The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-09-14
10 Alabama Street.
UNCLE SAM AS A PRINTER.
Largest Once Of the Kind Nearly
Ready In Washington.


Washington Special to Brooklyn Eagle.
The largest printing Office in the world,
with the greatest capacity for putting
out printed matter of all kinds of any
establishment on the globe Is receiving
the finishing touches at North Capitol
and G Streets, in this city. just few
blocks north of the Capitol. When the
last of the carpenters, painters and
plumbers retire. the stars and Stripes
will be run to the peak Of the flag pole.
for this monster building has been put UP
for the sole occupancy of Uncle Sam.
For more than three years now lsborers
have been engaged In the task OF pro-
viding new home for the governments
publishing house, ground having been
broken on the new site in July, 1889. The
work has been watched with much in
terest by Senators and Representatives
as they arrived each day at the Capitol.
frames of the new structure. looking for
all the world like a monster bird cage
could easily be seen. Before Congress
meets again the presses will be nerrtiy
printer counting on vacating the old
quarters in December. The army of
competitors, stereotypers, binders and
others under Public Printer Palmer will
heave a sigh Of relief as they remove
their belongings from the old fire trap
which has been their workshop for the
past fifty years and more. The fear OF
some terrible holocaust In the Govern
minds OF the officials for years. for ev-
cry available foot within it's four walls
is crowded to the utmost with workmen
and supplies. The foundations actually
shake under the heavy burdens they bear
when the presses are running.
Foremost among the many improve
ments introduced in the new printing
house is the fireproof feature. The
loads, and the brick and steel walls are
two feet seven inches thick throughout
the entire height. The structure. which
is 40S feet in length, on the G Street side.
and l75 feet and inches on the North
Capitol front. is seven stories high. be-
side cellar and loft. the latter portions
to be used as air spaces in connection
with the modern system OF ventilation
that has been adopted. Four hundred
thousand feet of floor space are provided,
and this is divided UP in such manner
as to furnish the best facilities for the
prompt dispatch of government work.
Statistics relating 70 the amount of ma
terials used In the structure are interest
ing. Twelve million brick have gone into
the building. as well as $4,000 900 pounds
of steel 100000 pounds of cast iron and
45 900 barrels of cement. OF the 12,004lO0
bricks. one-fourth are faced and one
building Is covered by tile, laid in as
phalt and as no plaster Is used anywhere
It will he exceedingly difficult for fire to
get a start Fifteen elevators will an
SW pr all reQulTcHheHlS, DotH lot paSSeH-
ger and freight service. Instead of wa
ter coolers. a refrigeratinR plant will be
Installed and the fluid. after being filt-
cred. will be run through pipes to drink
ing fountains In generous numbers
throughout the building.
The amount appropriated for the build
Ing was 2429 600, hut Captain Sewell. the
ARMY Engineer officer in charge of the
construction hopes to turn back s2s 600
of this, making the total cost $2.400 000.
Already installed in the building in a
very handsome engine room are the en-