push
the work OF all the contractors, so that
everything should be in readiness for the
city post office to move in at that time
There has not been any earlier date as
signed, and consequently there has not
been any postponement of an earlier date
to october 10. but all the efforts of the
supervising architects office have been in
the direction of expediting the work on the
building to insure it's completion by the
time liked. stated above.
Mr.. Kemper, acting supervising architect
of the treasury, said today that his bureau
is making every effort to have the lower
floors of the new city post office building
finished by October II, so that the city post
office can move in by that time.
Stringent Orders Issued.
From the Secretary of the Treasury
down., said Mr.. Kemper, every person is
moving to get the lower part of the build
ing completed. Stringent orders We're given
Superintendent Stewart and the contrac-
tors some time ago that the work must be
done by October 10. The contractors un-
derstand that if they do not complete the
work by the time set heavy penalties will
be imposed l have gone to the building
ana done everything possible to urge the
work along. No living man could have
done more. Under the circumstances it
seems to me that the constant criticisms of
my course are unjust.
Elevators and pIastering
Il believe now that all of the work will
be finished by the 18th, except the mail lifts
or elevators. Whether the city post office
officials can do without these a few DAYS |
don't know. These lifts run from the base
ment to the first floor. and work on then,
is being pushed right along"
Mr.. kemper said that the plaster work
of the cortile and the lifts is all that stands
in the way of the occupancy of the build
ing by the time fixed.
The cortile is the inside court of the build
ing. The lower part of this court is TO he
the working room OF the city post office
1t is surrounded by glass casing. Mr.
kemper said that the plasterers are nov.
at work overhead. The contractor has
been given unmistakablc orders to finish
his work by October l., and il is thought
he will do so.
New Furniture Supplied.
The greater part of the furniture for the
city post office has arrived and has been
stored away ready to be put in place when
the contract work has been completed. Su-
perintendent Hills of the treasury said to-
day that he can put this furniture in place.
arrange the lighting and do everything else
necessary in forty-eight hours, thus caus-
ing little delay.
The furnishing of all public buildings is
in the hands of Superintendent Hills
Nearly two months ago. when it was
thought the city post office would be sure
to get in by the 18th of October Secretary
Gage instructed Mr.. Hills to purchase all
the new furniture needed and have it here
by the 10Th of this month. Contracts were
accordingly made fer about 81 500 worth
of new furniture. This included distribut-
ing cases. desks, etc. for the working room
of the city post office. The furniture ar
rived several days ago and has been stored
in convenient and safe. place in the post
office building. 1t is declared that there IS
no truth in a story that furniture from the
present city post office was moved to the
new building under the supposition that
the building was nearly ready for occu-
pancy. 1t is said that the city post office
officials have never been given to under
stand that they could get in the building
before October Is, and, therefore, had no
occasion to move any furniture until told
to do so.
The various boxes of furniture which
have lately been hauled to the building
consist entirely of new goods
Changes in the Plans.
Tho officials In the office of the supervis
ing architect complain that they are given
credit for delays on the building when,
they say the work is constantly delayed
oy changes in plans from the general Post
Office Department. 1t is claimed that
plans are frequently changed at great eX
pense alter work has already gone forward
In certain way.