New-York tribune., 1901-01-13

powerful steam pumps Two of the dynamos have
a combined capacity OF 5000 incandescent lights,
and two Of equal range being installed.
II would cost the ordinary electric light company
$500 10 secure one Of these monster machines,
and the OF installation would be additional.
When the engines ready this electrical
combination will be capable Of generating $500
arnperes. The ordinary sixteen candle power in
candescent light is the equivalent of half
pere.
It is calculated by c. P. Gliem superintendent
OF lighting OF Capitol that the plant will light
1000 incandescent lamps when worked TO its full
capacity. There 80 lights distributed
about the building and grounds, which are also
supplied by it. This information. given a few days
ago the committee that is to supervise the IL
Elimination of the Capitol and other public build
ings in inaugural week. brought out the inter-
estng fact that this outfit Of electrical machinery.
which serves single building has nearly half
the power for incandescent service Of the United
States Electric Lighting Company. which has
monopoly in its line in the District Of Columbia.
This company can supply 1900 amperes, or $1,000
incandescent lights
This comparison may lead the reader 10 ask why
the Capitol should require such extensive ond cost
ly means OF light and power. Well, it's a big
building, begin with Its counterpart cannot be
found on this continent 1t of 153 112
square feet. II has more rooms and corridors and
underground and attic chambers than any man
connected with II can count Only the other day
a room was discovered that had not been opened
since 1855. Its existence had been forgotten by all
save an ancient darky who has been employed in
the building for the last fifty years. He recalled
the fact that II had been used a hospital for
Union soldiers dilapidated blue uniform coat
hanging on the wall mute evidence of the
former occupancy Of the apartment.
Thousands Of lights are kept burning all day
in and corridors of the Capitol that are in
constant use. The lower rooms would be un-
tenable without artificial light. Few rooms Of
tration purposes have sufficient natural light Even
in the press galleries lights burning most Of
Electric lights were first introduced in the Capt.
10 Soa hS h I'm , ,iIt d 4be Sa1i4ol e
gloomy and filled with bad doors. An exhibition
plant was Installed in the basement of the Senate
wing in 1886 with the understanding that II should
be operated without cost TO the Government. After
year OF two the Senate agreed to pay an annual
rental. the plant TO be used only when the body
was in session Soon afterward the House au-
thor1zed the installation Of engines and dynamos
for its own use. The first machinery was unsatis-
contracting companies made necessary alterations
and the growth OF the electrical system in the
In 1895 the Government installed four A-inch
compound @ engines and four 75-kiiowatt generators
thousand light machine was added 20 the Senate
Ing either chamber before that year remember the
cracking sound that announced the lighting of the
gas in the attcs directly above the ceilings This
was caused by the electric lighters that had been
employed for many years. and were considered
galleries could trace the spark as 1t ran along the
AuIoreos OF gas Jets This system gradually gave
way TO entirely electric. In 1898 three thou
ssno hight machine was erected in the House side
OF the Capitol. Two more being installed,
one each side
The now dynamos are Of what is known the
orect connected engine type. The shaft Of the
armature and engine Is in piece obviating the
use of the flexible coupling and shortening the
machine four feet. While the machinery Of the
TWO houses Of Congress is placed $50 feet apart, IL
Is connected by switchboards and can be operated
as a unit.
Besides supplying lights the engines are employed
10 rin electric elevators and the ventilating
apparatus Of the Senate, and also to supply the
current for the graphophones used by the official
reporters Of the Senate and House. Since the
perimental days there has not been recorded sin
gle breakdown Of the machinery The system
under which IL is operated is faultless The
growth OF the service has kept pace with the de-
mand for power and undoubtedly II will be in
creased from year 10 year.
One who would undertake to estimate the mile
age OF the electric wires In the Capitol would face
a big problem In 1893 there 10000 feet Of
wire strung Twice much was installed in 1900.
* Superintendent Glems plan for illunin sting the
Capitol for inaugural week is adopted the extra
lamps and wiring required will cost $500. The
entire structure will be outlined by incandescent
globes. that IL will be visible at night many
miles away. The effect cannot fail TO be extremely
beautiful