The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-02

In spite OF the smoke law. which Is sup
posed 10 apply largely 20 the use OF soIL
coal in the District OF Columbia, the
Government burns thousands OF tons
here each year The Capitol the IL
brary of Congress, and the state. W az
and Navy Departments take great pride
ia keeping clean and use only the best
anthracite coal But they pay dearly for
the privilege OF showing a white front
The AVERAGE price OF the coal used on
Capitol HiI is $3.50 a ton. The state
/ War and Navy Departments are able 10
get their coal for as little as S5-Z5, owing
/ 10 the fact that IT. Is au easy haul 10
I their coal vaults. and the fact that they
! have their own scales on the grounds
/ Soft coal the Government buys at an
/ average OF 50 a ton
How Coal Is Weighed and Stored.
/ In the old days there were officers ap-
pointed 10 weight and measure all the
fuel that the Government purchased for
/ consumption i'm the District OF Columbia.
. This system was found 10 be uusatisfac-
I tory in several ways. II gave the oin-
cfale a chance for unlimited graft and
it was q chance Of which some OF Them
undoubtedly took advantage, believing
i'm Jnar excellent advice DO not neglect
your opportunities When this kind of
4 graft beear.. extensively apparent the
= Government took steps TO correct the
abuse. The law providing for the APP
B goiutmeuJ of such officers was repealed
D and each department and Government
= institution was instructed 90 look after
& the delivery of It's own coal and wood
F. Today all kinds OF precautions are takeI
10 insure the safe delivery OF the coal
The superintendent or the buildings oil
the chief engineer as the case may DE
p details a special man to see that the
f. coal is properly weighed either on IN
y scales of the company delivering lt o
p upon Government scales. Other men ar
. sent along with the wagons to see Iha
. there is none of the precious carbo
\ taken from them after 81 leaves th
y . scales in the coal yards and before
= reaches its proper destination. Thi
= manner of beating" the Government
II has also been tried with much success
% Capitol Leads in Coal Consumption.
% More coal is burned ga the Capt.,
l than in any of the other Government
w. buildings In Washington for the purpos
70 Of heating. Lighting ana veutuatul
70 Probably no other single building la IA
"a United States expeuds so much none
= annually in an effort 10 furnish its il
p mates with the modern c0uyeuiences
does the seat of government of the lau'
This enormous consumption OF fuel
{. made necessary by the large extent Z
-- the structure and its almost uuiimite
.- ventilation. Another factor that mus
Ne be taken into consideration iu this COZ
.o| nectiou is the arbitrary way iu who
h. the Senators and Representatives req
m late the amount OF light ana heat IN,
a they use i'm their individual rooms an
.a committee chambers. Ia comes Sci
r. ator. hot under the collar from a ~
at bate or a visit 10 the President. Up GOT
%. his windows and the heat flies merri
It into space. Perhaps he viii hurry OF
-y again in "a few moments and leave u
H. windows wide open until some memb
be- OF the Capitol force comes TO close theI
ma 1t has been "A great task 90 bring d
Pc Capitol. which is more than "a huudr,
be- years old, up TO the modern requir
Is meuts Of luxury and convenience. IN
10 burden has fallen iu great part upon q
shoulders OF Elliott Woods, the suDeri