Evening star., 1900-10-02

sion, both In the length Of the central pa
vlion and in the width OF the wings, and
other notifications tending to economy OF
construction were suggested to the archl-
tects.
1.-The working drawings prepared by the
architects after this first revision OF the
plans were on a scale OF detail, materials
and workmanship, so elaborate and eXpen-
sive as to far exceed in cost the funds avail
able This work contemplated rich treat
ment in raised surfaces, molding and orna-
mental work on the exterior stone walls
copper and very heavy green slate on the
roofs bronze window shades, entrance doors,
plaster caps and other ornaments; rcn iron
balustrades and grilles: mosaic floors, very
ceilings and vaultings; colored marble finish
for the interior of the general delivery
room limestone walls for the bicycle room
in the basement; fine oak wainscoting and
paneling throughout the first and second
stories; ornamental ceiling lights, etc.
1.-The design also required the best white
marble exterior above the basement and
Milford pink granite In the basement Walis
and all outside curbing main entrance exc
dra, platforms and steps, and the curved
walls Of the rear driveways.
Proposals for the construction OF the
building, secured in May, 1860, upon the
modified drawings considerably exceeded the
amount available. and were necessarily re-
jected, while the plans and specifications
were subjected to further revision
FINALLY the desired end has been at
tanned The foundation work Is completed,
having been provided for under separate
contract. On August !, 1900, proposals Tor
the general construction were Invited by
public advertisement upon the hnaiiy
contract was made with Richardson q
Burgess OF this city for The erection OF the
building complete, and equipped with all
misunderstanding book stack, elevator,
lighting fixtures and furniture-for the sum
of s277. 900 which, with the cost OF the omit
ted items, foundation " ork, commissions TO
architects and superintendent or construc-
ton and miscellaneous expenses, Will ex-
haust the $3.50 200 donated for public library
purposes by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie.
The New Library anfIding.
sThe building to be provided sznder the con-
tract and now in course of construction, is
to consist Of a rectangular central pavilion,
III feet 5 inches long (north and south) and
90 feet 10 inches broad, with equal wings,
east and west respectively, each 3 feet
inches long (north and SOUTH and "a feet 10
inches broad. The structure will thus have
q ma ximum width on the basement line OF
219 feet 10 inches at Its front (east and
westl and a maximum depth of Ill feet
inches in its central pavilion on the north
and south line.
."The building is to stand in the center of
| Mount Vernon Square, east and west, but Is
| 70 annroach at it's rear close to the north
| line OF the square, thus placing consider
| able park space south of the structure, and
enhancing its architectural erect as us lons
south front and main entrance are ap-
| preached.
."The area Of Mount Vernon Square is
| 1aO 2I9 square feet (5G9 feet 9 inches by 255
! foot q inches) The area to be occupied by
| the library Is II. .307 square feet.
| ..Thus. nearly seventh-eighths of Mount
Vernon Square are untouched by the new
| building, and the park space available Tor
public use includes the ground upon whicn
| the best trees are growing. The park sur
| rounding the library building will furnish II
| setting of green, and will increase both
ita comfort and its attractiveness. On the
| other hand, the location OF the library upon
! a small fraction of the square will insure
| greater care and attention and expenditure
/ Of money in developing the remainder OF the
/ mark for the purposes of public use and rec
/ reation 1t will not be permitted to remain
| neglected and unkempt.
Gents accompanying this report show the
/ arraneement of the rooms OF the library,
/ and suggest the exceeding attracttveness
| of It's exterior appearance.
| Ra.ement Admirably Lighted.
| "rhe basement is but partly below the
/ ground level and Is admirably lighted. wei
| ventilated and in every way serviceable fol
1 any library use. In the central pavilion
| the basement is occupied by the entrance
i hall and bicycle room, the lavatories, pack.
/ ing room, receiving rooms, lunch room
| bindery and the boiler room, extending
| down to the sub-basement The east wins
| is devoted to storerooms and rooms for the
| ianiror and house cleaners and serial
| women In the west wing the basement Ii
| one entire room. not yet assigned. Thii
l ing room, when the demand for juvenile
| accommodations outgrows the space pro.
vided on the firSt floor for this purpose, OF
| when the child,yn's room on the hrst dool