The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-23
Structure Contemplated in
Bids Opened Today VIII
Compare in Magniflcence
With Government Build
ings.
Will Cost About $14,o0o,ooo,
and Include a State En-
trance, a Large Concourse,
and Other Notable Fea-
lures.

Two words apply with peculiar force
20 the new Union Station, for which
proposals were opened in Philadelphia
today. The first is immense" the sec
ond magnificent"
The width of the front will exceed
that of the Capitol; twenty-nine tracks
will lead into the station, and a tunnel
more than mile long will admit trains
under Washington: the base stones of
the two immense statues to be placed
in front are now being brought to
Washington by specially constructed
trucks. The entire cost of the new sta
-tion is estimated at s14.000.0Oo.
Materials for the construction will be
almost entirely of marble and granite.
and the Roman style of architecture
viii be followed. A superb state en-
trance will be provided for the Presi-
dent and distinguished guests OF the
city. The interior OF the building is to
be lighted by semi cylindrical dome
of colored glass, 100 feet high.
The Union Station will be the central
point for the Baltimore and Ohio. At
lantic Coast Line, Southern. Seaboard
Air Line, Chesapeake and Ohio. and
Pennsylvania systems Twenty-three
tracks are TO be on a level with the
station and three will go through the
tunnel. The tunnel will run from First
Street east. pass between the Capitol
and Library of Congress, and come out
at c and First Streets southeast
Many Institutions Included.
A striking feature in the construction
of the building will be that the floor of
its basement is to be nineteen feet and
that of the waiting room thirty-ive feet
above the level Of the ground.
Three arched doorways OF granite, so
feet high and A. feet wide. will occupy
the central portion of the front and
open into a vestibule 2S9 feet broad.
Beyond the vestibule is to be the main
waiting room. 21O feet wide by $50 feet
long. Floors and walls are to be lined
ir white, marble. The apartment will be
lighted by a 1O0-foot dome of glass and
decorated with marble statues of heroic
size. frescoes and giant palms.
The plans call for driveway, circling
about a parking, which will permit the
ticket Office and baggage room and pass
directly into the waiting room. Special
waiting rooms for the respective use OF
men and women will be installed, and
quick lunch" counter and handsome
dining room will also be provided. The
state entrance is TO occupy the whole of
the east end of the building. This will
consist of a suite OF rooms. including
reception and retiring rooms, for the
distinguished guest and a number of
smaller rooms for the use of his attend
ants Leading from these rooms to
the train IS 10 be a long passage bril-
liantly lighted. A driveway similar TO
that on the left side will lead to. the
state entrance
Back of the first floor of the main
building is to be the "concourse." q
covered space $50 feet wide and 135 feet
deep, which will form a shelter for pas
sengers as they form in line on their
way TO trains. All baggage will be han
died in a specially provided apartment
directly under the concourse. Express
wagons and drays will drive down an
incline and unload in the baggage room
Provision has been made for a barber
shop. a swimming pool IS by 81 feet
built OF marble. Turkish and shower
baths and - mortuary chamber with ac-
commodations for FIVE bodies.
A Notable Construction.
A sub-hasement has also been planned
for the handling of Southern baggage.
In this basement there is to be an emil
grants waiting-room 4Ox60 feet, baggage
storerooms. and rooms designated as
unassigned space" Six elevators, 15xs
feet. will pass from the sub basement to
the main waiting-room.
The second foor. through which the
shaft of the dome extends. will be rallied
off by massive marble balustades and
reached by marble staircase TO the left
Of the vestibule. On this floor will be
rooms for train dispatchers and ofices
for nen connected with the road
On the ;hird floor there Is to be
y II. {. A. room 20x60 feet. having a
gymnasium and library for the exclusive
use of employees Of the road who are
members OF the organization. A lunch |
room and kitchen for the accommoda- ]
ton OF train crews who stop over will /
also be located on this floor Sleeping /
rooms for these crews are 10 be fitted /
up in the attic OF the building.
The Union Station proper will occupy
25l 500 square feet. The space will be |
inclosed BY a line running from Massa-
chusetts Avenue. near North Capitol 4
Street. cutting C, II and Streets, pass
ing en- to Second and II Streets and cut
ting G and r Streets.
The cost OF the tunnel will be $3.50 per
linear foot, or a total OF about 81 900 600.
The District OF Columbia will defray
about 50 O0O. 900 OF the total cost Of the
station. the Pennsylvania Railroad about
s. 900. 900. and the Baltimore and Ohio
about S4,JO0.000. 1t is estimated about
three years will be consumed in build
ing the new station.
Washingtoniens regard the erection of
this building as an event In the progress
OF The Capital City. II will gather in
one s-ot and almost under one roof the
clamor and uglinsss OF the train yards
now divided between two stations and
give the visitor a favorable impression
o. Washington as he crosses its TIRES
hold.