The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-08-05
CupOlO Will be Removed From
the Custom House soon.
1t Promises to Create Something of q
Stir-Other Improvement
News Here.
MINOR BUILDING

of the United States government is be-
ing seriously questioned in Paducah
just now because of the fact, not gen.
orally known, that the plans for the
custom house addition now under way
call for the tearing away of the famil-
lar oupolo of the present government
building.
For soma time the change has been
discussed about the government build
ing, and among those who have known
of 1t, and a great many people seem to
be almost indignant that what is gen
orally considered the only real orna-
ment on the custom house should be
removed, 1t was understood that for
mer Congressman Wheeler had the
new plans omit the cupola, and there
has been talk of getting up petition
asking the supervising architect at
Washington to order the cupola to re-
main.
In this case, however. as in others,
there are two sides. Former Congress
man Wheeler was this morning asked
II it were true that he had the cupo-
10 ordered or the custom house. He
said in substance
Eyes, I "a 1t was generally
agreed amor she architects in Wash
ington whenthe plans were under dis
eussion that the eupoiu was a disfig-
urement on the present government
building and' would be more so when
the addition is completed and there
would be two buildaegs, practically,
with little cupola sespg on top OF
F46e, making it on the lide of the
straoture. There can be no cupola on
the new building, because in its place
large sky light is provided for in the
plans.
Congressman Wheeler declared he
did not think there was any doubt that
the cupols would be unsightly when
the addition is complete, and said it
was matter of opinion as to whether
or not il Is one now. He thinks it is.
He is not an admirer of the cupola,
and would have favored its removal
even if the addition had not been Or
dered.
The cupola in question is about the
highest place in the city, and beauti-
full view of the surrounding country is
afforded from it. 1t used TO be very
popular with sightseers several years
ago, but in late years has been kept
closed, and no one ever enjoys the
view it affords.
As it stands at present the cupola is
pretty certain to come off.
A great deal of interest is manifest
ed in the proposed $685. 900 bond issue
for city improvements. With the
money contained in this issue it is
proposed to build more paved streets
and concrete sidewalks, erect new
city hospital ana market house and
purchase the railroad company pro-
perty on the river front to use for ad =
ditional wharfage. The first thing to
be done is to authorize vote on the
bond issue, and il the people in No
vember vote in favor of it the council
and aldermen then Issue the bonds.
The street committee of the general
council held meeting'last night and
decided that the grade for sidewalks
on Second street shall be the same as
that for the Broadway sidewalks,
shown in the new pavement in front
of Hotel Lagoon srsino, which has the
proper grade. All other pavements
will conform to that grade when they
are built. The property owners along
the street we're invited to attend the
committee meeting last night aud give
their views, but none of them showed
up.
In few days the steam heating
system in Paducah will be connected
with the mains, and by cool weather
the new plant will be in full operation
with many build ings connected up. A