St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Especial Correspondence

lOPSSAetA WI CO EOIluGliCG.I
Since congress adjourned an appro-
priation of $4,000 has been expended
in the decoration of Statuary hall. This
hall 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 new ceiling as Well as
the brownstone interior walls of this
historic hall. The lumber-20,00 feet
used in the scaffolding for the artists
was removed the other day. With the
removal of the lumber the revelation
was most magnificent.
The broWnstone 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 pure gold, which
is lighted in the most effective way
through the new and handsome "lan-
tern" skylight. The hall has been
transformed from place of dingy re-
Elections to one of cheerful brightness.
It's strong and beautiful architectural
features stand out as never before, and
to the sentinel line of marble states
men which circles its walls are added
new attractions by the more appro.
pirate surroundings.
The hall is Illuminated in the evening
by the glimmer of 300 concealed cleo
trio lights placed in the cornice so as
to light the gilded ceiling and reflect
from that to the floor below. A huge
chandelier is to be suspended below
the lantern containing fifty more cleo
trio lights. This is intended to be the
last artistic touch.
Uncle Sans Big Printery.
The new government printing office
now nearing completion, although it
has seven acres of floor space, will be
only large enough for the current work
of the government and does not make
any substantial allowance for future
growth. Yet the structure is so large
that it has consumed in it's erection
100000 pounds of steel, one-seventh
as much cast iron and $4,000 barrels Of
portland cement. The doors have been
made of an asbestus composition, the
door and window frames Of iron, and
the whole structure is as near fireproof
as it was possible to make it. The cost
when it is completed will be about
$2400,000.
The first public printer was appoint
ed under law passed in 1852. His
salary was only $500, and the Office
had been in operation ten years before
its employees numbered 800, Today
more than 1000 persons draw salaries
at the government printing office, and
at the present rate of increase it is fair
to assume that 10000 will be employed
by 1912. The bookbindery alone en-
ploys 800 persons. There are 1900
compositors.
Big Year For Patents.
The annual report of the commission
er of patents has been completed and is
at present in the hands of the printer.
The past year has been one of unusual
activity among the inventors, the re-
port showing that during the period
between June 80 1901, and June 80,
1902 1852 applications were received
for mechanical patents, 1907 applica-
tons for designs, 139 applications for
reissues, 1,849 caveats, 2460 applica-
lions for trademarks, 1920 applications
for labels and 270 applications for
prints. Of these applications for pat
ents 27,3S7 were granted, covering de-
signs and reissues, and 1853 prints, $50
labels ana 1864 trademarks We're reg
istered.
Cleaning Up For Company.
The British embassy is to be renovat-
ed and modernized as to it's interior.
1t needs this work very badly. While
one of the most imposing residences in
Connecticut avenue it is one Of the
stufIiest.
1t is understood that Hon. Michael
Henry Herbert, the new ambassador,
will come to this country long enough
to present his credentials and then will
return to England for a short time
while the embassy is in the hands of
the artisans. 1t is expected that the
embassy during the coming winter will
be one of the most brilliant places in
Washington official life, as Mrs. Her.
bert's relatives in New York, the Van
derbilts, the Wilson's and the rest, will
be here during the season, and there
will be much entertaining.
Governments First Flower Show.
An exhibition of chrysanthemums is
to be held in November at the depart
ment Of agriculture. This will be the
finest display Of these flowers ever
made in America. Some idea of the
Yg.09Sx0 With the new iron