Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-23
CAPITOL ADORNMENT
THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE
HANDSOMELY IMPROVED.
Artists Giving Finishing Touches to
the Decorations-Prettie
Interior in Its History.

A feature of the Grand Army encamp-
ment which will without doubt appeal In a
peculiar way to the venerable veteran will
be the Capitol building. With this fact In
mind the greatest energy has been exhibited
in renovating and decorating the halls and
corridors of this historic structure. The
finishing touches are being given. and when
the building is thrown open, as 1t Will be
in the most hospitable manner possible for
the encampment, it will present the hand
soonest interior appearance in its history
Besides being open during the regular
hours in the day, Superintendent Elliott
Woods has arranged to have the building,
including both the Senate chamber ana the
hall Of. the House, open at least three even
fngs, during the encampment. Although the
dates have not been definitely decided on,
they will doubtless be the 9th, 9Th and TIN
of October. Each evening all OF the thou
sands of electric lights in the building Will
be lighted, and the scene in the legislative
halls will be made as nearly as possible like
an actual evening session OF Congress.
Since Congress adjourned an appropria-
ton of $4,000 has been expended in the
decoration of Statuary Hall. This hail was
supplied last winter with an iron roof. The
ceiling was replaced with plaster casts in
relief. and since March fifty artists have
been at work decorating this lew ceiling,
as well as the brown stone interior walls Of
this historic hall. The lumber-20.o10 feet
used in the scaffolding for the artists was
removed yesterday. With the removal Of
the lumber the revelation was most mag
nifcent.
Metamorphosis Effected.
The brown stone walls that were are now
huge blocks of Sienna marble, rich in color
and veined in varying hues of dark red.
The recess panels in the ceiling are done in
uybi iS iphf cd in Of
fective way through the new and hand
some lantern skylight. The hall has been
transformed from a place of dingy reflec-
lions to one of cheerful brightness. It's
strong and beautiful architectural features
stand out as never before, and to the senti-
mel line Of marble statesmen which circle
its walls Is added new attractions by the
more appropriate surroundings.
The hall is Illuminated in the evening by
the glimmer of 800 concealed electric lights
placed in the cornice SO as to light the gild-
ed ceiling and reflect from that to the floor
below. huge chandelier is to be suspend
ed below the lantern containing fifty more
electric lights. This is intended to be the
last artistic touch.
The work Of decorating the hall has been
done under the personal supervision Of the
venerable Joseph Rakemann, who, forty
years ago, was himself chief artist under
the famous Brumidi, whose original work
in the Capitol extensions is still marvel
to the artistic world. Mr.. Rakemann, as
stated has had a force of fifty artists at
work in the decoration of the hall, in order
that 1t might be in readiness for the inspec
ton Of the old soldiers during the encamp
ment week.
Work on Committee Rooms.
Other work in the building is being rushed
to completion. 1t is the intention of the
superintendent to have the committee room
doors in the House end of the building re-
placed with mahogany doors before October
1. The corridors of this end of the building
are being gilded and decorated by the
artists who have just finished the hall. The
rooms of the ways and means committee,
directly through the hall from the magnifi-
cent appropriations committee rooms, are to
the rooms last mentioned. The damask
have been replaced with new ones Of per-
manent character. In the House galleries
the upholstery of the chairs has been
done in pigskin. natural color, to harmonic
the lower walls with the ceiling.
Little work of a decorative character has
been necessary in the Senate wing of the
building, and the Supreme Court chamber
was finished completely this spring, after
the reroofing, which was done in iron. With
the touches that have been given the in
terror, and the cleaning and care given to
the exterior, the veterans will find the
Capitol in perfect artistic and architectural
excellence.