The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-29
PALACE OF SALT.
A Osm, In Utah That viii Shine Like riam,nts
In iha Glare of tte SunliohL

The great dome-like structure which
has been rapidly building into the air
down at Salt Palace grounds is now
beginning to look like a palace of salt.
All the frame work and the base boards
are being covered with coatings of salt,
some very thin and some very thick,
says the Salt Lake Herald.
soon the work will begin in earnest
and from then on will proceed rapidly
until the building shall become a mass
or glittering and glinting particles of
SAT- from the waters OF the Great Salt
Lake. The ceilings and portion of the
walls, both inside and outside. will be
covered with layers of salt probably
one-half inch in thickness. AT other
places thick chunks Of salt will be nail
ed onto the walls. Every part of the
interior except the ceiling of the dome
will be entirely covered Woodwork
will not be visible anywhere. The won-
ders that will be seen when the electric
lights shine upon this mass, the bril-
lance and scintillation, may be imag-
ined much easier than described.
1t has required many and arduous ex.
periments TO find method OF putting
the salt layers on the walls. For a time
Ii seemed that no method would. be
found. but by continuous trial j. w.
McGrath, who has charge OF the mat
ter. learned a way by which the salt
may be squirted and sprayed against
the walls and ceiling and yet retain its
native brilliance.
McGrath took an ordinary painting
machine, such as is used by railroad
companies in spraying paint on build
ings through hose and by putting on
one or more attachments he can SQUIRT
the salt, half dissolved or dry. agains,
the walls or ceilings.
Ills machine works with compressed
air made by small dynamo and stored
IN tanks giving pressure of thirty
pounds. Yesterday morning he began
on part of the ceiling under the roof
or the west portico. First there had
been put on the boards a coating of
chemicals like white wash, and the half
dissolved salt was squirted against IT,
After this one coat a mixture Of saw
dust and glue will be put on and two
more coats or wet salt will follow
While this is yet damp finely powdered
salt will be sprayed upon the ceilings,
That viii lend pure white effect on
the surface made rough by the saw
dust. McGrath has his machine so
-egulated that he can spray larger cry
stalls OF salt that will have the sparkle
If diamonds.
To secure rougher appearance at
'ide paper slightly raised and ruff.
VIII be nailed onthe walls. The thin
aver or salt upon this follows all the
ndentures, making the salt assume the |
Irregularities seen as the water Is evan
'rated from IL upon the shores of the |
AXE. VI '"e
But lower down on the walls on the |
'utside there will be placed LAYERS on |
alt some two 10 five inches in thick,
less and the interstices viii be Ell
Nth cement. The finest specimens are
m the magnificent pillars surrounding
ne building. Very thick and heavy
locks with peculiarly rough formations
ave been placed on them. These were
ound on piles at the lake WHORE waves
lau reached up. each one leaving a
ediment until layers several inches
nick were formed. Had enough been
ound IL might have been placed arounS
ne wainscoting on the outside mn
MY r sufhcient quantity 10 cover the
lrge columns was discovered
There viii be no covering NJ cal, unor
ne outside nor the inside OF the dome
would be too costly to nut n sail ,av.
r on the outside. though Arcbi,ect
'lettlng said tnat preparation couid
q round that would v1tbstard ,bo !
ain However n will be covered witb
anne effect unjust tue