Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-19
MATERIAL TO BE USED
UNION STATION TO BE BUILT OF
"WHITE GRANITE"
Announcement Occasions Surprise, as
Be Constructed of White Marble.

| The announcement from Philadelphia
to the effect that the Pennsylvania rail-
road has decided to build the union sta
| ton in this city of white granite" in
! stead of white marble" coupled with
the statement that one of the reasons for
this change of plan was the necessity for
| having a stone that would not require
| cleaning because of being disc0lored by
smoke, has created a great deal Of sur
| prise among people who are familiar
| with the understanding that was had in
| Congress at the time this legislation was
| enacted.
| 1t is recalled by these people that dur
| ing the time the union station bill was
| under consideration in Congress it was
constantly stated that the agreement
| with the railroad companies provided for
| the use of white marble for the station,
and the fact that that stone would prove
very costly was urged as one of the rea-
sons why Congress should deal Literally
with the railroads in determining the
division of cost between the companies,
the general government and the District
of Columbia. 1t is now announced that
the substitution of white granite" for
marble will result in a saving of 100000.
and that saving is given as one of the
| reasons for the change of plans. 1t Is
well known that white granite Is not
white at all
The use of white marble was in the first
instance recommended by the park commas
sion at the head of which was Mr.. Burn
ham, also the architect for the Pennsylva-
mia Railroad Company In the bill author
izing the changes in route and providing
for the division of cost for the building OF
the union station it was stipulated that the
station should be monumental in character
and cost not less than S4,OOO,COO.
Park Commissions Recommendation.
The park commission had recommended
that in the construction of all public build
ings in this city in the future white marble
should be used. and the location Of the
union station. SO close to the Capitol, was
an additional reason urged for the use of
the same building material in order that the
effect of the structure should be in keeping
with the appearance Of public buildings:
1t well understood that white
marble would be used in the construction
Of the station. and Mr.. Burnham. as chair
man of the park commission and architect
for the Pennsylvania railroad, who de-
signed the union station, was known to be
so thoroughly in favor of the use of white
marble that the question of placing the re
striction for the use of that material in
the bill was not discussed. The late Sen
ator Mcmillan never contemplated, it is be-
lieved, the use of any stone for that pur-
pose except white marble
There has also been a general under
standing about the Capitol on both the
House and the Senate side that in the
course of a reasonable time the railroad
companies would at least greatly decrease
the smoke nuisance in this city, If not
effectually do away with it, either by the
use of hard coal or some mechanical ap-
plance.
Interpretation of Announcement.
The announcement from Philadelphia to
the effect that the companies contemplate
the use of soft coal in their engines in this
city and that consequently white marble
in the union station would have to be
cleaned every five years is regarded as
meaning that they have no expectation OF
lessening the smoke nuisance in the future.
AS the engines approach the station from
the south through tunnel and from the
north a train shed will remove smoke from
the entrance to the station for long Gts-
lance. it is not clearly understood here just
how the front of the station could be IN
juTed by smoke. The belief prevails that
the only influential reason for the change
of building ma terial is the fact that it will
save 100000 for the company. and to that
extent be in harmony with the policy of re-
trenchment in the matter of improvements
that has been announced in relation 70
contemplated improvements of the road
generally.
Material to Be Used.
The Commissioners of the District of Co
lumbia have never had a definite under
standing with the railroad companies s to
the material to he used in the construction
of the union station. The impression that
has prevailed at the District building since
the passage of the terminal law, however,
has been that white marble would be used.
This impression was the result of the in
formal conferences with Mr. d. II. Burn
ham the architect of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company. although, as stated.
there was never definite agreement be-
tween the railroads and the local author
tiles. The Commissioners placed thorough
confidence in the good taste and judgment
of Mr.. Burnham. They still believe that
Mr.. Burnham will that the station is
all that it intended it should be-
Being a member of the Senate parking
commission, and having 3 deep interest in
the beautifca ton of the national capital,
the Commissioners feel Mr. BurnhaTn will
agree to changes in design material
that will materially affect the appearance
of the magnificent new structure If white
granite is used, the Commissioners feel
that the grade OF the stone and the quality
of workmanship put upon ii will be such as
to nearly equal the marble.
So far the Commissioners have had but
little occasion to consider the union sta
ton building proper. Their time has been
taken up with the consideration of the
terminal plans, including the detailed maps
of the various new tracks the tunnels, the
viaduct to the northeast and forth No
separate application for the construction
of the station building has been made
yet, and until the application and accom-
panying plans are filed the Commissioners
will not have full knowledge OF the purpose