The Washington times., 1903-11-15
A GREATER CAPITOL.
Congress Expected to Authorize an Appropriation of
Two and Half Million Dollars for improvements.

present the central flight of marble
steps on the east front leading to the
portico of the Rotunda is indented fully
twenty feet within the line of the two
marble wings, whereas when the extern
sion Is made the central portion will
project fully fifteen feet beyond the
wings This VIII give the whole build
ing an appearance of greater depth and
compactness; will provide a larger,
broader. and consequently more impos-
ing base for the massive dome; and
finally viii do away with the present
suggestion of a rambling appearance in
the building and the suspicion of the
undue size of the dome Another point
in favor Of the scheme for greater
Capitol" is found in the fact that it will
give opportunity for much-dt sired
uniformity of construction throughout
the entire noble edifice. 1t has been for
years past a matter OF regret that the
material comprising the older portion
Of the building was not marble, but
scaIy sandstone. which has required
constant repairing in order to preserve
its appearance. An opportunity will now
be afforded to displace or cover over
this unsatisfactory material. The fac
ings OF the extensions on both the east
and west sides of the building win be
of marble. conforming to the white
marble OF the Senate and House wings,
and thus the Capitol will be. in very
truth. as well as in appearance. a mar
bic structure.
The completion of this extension of
/ the Capitol and the erection of the new
81 900 marble Office building as an an
mex for the big structure will render
the nations lawmakers better off for
room than they have ever been before
At present every Senator, whether
chairman of a committee or not, has a
private Office. but in the lower house
of Congress only the chairmen of COM
mittees have such facilities, and even
then some of the Offices are so badly
located and so poorly lishted that their
pOssessors would almost as soon be
without the accommodations The new
Office building viii, however, prG.dde a
separate Office for every one OF the up
ward of four hundred members of the
House. and the enlargement of the Capt.
tol will make available still further
space. The extension of the central
portion of the building will provide a
total of sixty-six rooms-thirty-three
! anarfunenfs for the .,Sa Of III cer,ate
and like number for the House More
over the rooms will be large, approx
mating p by 30 to 81 feet in size.
Much has been said of late years re-
garding the luxuries with which Con-
gressmen now indulge themselves. but
it is likely that past performances in
this Inc will pale in comparison with
the lavish expenditures OF the future
An underground electric railway will
convey members from the new Office
building to the Capitol. and the appoint
ments of the new structure will be quite
in keeping with those of the main build
ing. Many added luxuries made their
appearance during the recent recess
The new bathrooms. for instance, are
marvels in the perfection Of their ap-
pointments. as may be imagined from
the fact that $4,000 was required to de
fray last summers plumbing bill al the
Capitol Members will henceforth have
their shoes shined on bootbiack stand.
that cost $50 each. and other new ap.
pointments are in keeping.