The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1903-05-14
A Mammoth Plant.

Printers and publishers are interested
IN fairs relating to their craft and the
people generally may not be averse to
rad something about Uncle Sans big
p hitting office now receiving its finishing
touch nav ashington. For the purpose
of lmparting information relative to this
immense plant, we clip from Washing
ton paper as follows.
The building in which will be quartered
the greatest printing office that has ever ex
isted is now practically completed and in a
few months will be occupied. It is located
on the northwest corner of North Capitol and
G streets on a site comprising about an acre
and two. thirds adjacent to the old govern
ment printing Office building.
The construction of the government print
ing office building was authorized March :,
1899, at which time the engineer department
had only tentative drawings Of the proposed
structure Ground was broken for the new
building July "a, 1899, and from that time
forward the work progrt ssed without any
delay except those short periods caused by
the impossibility to secure material as rapidly
as it could be put in place.
The greatest sodity Of construction was
rendered necessary from the fact that great
deal of heavy machinery is 10 be placed in
the building and extremely heavy weights Of
metal and paper were to be provided for.
The old fear OF fire which has on many occa
sions created CONSERVATION when the old
printing office building was considered has no
possible place in the mind of the most mag
native in relation to the new building. 1t rs
freproof to the utmost extent, the steel work
being protected so that in case Of heat being
generated by the burning of any material that
might be placed in the building it could not
affect the strength of the structure by the
varying Of the metal. In every other way
neither time nor money has been spared to
make the structure one Of those that can be
said to have been erected for "all time
There are two features of the building that
have been criticised, though these criticisms
do not reflect on any one in an uncompli
mentary way. The discussion concerning the
architectural development Of the city, which
has been carried on during the past several
years, and which has resulted in a policy for
the erection of buildings of medium height
and of light colored effects, had not crystal.
lized into general sentiment when the new
government printing office was designed. A
large amount of space was needed. While
the area of the site was about one and two
thirds acres as much as nine acres of floor
space was to be provided and the only way 1t
could be done was to 60 up in the air, and
the heavens were in that way invaded to the
extent necessary for seven high stories. A
dark red brick was used for the exterior walls,
though on the interior glazed bricks were
utilized to add as much as possible to the
light effect within and to provide clean sur
face. If the building were designed today
with an opportunity to secure more ground
as a site, it is likely that the structure would
be a couple of stories lower and that the ex.
terror would be of some light stone or brick.
To construct the building, ten millions of
brick were required, together with about
twelve millions of pounds of steel. The
floors are supported by the steel frames, the
outer walls answering but little purpose ex-
cept to inclose the structure. The average
height OF the building above the sidewalk is
1873 feet.
In the structure there are $40 steel col.
umns, which enable the floors to stand a load
Of $4,000, 900 pounds, which is largely in
excess of any weight it will ever be required
to place upon it. Ventilation is provided by
means of electric fans, and for the quick
movement of the large corps Of workmen and
for the transfer OF material there are twelve
electric elevators. For the illumination of
the building at night there will be 1000 in
candescent electric lights. a complete system
of telephones will be installed, SO that every
portion of the building will have facilities for
quick communication. In order to provide
for this immense network Of wires for light
ing and telephoning without any unsghtly
effect false ceilings have been provided
he b,,il -,
wires will be run.
The building is heated by steam, about
10000 pounds OF steel pipe being used for
that purpose. The steam radiators have been
placed in recesses under the window slls in
order that they may not be in the way.
Under the system Of ventilation fresh air will
enter under the window stills. Foul air will
be carried from each floor through sticks run
ming up the middle OF all the big rooms.
An ice plant has been installed to furnish
drinking water, all of which will be filtered.
a crematory has been provided for dispos
ing of refuse and for heating the vast quand-
ties Of water that will be needed for binding
and for other operations
About July the printing office force will
he moved into tins new building. The in
teresting question that will then arise will
relate to the action Of Congress in relation to
the old building. Many senators and rep.
resentatives will favor an additional alpropr-
alton for replacing the old building with
new one that will he uniform with the
structure now completed. Whether or not
this will be done VII depend largely upon
the spirit of lberahty or economy, that will
prevail at the Capitol 1t is believed that all
the ground now occupied by the old building
could be advantageousy used for a new one
that would he hfepI1of and a safe place in
which to store valuable material and docu
ments