New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-13

Wednesday for the construction Of the exterior
walls of the office building Of the House of
Representatives. The expectation is that the
contract thereafter will be awarded at the
earliest possible moment and the work Of COM
pleting the building begin without delay. Mr.
Woods hopes and expects to have the structure
ready for occupancy in two years. The build
ing as finally designed is gigantic in size Its
front. on B-st., will be 416 feet inches; on
New Jersey-ave, 4T0 feet inch; on est, 34S
feet 3 inches, and on 1st-st., 452 feet inches
It is to occupy the entire square lying southeast
of and diagonally opposite the Capitol. 1t will
be three stories in height, and when completed
will contain 436 Offices which to be set apart
for the use of members of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Mr.. Woods, in providing so large number OF
rooms has taken into account the possible de-
rnands Of the future, and his arrangements are
such that if in twenty forty years from now
the membership Of the House should undergo
such an increase as to require additional offices.
they can be provided by adding another story to
the building without impairing its architectural
beauty. The building is to be classic in style,
with an abundance OF ornamentation The B.
ST front facing the plaza between the Capitol
and the Library OF Congress, is to be elaborate
in its ornamentation having thirtyfour columns
architectural and artistic glories of the building
It will be deliberately decorated in bronze. mar
bic and decorative plaster, and It's otherwise
splendid effects will be heightened by monu-
mental staircase. The interior arrangements Of
the building have been designed solely with a
view to constituting it an ideal workshop for
members OF the House Of Representatives.
There is to be a caucus assembly hall 81 by
81 feet which will be set apart for the uses of
the party organizations OF the House. For
years both parties have held their caucuses in
the House of Representatives 1t will no longer
be necessary to do this after the office building
is completed.
Another feature Of the building will be its
dining hall on the second floor. in the northeast
corner, facing the Congressional Library. This
will be- according to persons who have enjoyed
the privilege of inspecting the plans. one of the
finest rooms of it's kind in the country. and
probably will be hailed by legislators. who have
suffered from the inadequate accommodations
OF the present basement restaurant. a deliv-
erance. The kitchen is to be located in the at
tic, directly over the dining room-an arrange |
ment that will preclude the possibility of poison
ing the atmosphere with the fumes and odors OF |
cooking For years the restaurants of the Sem |
ate and House have been located in the base |
ments of the wings of the Capitol and It has al
ways been conceded that they were merely |
makeshifts. The building is to have a modern !
barber shop. adequate bathrooms. and heat |
ing and ventilating plant that will be modern |
and perfect as money can purchase. There are
to be twelve elevators. located in groups at the /
various entrances to the building. or four more
than are now installed in the Capitol. There
will be slow elevators for the older members of
the House and fast elevators for those who like
to be shot up and down at lightning speed.
Members of the House will doubtless try to re-
ceive as many Of their callers as possible in the
office building. and thus put an end TO the prac-
tice of meeting strangers and friends in the
corridors Of the House. This practice has grown
to the proportions OF a gigantic imposition upon
the patience and generosity Of Representatives
and there is no sort of doubt that 1t interferes
seriously with the business of the House. 1t is
proposed TO install corps OF ushers and messen-
gers in the building, whose duty IL will be
TO escort visitors 10 the rooms of Representa-
lives. There is 10 be a telephone switchboard, |
which will permit connection with every office; |
modern postDfflce in the basement through
which members will receive their mail fully an
hour earlier each morning than 1t can be de-
ivered to them at the present time, and enough |
)ther conveniences TO cause present and future
legislators 10 bless the name OF Uncle Joe"
cannon, who conceived the idea of constructing
he building.
hat the building as 1t viii appear when com
oleted is merely refinement OF the original
irawing which he submitted to the commission,
OF Speaker Cannon and Representa-
ives Hepburn, of Iowa, and Richardson, of Ten
lessee Mr.. Woods has had the advice and
assistance IN his work Of Thomas Hastings OF
he architectural firm of Carrera & HastingE |
Z New York. one OF the foremost members OK