The evening times., 1899-09-29

The annual report of the Supervising
Architect of the Capitol embraces consid-
cradle information and several recommen-
dations to the Secretary Of the Interior.
He says in his report that the question of
ventilation in building of the character
of the Capitol is a very important one. The
ventilation of the Senate corridors has been
much improved during the year, by the,in
PRODUCTION of an entire new system for
taking care of and removing thenair. Of the
Senate restaurant and kitchen. ive ,sd
The enlargement of the boiler ffae, serv-
ice has been completed thus doubling the
flue capacity for the boilers. The east stack
had to be rebuilt entirely. with new work
from the roof up to about twenty feet The
old louvres on the west end Of the roof
were taken down and the roof replaced in
its original condition. These louvres had
become useless because of notifications in
the system of ventilation. The five boilers
were thoroughly repaired, refined, and
cleaned. The steam heating coils, pumps
elevators. and legislative system were
all put in good repair.
Many Of the paintings and statues in the
Capitol have been cleaned and repaired. On
| the 4th of February last the House of Rep
resentatives, by suitable resolution and
ceremonies, accepted the statues of Benton
and Blair placed in Statuary Hall by the
| State of Missouri. On February IL Mr.,
| TilIman presented to the Senate a letter
from Octavius A White, NJ. d., of New
York city, Offering TO present TO the United
| States three historical paintings by the
American artist. John Blake White, of
| South Carolina. The pictures have been
| placed on the walls of the principal corri-
DOR gallery floor, Senate wing. Previous to
their being placed in position they were
cleaned, treated, and placed behind glass to
| aid in their preservation.
The extension TO complete the electric
| lighting of the rotunda il is hoped may be
effected during the present season. but, ow-
| ing 10 the difficulties connected with the
work, ii may be necessary TO ask Congress
for a special appropriation TO carry it for
ward in a manner commensurate with the
| needs. The electric light system has also
been extended to the Supreme Court Cham
ber.
The south roadway leading from the
plaza 10 First Street West has been re-
paved with asphalt. The roadway leading
to East Capitol Street was also repaved
| with asphalt. The several entrances 10 the
Capitol grounds, northside, have been modi-
fed in grade to conform TO that established
| lOr Is street, WHICH was FepdNSu Dy Tue
| District.
Since the original entrance at New Jer-
sey Avenue northwest was formed its i'm
portance as a roadway leading to the Capt.
tol has much increased. The question OF
safety of persons and vehicles became so
important that il was decided to remodel
and widen the roadway and bordering walls
and walks adjoining. The work was COM
pleted, giving to the roadway an additional
width of twelve feet and a rearrange-
ment of the walls and walks to conform to
the new curves and grade. In the act ap-
proved March 3, 1899, Congress authorized
the construction of an intercepting sewer
for the use of the District. Under the terms
of the act the passage of this sewer through
the west Capitol grounds was permitted
Construction of this sewer will cause con-
siderable damage to the beauty ofEitht
grounds, as it involves the sacriheerpf sew.
eral large trees and the tearing out and fu-
ture reconstruction of the walls and walks
at Maryland and Pennsylvania Avenues and
other roadways and walks. The extension
of the electric light system in the Capitol
grounds and their general improvement has
continued during the year.
Attention is called to the necessity fol
ferproofing the roof of the old portion O
the Capitol, and for some action which