The Jersey City news., 1906-01-06
TO ENLARGE The
STATE CAPITOL
Tt Is Likely This Legislature
Will Be Asked for An
Appropriation to Build An
Addition
$4,000 is NECESSARY
THE EXTENSION is TO PROVIDE
ROOM FOR ALL raE STATE OF
FIoEs THREE PROPOSE
TIoNs REGARDING THE PRO
JECT
espeelal 70 ..rne Jersey city News..1

TRENTON, Jan. 6, 1906.-It is prob
able that before the legislature adjourns
/ definite steps will be taken to provide
I an addition to the state capitol. The
/ present structure, it is claimed. is to-
tally inadequate for the housing of all
the state departments, and twice year,
before and at the close of the legislative
session, Custodian John w. Weseman is
put at his wits end to find accommoda-
,gtions for all the state officials.
Two state departments. created
within the past three years, have abb
solutely no permanent quarters in the
capitol, and non can be provided for
them. These are the departments of
labor, and charities and corrections.
Between sessions of the legislature they
have been occupying senate committee
rooms in the senate wing of the state
house. Then the week before the session
opens it has been necessary to move the
departments bodily and crowd them into
rooms already occupied by other depart
ments, thereby seriously handicapping
latter.
The adjutant generals department has
eompletely outgrowD the offices assigned
ito it, and has also occupied committee
room of the senate. This necessitates a
removal similar to that mentioned.
On the Assembly side of the State
sHouse the conditions are no better. The
Estate Board Of Agriculture is crowded
unto an Assembly committee room-has
mo other home. The State Fish and Game
mission also occupies sn Assembly COM
nittee room, because there is no other
place for It in the building. The Depart
ment Of Roard4s crowded into offices un-
fitted for the vyeck of those officials, and
under che new scheoi law the duties as
signed to the State Board of Education
have been 50 multpaied that more Office
help was. employed and that greatly over
crowds fhis branch OF the State govern
ment.
The laboratory of hygenie of the State
Board of Heeath is crowded entirely out
of the building. This is charged with
chemically testing the food supplies sold
under State regulations, and similar oper-
atiens. This department occupies rented
j quarters in the Broad street bank build
ing, which cost the State $75 per month
This is per cent on $4,000, sum
more than would be necessary to pay the
cost of one proposed addition.
Custodian Weseman will be compelled
TO make the necessary changes this week
secure he vacation of he committee
rooms and get them in readiness for the
opening of the Legislature next Tuesday.
The departments of labor and charities
and corrections will be located in the new
court room in the Senate wing, the only
division between them being temporary
screens. The removal of the heavy fling
cases, desks and other furniture from
the first to the second fooor is no small
job. Similar temporary accommodations
inconvient and ill-adapted for good work,
wih have TO be provided for the other de-
partments mentioned as occupying COM
mittee rooms.
Three propositions are being consid
cred for the enlargement of the capitol.
State Treasurer Briggs, it is said, is in
favor of increasing the accommodations.
It is understood that Comptroller Nor
gan will not oppose the project, and
Governor Stokes has consented to give it
his attention. These three constitute
the state house commission. which has
charge of the capitol, and it is thought
likely that the matter will be gotten in
such shape at this session that an addi-
tion will be a reality before the time for
the session of 1907.
The proposition which meets with
MOST favor among certain state officials
y to rebuild the wing containing the Of
Fees Of the state board of taxation, as
sessors and custodian on the first floor
and the chancery court room and ante
rooms on the second floor. IF this ii
done the wing will be practically torn
down and extended to Delaware street.
giving II much greater length 1t
would also be made three stories in
height. with q large bacement under the
whole.
This basement would make an ideal