The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-07
VAN SAINT WILL HIRE
New CAPITOL HELP
Commissions Would Have Him
Name Employees andAssume
Responsibility for Wages

The question of the operation of the
new state capitol was discussed at a
star chamber session of the capitol
commission, at which Gov. Van SAINT
was present, yesterday. The commits
sion was in session with the governor
for three hours, and the problems con-
fronting the commission with respect
to the operation of the new capitol
were thoroughly exploited.
Members of the commission took the
position that they had no authority to
engage elevator men, telephone opera
tors and the other employees necessary
to the occupancy of the new building,
but kindly consented to permit Gov.
Van SAINT, who is anxious to move into
the new building, to name the ap-
pOintees and take his chances of hav-
ing them confirmed or paid when the
legislature meets. The governors con-
tingent fund was also suggested as a
means of temporarily providing sal
aries.
The law under which the new .capi-
tol is being constructed makes no pro-
vision for the operation Of the building,
and the occupancy of the building be-
fore it is fully completed is only be-
cause the members of the legislature
and the state officers have indicated
that they will insist on its early occu-
pancy.
They Pass 1t Up to Van SAINT
The programme to be adopted by the
commission had been discussed pri-
yately among members of the commits
sion, but when Gov. Van SAINT appeared
before the commission yesterday and
asked when he and his fellow officials
Of the old state capitol were to be Civ
en- the right to occupy the new build
ing, the commissioners were seized
with the bright idea of passing
the question of employees and their SAL
aries on to the governor. If he was to
have the honor of taking immediate
possession of the capitol, they figured
that he was the proper person to as
sumo the responsibility connected with
its occupancy.
1.-THE legislature will hold its first
meeting in the new state capitol If the
members have to wade knee deep in
mortar and shavings, grimly declared
e. e. COrliss, the Fergus Falls member
of the capitol commission, when that
body adjourned it's meeting yesterday.
"That is one of Corliss' edicts,'' he
added, "and it will be enforced if we
have to hire every scrubwoman and
laborer in ST. Paul to clear the new
capitol Of the debris which has ac-
cumulated in the building"
The capitol commission was In ses-
sion nearly all day yesterday, and meet
again today to take up matters in con-
nection with the final completion of
the interior quarters for the state Off
GERS and the occupancy of the new
building. When the commission ad-
journs today it will adjourn to Dee. 27,
and this is taken to be the date when
practically all the state officers will
have moved to the new building.
Van SAINT Yearns for New Capitol
Members of the commission denied
that the governor had asked to be per-
mitted to move into the new building
before his term of Office expires, but
one member said that the develop
ments of the conference went to show
that the governor is extremely anxious
to take possession of the capitol be-
fore retiring from office. He was giy-
en- no positive assurances as to the
time when he might take possession Of
the new capitol, but the adjournment
to Dec. 81 is taken to mean that that
date has been selected for general
moving day.
1The governors rooms are farther
behind in the matter of interior finish
than those of any other state office" a
member of the commission said yester-
day. "This is due to a change in the
plan of Douglas Volk's picture repre-
senting Father Hennepin's treaty with
the Indians at the Falls of st. Anthony
which goes on the walls of the execu-
tive chamber.
A~design for furniture for the rooms
to be occupied by the State Art society
was submitted and was referred to
Architect Cass Gilbert for approval
Mr.. Gilbert did not attend the meeting
yesterday, being out of the city.
An application for furniture for the
room reserved under the law for the
use of members of the G. A. r. was
approved, and the commission ordered
three large flags and three smaller en-
signs for the capitol fagstaffs.