Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-28
MARBLE OR GRANITE
QUESTION REGARDING MATERIAL
FOR NEW UNION STATION.
Commissioners Have Taken No Action
Senator McMillan's Report
April 3, 1902.

There has been considerable specula-
ton among citizens of Washington lately
with regard to what action, If any, the
District Commissioners have taken rela-
tive to the decision of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company to use white granite
in the construction of the new union sta
ton, instead of white marble. the
terial which it was generally understood
would be used in the building.
The Star is informed that no action has
as yet been taken by the District author
tiles regarding the matter. The Commits
sioners state that thus far the railroad
company has not submitted to them the
plans or specifications for the building
and that no official information has been
received by them as to what material the
company proposes to use in the conStruc-
ton of the new union station. Under the
existing circumstances the Commission
ers have no occasion to take up the mat
ter with the railroad company.
Several days ago special dispatch to
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company had
decided to use white granite in the new
building, and in another special from
Philadelphia yesterday 1T was stated that
the contract for the new station will
specify white granite as the face stone
instead of white marble. Since no denial
OF these statements by the railroad COM
pany has been noted the inference is
drawn that the information is correct, al
though the company has not commune
Gated that decision to the District au-
thorities
Before work on the terminal building
itself is begun the company is required
to submit the plans and specifications to
the Commissioners for approval. These
plans, it is expected. will be presented
within a short time; in fact, for the past
week or more they have been expected
the specifications for the building are
placed before the Commissioners they
will not have full knowledge of the pur-
pose of the railroad companies regarding
the construction of the station.
Senator McMillan's Understanding.
Since the passage of the terminal law the
impression has prevailed at the District
building that white marble would be the
material used in the union depot building.
although it Is stated there was never any
definite agreement between the railroad
companies and the local authorities regard
ing the kind of material to be employed.
However, in report to the Senate commit
tee on the District of Columbia on the bill
to provide for the union station 1t was Spe-
officially stated that white marble was to
be used in the construction of the depot.
This report is numbered 9S2 and bears date
of April 3, 1902. The paragraph relating to
the character of the building is follows:
The new station will be the finest of it's
kind in the world It's length will be 760
feet, which is feet 8 inches longer than
tlie tdpitol lStll II Will De Dullt or Wlnle
marble, with the interior of marble and
stone. The classical style of architecture
will be used, and the building will be so
located and designed that while distinctly
subordinate to the Capitol it will take rank
among the great public structures in Wash
ingtun. The minimum cost of the station
has been placed at $4,06o.o00. but the total
cost will be nearer $JG0o000.''
The Congressional View.
From this it seems that there was a dis
tnct understanding among members of
Congress that the station was to be built
of white marble.
1t is believed that if the plans, when they
are filed with the Commissioners. specify
the use of white granite as the face stone,
instead OF white marble, the Commission
crs Will enQeaVor to induce the railroad
companies to change their decision,
y full consideration of the official plans
is regarded as necessary before the Com
missiouers will feel justified in raising any
objections as to the material to he used or
the style Of the new terminal building. and
until the plans have been presented they
do not deem it wise to publicly discuss the
subject.