Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-06

thus held Melted the sum of t46.606Q1. ana
up to the close OF the year 1S99 there was
subscribed stock to the amount OF SLID
shares. representing $81. $50. or q little more
than half OF the minimum amount to be
subscribed under the charter. At the close
OF the year 1900 the amount OF stock sub
scription was $3.50 shares, of value OF
$s7 $3.50. s63, "a being paid on account OF
stock subscribed.
The condition OF the finances of the asso-
citation June Z. 1902. was suoh as to war
rant preliminary steps looking to the erec-
ton of the building, and on that date It was
decided to invite tentative plans to be sub
mitIed by various architects. Later in the
year plans submitted by Wood. Dom &
Deuling. architects were formally accepted
by the association. and the temple viii be
erected in accordance Herewith.
1t was the view of those engaged In the
worthy project of building the temple"
that Washington. being the capital of the
nation. the Masonic Temple located here
ought to be of great dignity and simplicity
and entirely in keeping with the classic pub
lie buildings for which Washington Is well
known. The architects have had these
facts in mind and have designed a building
which. by its classic proportions. is unmis
takably a temple but so modified as to
suit the changed conditions of our time
and age.
Meaning Of Three Facades.
The three facades, by their several parts,
convey to the mind the uses to which each
part is put-the public part by large open
ings enthusiastically framed. and the secret
by small openings and large. simple wall
surfaces. The impression to be conveyed Is
that part of the building will be for public
use, while a larger part will forever remain
closed book. with all its mystery, to the
unintiated
A regular source of revenue being i'm
perative for the partial support of such
buildings. the first floor will be rented out
for lectures. balls etc. On such occasions
the basement banqueting hall viii probably
be used by those who occupy the audi
torium.
The classic style of architecture which has
been employed in this building Is the most
enduring of all styles and surely the one
style in which the Temple of the Ancients
reached its greatest beauty and highest de-
velopment.
The peculiar shape of the site made It
possible to impress on the shortest but
must important facade. facing fifty feet and
eight inches 18th street, the character
of the temple that the most ignorant
might. without inquiry. know its purpose.
The sides extending down New York avenue
1872 feet inches and H street IA feet 3
inches, respectively. are a continuation OF
this 18th street motive. but here the win
dows are made much more archaic in char
acter, and by their shape. size and DISPOSE
ton lend mystic character to the structure
Six Stories High.
The building will be six stories high, with
the STORY ABOUT thirty feel III the main
auditorium. the total height being 10 feet
above the sidewalk. the greatest height al
lowed by law on this site. 1t Will be heated
by steam and have a special system of ven
tilation for the audltoriums, banquet hail.
lodge and locker rooms. The structure Is
to be fireproof throughout, with steel-frame
construction. The exterior walls, however,
will be self-sustaining The audltoriums
and lodge rooms are to be practically free
from columns with fifty-foot plate Orders
spanning from wall to wall.
The massive Indiana limestone base of the
building Is heavily rusticated The sprin-
cipaI entrance Is marked by a large semi
circular opening or doorway to distinguish
1t from the rectangular openings on the
sides. which merely are entrances and exits
to the auditorium
fanked at either end by heavily rusticated
piers, which complete tnat part OF the COIN
position.
An attic crowns the building with a balus-
trade on top to give scale to the whole.
Of Light-Colored Material.
The whole composition is designed for a
ug'ht-colored material. The base will be of
limestone The cornice and other architec-
turaI features, such as the caps and bases
of pilasters. trims about windows, and the
columns and balustrades. etc, will also be
of limestone terra Gotta to match In
color while the main body OF the whole
will be of a selected gray brick, pleasing
to the eye and in perfect harmony with the
limestone trimmings.
The plans for the new temple provide first
for basement the main portion of the