Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-17
COMMITTEE ROOMS
Twenty-Eight New Ones Provided in
the Capitol.
IN PLACE OF LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Work Night and Day to Finish
in Time.
EXPENSE ABOUT $4,000

The most extensive improvements in the
Capitol building made since the marble
terrace on the western front was construct
ed are now approaching completion. The
space in the old section of the BUILDING for
merly occupied by the Library of Congress
is being converted into committee rooms.
1t has been very successful, and senators
and representatives. when they arrive next
month will have occasion to be gratiiied
at the result of the attempt to increase the
accommodation of the Capitol
Altogether. twenty-eight rooms. occupy
Ing two floors. will be formed by the par
titioning of the old library wing. They
will be completed by the time Congress
meets and will he ready for occupancy as
soon as they are assigned and the appro-
pirate furniture selected. according to the
wishes of the chairmen of the committees.
Thus far no attempt has been made to
sign the rooms and there will be a great
scramble for them when Congress meets
The House committee on the District of
Columbia will attempt to secure one of the
- larger chambers. the present quarters of
the committee being totally inadequate.
When important bills are up requiring
hearings before the full committee 1t is i'm
possible to furnish accommodations for all
citizens who desire to attend the hearings
and whose presence may be desirable and
necessary. in fact.
Fourteen committee rooms will be given
the House and fourteen to the Senate. and
both bodies will fare alike in the relative
location and size Of the rooms. Nearly all
of the rooms are light and airy and some
of them of ample dimensions. They
Will be easy of access from the House and
Senate and yet have degree of seclusion
and quiet through their location away from
the main corridors.
Authority for the Changes.
Authority for this work was given toward
he aIn nSt hn I,c+ e,
the adoption by the House and Senate of
the following joint resolution:
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled That the
rooms and space recently occupied by the
Library of Congress in the Capitol building
shall he divided into three stories. the third
story Of which shall be fitted UP and used
for reference library for the Senate and
House of Representatives. and that portion
of the other two stories north of n line
drawn east and west through the center of
the rotundd shall be used for such purpose
as may he designated by the Senate of the
United states. and that portion of the first
ana second stories south of said line shall
be used for such purpose as may be desie-
ma ted by the House of Represenfstives
And such sim as Is necessary TO make the
construction herein provided for Is hereby
appropriated out of any money in the treas
ury not otherwise appropriated, the sum to
be expended under the direction OF the ar
Chitect Of the Capitol
1t will be observed that an indefinite ap-
preparation was made by the resolution and
no limit was fixed upon the expenditure
full discretion being lodged In the architect
OF the Capitol. Mr.. Edward Clark No com
putaton has yet been made of the probable
amount OF the expenditure, but in round
numbers II Is estimated at about 500 600
an contracts nave been approved by the
secretary OF the Interior. and dsburse-
Hehls made through that office.
Worked Night and Day.
As soon as Architect Clark received the
authority Of Congress for the work he
turned the whole matter over to Mr. Elliott
Woods. assistant architect Of the Capital.
who has prepared the plans and supervised
the execution of the work. The first brick
was laid August To- and since that time tho
forces have worked day and night to com
piete the Job in time for the assembling Of
congress At the outset difficulty was en-
countered OF n serious character When
the old structure was torn awav and the
foundation for the new work was about to
De commenced upon plans drawn for the
occasion. II was found that the uindnn,s
and doors of the old building were nor
true" This necessitated the abandonment
OF the plans and the building Of the fOund,-
.ioh by the bricklayers with the rod as
incs.
Solid masonry was put in. about 300 600
DF!ck being used. There are II, 900 square
hna1l
feet of marble base. Each room, VII b,ra
b fireplace. with marble mantel Ameri-
can marble being used Steam hoat and
not and cold water will be furnished aacb
room and that section of the building viii
nave complete modern system oe ventiIa
toil. The rooms will not be decorated until
next summer: but are finished In white at
ms time The woodwork in the doors 20
solid mahogany. and everything abuut ,hs
place is Of the best quality
ne man entrance I" the apartments will
be from the rotunda in the same Wv ~
the Library of Congress was formerly en-
tered The little lobby between the roiun5o
anu ihe new rooms Will be very ornamen-
tsi, however Ten marble columns. with
carved capitals. will support a marble Gill
ing The side walls will be of marble also
ana marble baIustrade will surround the
stairway leading to the lower floor
Arrangement of Rooms.
Passing through doorway from this lob
ny, one VIII enter the main hall of the new
suite running north and south In a cross
Ieau-ng 10 the balcony. outside the old
HbraTy on the west front of the CanItnI a
s9Hd bronze staircase VIII be c1nstr1irfe6 =,
Eve access TO the upper tier of rooms
mere VIII be two electric elevators in tho
wings running from the top story To -be
basement, and two small stairwsys sccae-
Sio.e from the main corridor between RI.
House and Senate, will give additional
mems or req ching the rooms IN the UIrps
The provision in the resolution o,+So
lZlhS the construction OF three stories III.
upper 10 be used for a reference library bas
hnt Deen carried out. as there was nncer
ta-nty whether this could be made feasible
IL decision Is reached hereafter To hniIi
the third story and use IL for rererenIa
lbrary, that work can be undertaken win
our disturbing the rooms already laid ont
Mr.. Woods, the assistant architect WIZ
as stated. has been the executive officer ~
the work and not only planned II, but has
given II daily overseeing. said TODAY thai
nc desired to recognize the faithful and et
Hclent services Of Capt Samuel Hunt and
OF MeSsrs. Peters and Gaskins in their re-
spective branches
W. AND there is another point" said Mr..
oCds; 1 want TO speak Of the quality NJ
the labor upon this job. have never seen
more capable and conscientious workmen
iHey nave given the work close attentinp
nave seemed to take an interest In it and I
Dor" ''h Id
Minor improvements
Many improvements OF a minor Character
nave been made about the Capitol during
the recess. The room of the Senate com.
mittee on foreign relations has been redso-
GRATED In elaborate manner and new mr.
nissings put In 10 match the decorations
Green and gold work are the color schemes
and the effect is striking. The room ~