The Washington times., 1901-09-16
At WORK IN THE ROTUNDA
Making Final Arrangements TO Re-
ceiye the Presidents Body.

Planning for the Thousands Expect.
ed to Look UFon the Face of the
Dead Chief Magistrate - Tomor.
rows Ceremonies Being Arranged
All prepared tonight will be the Ro-
tunda of the Capitol, where the body OF
President Mckinley is 10 lie in state to-
morrow and where funeral services will
take place tomorrow. The historic
catafalque which will support the casket
was yesterday taken from the crypt to
the main floor of the great building,
which is now in chaos incident TO the ex-
tensive general repairs which have been
in progress there during the summer.
Col. I1niel NJ. Ransdell, Sergeant-at-
Arms of the United States Senate, con-
ferred yesterday with Elliot Wood, AS
sistant Architect of the Capitol. and plans
were made for the work to be done to-
day Arrangements for handling the
huge crowds viii be determined upon to-
day at 10 O'Clock in a meeting at Colonel
.Ransdells office between Gen. Wal
lace Randolph. who has charge of the
exercises at the Capitol, Major Sylvester
of the Metropolitan Police Department,
and Colonel Ransdell.
Surmounting the casket containing the
body there will be a canopy of black. The
only mourning displayed besides that on
the bier will be the hangings on the
statutes of Hamilton, jefferson, Grant
and others in the rotunda. The cata-
falque will rest upon a PLATFORM the top
of which will be about eight inches from
the floor. 1t will be about twelve feet
long and ten wide When the catafalque
is placed upon this platform there will be
several feet of platform on each side. At
the end there will be gradual decline to
the floor. From the four corners of the
platform will rise pillars supporting the
ceiling Of the canopy. The pillars will
be draped in mourning hangings and the
ceilingrof the canopy. about nine ten
feet from the floor, will be covered with
the same material. with a heavy ornate
edge pendent from all sides. The cata-
falque is to be draped anew. Its surface
is somewhat wider than tNe surface of the
casket. thus there be slight pro-
jecting ledge. The drapery on the cata-
falque Will fail straight to the platform.
Mr.. Wood is making plans to place a
number OF incandescent lamps in the
canopy, in such manner that they will
be concealed from view. but will throw a
light upon the casket below
Colonel Ransdell stated last night that
when the body of ex-President Harrison
lay in state at the Capitol in Indianapolis
ii took fifty thousand people in two lines,
handled in excellent manner, twelve hours
to pass the casket There will doubtless
be nearly twice that number seeking ad-
mission to the Capitol on Tuesday No
orders have, as yet. it is understood. been
issued regarding this point. Mr.. Wood is
merely providing for the possible con-
tingency.
The crowds will gather on the east front
inasmuch as admittance is to be had only
at the cast door. The present intention is
to have the people enter in two lines,
which will pass on either side of the cas-
ket, walking for that purpose on the plat
form supporting the catafaique. and then
continuing across the Rotunda, through
the west doors of the building and down
the great west steps
Colon1 Ransdell has had large expe-
rience in the dispos. .tion of vast crowds
The handling of the multitudes at the
inauguration ceremonies is evidence
of his ability in this direction. With Cen
eral Randolph and Major Sylvester he
will today give close attention to every
minute detail which may expedite the
passing Of the crowds through the build
ing. Within the Rotunda no crowding
will be permitted. Divergence from the
line win be prevented by Capitol police.
assisted if necessary by members of the
Metropolitan Police Department
On the east steps of the Capitol ropes
VIII be stretched to some point where the
crowd viii be formed in single files and
passed to the doors of the Capitol. Pos
sibly Gordon OF police viii extend from
the doors down the steps. The line VIII
be kept moving rapidly. While passing
the casket, once the interior is reached,
a slow pace will be permitted, but in the
interest of thousands who desire to look
for the last time upon the body every ad-
vantage viii be taken of opportunities TO
save time.
During the services at the Capitol there
will be seats for 200 persons in the Ro-
tunda. They will be ranged in circles Of
which the centre will be the bier. The
chairs are what is known as the caucus"
chair. small and OF light but strong con-
struction, with cane seats. About half of
the requisite number are already at the
Capitol They viii be placed in the Ro-
tunda early Tuesday morning and every
thing viii be in readiness for the service.
The assignment Of seats will be in charge
of General Randolph. The members of
the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives who viii attend the funeral will as
semble in their respective sides of the
Capitol and at the proper time. headed by
their presiding or senior officers, will
march to the seats reserved for them.
Those from the Senate will be led by Sen
ator Frye. President pro TEN. of the upper
house. and will be conducted TO their
seats by Colonel Ransdell. Sergeant-at-
Arms.