New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-21
CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS
What the Members viii See When
Congress ReopenS.
frRoM THE rRrpuNE BuREAu.I

hperaI application Of soap and paint can make
II. IN order to make the annual summer house
cleaning of the big white building an artistic as
well as a material success it has been necessary
TO employ, in addition to those regularly on the
rolls large force of decorators, mechanics and
iaborers whose efforts. under the direction of
Elliott Woods. superintendent of the Capitol,
nave resulted in making the winter quarters of
Congress as spic and span even the most fas-
tidious member Of the national legislature could
desire.
one problem which taxed TO the utmost the
ingenuity of Mr.. Woods quick lunch"
proposition, not alone calculated to meet the
democratic taste of the ordinary mortal but de-
signed also TO satisfy the fnical and ex-
pensive ideas of the members of the House OF
Representatives. Under the rehabilitation and
rearrangement of the House restaurant. II is be-
heved that both the service and the food will be
vastly improved and It Is confidently predicted
that a patron will be able hereafter to have his
order filled on the day that it is made
without the customary tip in advance pre-
sentng to the waiter sworn affidavit that the
victim will. after the ordeal is over reimburse
him for his time and trouble.
QUICK LUNCHEONS
When the House decided at the last session
that there should be a change in the manner and
method of conducting the House restaurant the
Committee on Accounts directed to devise
something definite In the way of reform and TO
suggest scheme for betterment. The result of
its deliberations was embodied in the following
report:
gress least IT has been manifest that House
restaurant has not been conducted satisfactorily to
The restaurant luncheon rooms. being pr-
ployes of the House. should be conducted to their
satisfaction nearly possible. without ref
q he or and q he Ia
be profitable TO its manager. This we find 10 be
the losses Sustained on account Of pershabe food
and on account OF wages paid to cooks and walters
ticable to conduct the business with the success
o od proper aT thG
ager OF the restaurant claims to have lost during
we have reason to believe that he has suffered
some loss. Deterioration in food and service re-
suited. and has been noticeable with the de-
But by the elimination of the elaborate bill Of fare
and by the adoption OF the simpler plan OF
luncheon rooms; such as are found in the business
believe that If the rooms now used by the House
T res are always 70 make them conform TO
members of the House would find the charges fully
stiles. and at the time that the manager. re-
leved OF losses on account of perishable food and
conduct the business proftably.
The Committee on Accounts opposed with con-
siderable emphasis proposition that the House
of Representatives manage the restaurant
through government employee appointed for the
purpose. remarking that your committee is
unanimously and most emphatcally opposed to
the House engaging in the restaurant business
and we further believe that if the luncheon
rooms such as we have suggested cannot be
with any greater degree of satisfaction to the
House than at present. with profit to their
manager, their doors would better be closed alto
gether"
NEW PIE COUNTER.
Superintendent Woods soon after the adjourn
ment began a careful study Of the luncheon
problem. and with the assistance of Mr.. Coffin.
the manager Of the House restaurant. designed
and perfected improvements which they are
convinced Will meet the requirements Of the
hungry Legislators and visitors at the Capitol.
A great archway has been cut In the wall be
tween what formerly the two separate
dining rooms and a steam table in the centre
will afford excellent facilities for promptly feed
ing the hungry in all parts of the restaurant.
Besides this, the bill of fare will be much less
elaborate. and 1t is the present intention to have
all the dishes enumerated the bill Of fare
ready to serve immedia tey. beginning at noon.
thus doing away with the long delays incident
upon the preparation OF special orders. A num-
Der of small tables will be installed, and there
viii be provided many little modern conven-
fences about the room where members in hurry
can help themselves. A feature which s
expected to prove eminently satisfactory is the
construction Of number OF private dining
rooms. II is realized that parties of members
are oftentimes anxious TO discuss private mat
tiers while at luncheon. This privilege has been
prevented by the public character Of the res
taurant. No expense has been spared in making
the remodeed eating place nearly ideal for
quick luncheon service as possible
Since the advent of prohibition In the home of
Congress and the sale of liquor in every form
absolutely cut off the House caterer has
been in trouble financially. The loss last season
he estimated at So, 100. Up to the close OF Con-
gress the restaurant conducted along pre-
c!sely the same lines with regard TO the food de-
partment, as before the income from the festive
cocktail and the exhilaratihe highbaIl ceased.
The restaurant was essentially a place for
luncheon only, and conducted with the same
elaborateness as the high class modern hosiery.
tips and all. AS Offset. however the House
furnished to it's restaurant keeper, without cost.
the dining rooms. kitchen, light, fuel and heat
which under ordinary circumstances. would de-
Yelop a paying business.
WHITE PAINT ALL OVER
While the House restaurant improvements will
be appreciated by the members Of the House
perhaps more than any made at the Capitol in
the recess. 1t is safe to that others will
attract attention and receive general commenda-
years the skirt base OF the Capitol dome was
scraped and painted According to Mr.. Woods
it was high time that this work was done es
leaks in several sections had resulted in num-
Der of rust patches OF large dimensions.
The decorators have been over twenty-eignt
committee rooms. restoring them, far as the
decorations are concerned along the line of the
buildings architecture and these rooms have
also been furnished with carpets and new
mahogany furniture, more attention than usual
having been paid TO entire harmony In the color
scheme of the decorations and furnishings. The
furnishing of the Senate and House rooms has
also been practically restored.
In the Supreme Court corridor and in the law
library new loorings have been laid, ceilings IN
some OF the rooms and corridors have been re-