The evening times., 1899-11-13

With the exception of the House and
Senate legislative chambers, the cloak
rooms. and the walk from Pennsylvania
Avenue to the Capitol building the repairs
and renovations being made for the COM
fort Of the Senators and Members at the
Capitol are about completed. Nearly all
OF the corridors have received more or less
paint, the beautifying effects being appar-
ent to all, but the corridor at the east
front leading to the Senate ladies' reception
room, and that chamber also, have received
especial attention. The corridor has re-
ceived an entirely new dress Of terra Gotta
and gold. the several pieces of statuary
there have been cleaned and remounted,
and the pictures have been retouched and
placed in newly gilded frames
The ladies' reception room has been dec
GRATED In delicate tint OF terra Gotta and
pink. with profusion Of gold. Paintings
representing War. Peace, Education, and
Art have been artistically executed ON the
ceiling. and the cheerful appearance Of the
room now is pleasant contrast from its
former condition
AL OF the committee rooms have been
treated to a liberal supply Of paint, new
furniture. and new carpets, and their ap-
pearance is inviting.
In the room occupied by the Committee
on Naval Affairs. Of the House. portion Of
the old carpet that was on the floor OF the
House has been used. The portion used
was thoroughly cleaned and 1t looks now
like a new carpet.
Captain Boutelle, who hopes to be re-
tanned as chairman OF this committee, was
given this carpet by his request, and its
olive green color certainly adds much to
the charm OF the room.
The committee room Of the Committee
on Appropriations has received a hand
some red carpet and some tapestry OF the
same hue. Joseph Cannon has long been
chairman OF this committee. and 1t is un
derstood that Mr.. Henderson has promised
to let him retain the place when the COM
mittees are announced by the new Speaker.
The corner room. occupied by the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds,
has likewise been repainted, and bright
carpets and neat curtains have replaced old
ones. David H. Mercer, chairman of this
committee. will probably be retained in
this position, for he is. perhaps. more ia
miiiar with its business than any other
member Of the House.
The walls and ceiling of the Interstate
and Foreign Commerce Committee, pre-
sided over by Colonel Hepburn, has been
newly painted. the furniture upholstered
and the excellent carpet cleaned. Colonel
Hepburn is hopeful Of retaining the chair
of this committee.
The changes to be made in the Senate
will be few. and will consist prin-
cipaily Of e thorough cleaning. In the
House proper a new carpet will be laid.
and as will also be the case in the coax
rooms. There will be no furniture worth
added this year because of the
OF the appropriation, and
also because the House is expected to take
action on the report Of the committee
appointed at the last session to determine
the advisability of reducing the size OF the
House chamber, and excluding desks used
by Congressman therefrom-
This committee favors separate rooms
to open in the chamber wherein the desks
may be placed and be kept ready for the
use Of the members. This plan, il adopted.
would lessen the amount Of space required
by more than a third, and former Speaker
Reed favored the proposition. for. as he
said in respect to the matter, "the chamber
IS now SO large that members on opposite
sides Of the House find it impossible to |
hear all. and. sometimes, any, of the re-
marks made in debate"