Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-25
NEW UNION STATION
Washington Terminal Com
pauy Obtains a Permit.
SQUARES OCCUPIED
REPORT ON PLANS BY BUILDING
INSPECTOR ASHFORD.
Statement by Pierce Anderson, Super
intendent of Construction, Regard
ing the Proposed Material.

The building permit for the construction
of the new union railroad station In WASH
ington was issued by the building inspector
for the District today. The permit was
granted to the Washington Terminal Com
pany upon the request of Mr.. Pierce An
dersoD of the firm CT D. II. BUrnham and
Company, who is to have actual supervis-
ion of the work. The permit specifies that
the station is to be erected at the intersec-
ton of Delaware and Massachusetts ave
nues northeast, on squares 676 to 6I9 and
III to I21 The material to be used will
be stone, iron and cement and the estl-
mated cost of the building is stated at
So, OOOOJO. Mr.. Anderson states that work
will begin at once on the project
Mr. Snowuen Ashford, the building in
spector for the District, has just finished
his examination of the plans and specifica-
tons for the new terminal structure. and
late this afternoon he submitted a favor
able report on the plans to Col. Blddie, the
Engineer Commissioner. In speaking 10
reporter for The Star of the drawings for
the new railroad building Mr.. Asnio1a
stated that he has never before examined
set of drawings for any large building
project in which all the details of the con-
structon have been more carefully worked
out than is the case with the plans loI tifo
new union station.
Not only as regards the technical points
of construction, but also with regard TO
provisions for the safety of the building, the
protection and convenience of the pubic,
Mr. Ashford saws the specifications have
covered every necessary point and made all
necessary provisions.
Weight Per Square Foot.
For instance Mr.. Ashford states that I'M
der the foundations he found that in the
heaviest PIERS those supporting the i'm
mense arches of the entrance, the archl-
tects have so arranged the construction
that there is weight of only approximate
ly three tons per square foot. The weight
on the foundations of the Congress onal
Library. it is stated is about four tons per
square foot In some instances, according
to the plans. the foundations Will be as
much forty feet below ground These
| foundations said Mr.. Ashford extend
below the level of the tunnel tracks and the
| weight on the earth of the foundation is not
above the average for buildings of this char
acter. but the size and dimensions OF foot
ings are subject to revision to suit the char
acter of the SOIL resort being had to piles
or grillage If found necessary after excava-
ton has been made. The unusual size of
this building renders necessary IN some
cases the use of concrete eight feet thick.
THE walls of the building will be of
ample thickness exclusive of the stone or
fla crgs and are laid UP in hard brick in
cement mortar throughout. The structural
street, including the columns beams and
trusses, show ample strength with regard
to the factor of safety. All steel work, ex-
cept where bedded in concrete is protected
from corrosion by red or white lead in
combination with other materials to repel
moisture.
The Exits and Lobbies.
AN especially commendable feature
about the new terminal building is that
the exits and Hobbies are carefully planned
with a view to affording easy egress in
case of unusually large crowds. The pro-
portion of door space to floor space is
about one foot for every los feet of public
space. Careful attention has been paid to
provisions for protecting persons In the
large waiting room from possible injury
fl ON falling glass from the immense sky
lights The large domed skylights more
than 100 feet above the floor, are adequate
" protected by wire glass or copper mesh.
1.-The boilers and power plant are removed
to a point more than a thousand feet from
any public lobby or waiting room, and in
case of boiler explosion there would be
no danger to the main structure. The steam
pipes pneumatic pipes, refrigerator pipes,
ventilation pipes and electric wires are car
ried from the power house to the station
building proper in a capacious subway,
eighteen shafts are provided for ventilation
from the tunnel entering the building and
these shafts are provided with electrical
machinery for extracting any smoke or
gases that might accumulate in the tunnel.
Mr. Ashford also stated that arrange
ments have been made with the inspector of
plumbing for notifications neceSs ary to pro-
vide for the roof drainige from the immense
area of about 100000 square feet, including
the train shed. All interior columns, archi-
traves and arches are covered and protect
ed by terra-cotta. except in the baggage
room. where they are. covered by concrete
and boiler iron. The floor arches are form
ed by terra Gotta blocks and the floor sur
face in general of tile. The plans, he says.
contemplate a building of the first class of
fireproof construction and to meet All the
provisions fer safety required by the build
ing regulations.
In addition to the arrangements in the
building, II is stated that there VIII be
1900 feet of platform space about the
structure under cover, and that there will
be 25.oOD feet of trackage under cover.
Use of Granite Contemplated.
Mr.. Pierce Anderson. the architect in
charge of the construction, stated to a re-
! porter for The Star today that the railroad
companies have received reports from the
experts sent to examine into the conditions
of the quarry at Bethel, VT, from which it
is proposed to obtain the granite for the
alton building. The quarry, he states,
comprises area of $40 acres, and 1t IL
estimat ted that there will be sufficient stone
in one acre TO build the union station. Five
acres of the entire $40 have been developed,
and the quarry has been opened up in
twelve different places and from the re-
suits obtained from the examination it Is
estima ted that % per cent of the stone In
the go acres is of an uniform white color.
In one pocket in the quarry granite of
saffron color has been found. and in another
spot gray granite has been discovered.
The quarry, 1t Is stated. is located on a
| hillside sloping about 100 feet to the general
| surface level. The stone therefore will be
| taken out by means of gravity and will not
| have to be hoisted The owners of the
| quarry, Mr.. Anderson states. now have on
| the way to the works number of addition
| al derricks and other appliances to be used
| for getting out the stone for the union sta
| ton. He says that there is not quarry in
the country sufficiently equipped at the
| present time TO get out stone in sufficient
| quantities for the station within the time
| limit. The owners OF the Bethel quarry are
| also having their cutting sheds extended
| and there will be good facilities for cutting
| the stone properly. Between 800 and 800
cutters will be employed on the job for the
| new union station.
Inspection of Quarries.
| Commissioner Riddle stated today that