New-York tribune., 1899-06-18
4 GILDED SANCTC NJ.
THE BIrENOS AYRES PRESS" HAS THE
FINEST NEWSPAPER OFFICES
IN THE WORLD
IN THE WORLD.


many surprising things in Buenos Ayres. for II
continually strikes one better class ~
European city transported by magic 10 South
America. out Of a population Of IJO.pD AT
least 10000 Europeans. The two things
that mos, surprised and pleased me were tn"
Jockey Club and newspaper building. The
former is more luxurious and artistic in its ap
pointments than any other club in the world
that I have seen-and have seen most OF the
noted ones.
couldn't resist mention Of this extraordinary
club building but that structure is not the
theme Of this letter
| told that La Prensa' cThe Press n
the leading Argentine newspaper. The build
ing in which that journal Is printed ~ by far the
most remarkable structure Of its kind In the
world Il is the hobby Of Mr. Paz the pro
prieior of La Prenza. and was first occupied
last December. II Is still incomplete in some
Of its details Of interior construction.
Mr.. Paz, "A man Of good family, owing 10 Ger
tain msfortunes started in life a pennies
newspaper reporter Now. At the age Of MY
six. he is said TO be very wealthy man.
can't attempt a full description Of Ia
Prensa' Building but will touch upon few
things that particularly struck me. In the hrst
place all the material was grown or dug out
and fashioned in Argentina The exterior ~
dgnied. but is no handsomer than that OF
many another building. ] didn't get the hgur"s
OF width or length. but IL covers more ground
than The Times Herald" Building. and every
inch ~ its six stories is devoted 10 the uses
Of the paper and its pet objects To begin with.
there is no cramped space any"here. For eN-
ample. each Of the numerous editors has
special room. not less than twenty feet square.
with taste and luxury Of furniture hitherto
NJ known TO the newspaper world Each ~
these rooms is fitted with long distance tele-
phones. and pneumatic and speaking tubes %
the different parts Of the building. so that the
editors can keep I'm immediate communication
with their own and the outer world
RE composing room. on the top hoor. with an
it's kindred rooms for making up the paper ~
perfectly lighted day and night Tn" typ" cases
md everything else on that floor are the latest
l.vrnpment of modern invention and every
"a Ion fnF fh. srrnF. F..rF
nd health Of the men For instance A door
iTens from the composing room into hugo
bathroom. Dutch tiled. and with a dozen or -
shower baths on tha: foor. ard onl} for th'
nen on that floor. kitchen AMI a large
.ating room. both eXc"llently appointed for men
4 that class with neat china. glass ana iab'f-
ware and rather coarse but spotl"s>ly clean a
blecloths anI napkins. Every workingman ~
thcr" - given generous. Wholesome meals. with
a pint Of light native wine free of cost
The oity department on the floor below Is alb
soutey unique. charmngly furnished wh"r"
very man has his widely separated gr"'n-
.lothsl table and special green-shaded electric
lamp.
large room adjoining this IS the reporters
.cstaurant with tables a. daintily deck"d ~
my hotel table in Chicago. There Is a special
kitchen also for this restaurant. ana nor" agn'n
meals of a superior quality are served tre" ~
cost.
The oldest features Of the city department
are the barroom and billiard table-both free.
In Response to my exclamation OF aStonishmtnL
the editor who was acting guide said
There are three explanations Of this barroon.
In Tho first place. We Argentinas are not gwen
drink In the second place. the traditions
and general tone IF the establishment forbid
that any man Of education should make A beast
~ himself here. and in the third place. Mr. Paz
wants to keep the young men In his employ ont
Of temptation by making FOR them here home.
from which they Viii not he tempted by the
lesser attractions of drinking saloon"
For the reporters there is an elaborat"ly
equipped bathroom. with lot Of tub. shower
and needle baths.
are furnished small
rooms in one part of the building for the
homeless pensioned servants of the paper. who
have their special dining and bath rooms
There are two stunningly furnished apart
mentS in the building Of several rooms each
one occasionally occupied by Mr. Paz the
other for the Of distinguished guests who
are non-residents Of BuenOs Ayres. Each ~
these apartments has its own dining room
There is special dining room for the editors
and one. beautifully furnished. for small ban
quets There is library. with walls Of green
silk tapestry. but not yet furnished The books
| did not see they were housed somewhere
waiting for their shelves That room will be
in order within month.
At the back of the building is a large AMI
very fine ballroom and theatre combined with
reception and banqueting rooms. This is hpnt
for charity affairs To friends of the paper
who wish to give private entertainments
The press room is just as complete as every
other department. with the latest Hoe presses
and turns out the edition Of seventy thousand
in an hour. the paper has 90 go To press at
- "A. IN. To escape the robbery of its telegraphic
news.
There are a kitchen and free restaurant for
the pressmen also. | could GO on for pages de
scrbng the other parts Of the building. the
business department. the ARRANGEMENTS for
newsboys. etc. but my hand is tired and you
already have "A good general idea Of this unique
building
Two departments must be mentioned how
ever. In one perfectly arranged surgery
where four noted medical and surgical special
lists alternately treat free of cost. not only en-