The Washington herald., 1907-03-24

Washington's new union depot. the
pride of the nation, is nearing completion.
Next fall it is figured by The architects,
the Immense stone and steel Structure
will be turned over TO the railroad com
panies. the government, and the public
al large. Arrangements are being made
for the formal opening Of the station
early in Nay, when it Is understood the
Baltimore and Ohio viii begin running
its passenger trains on the elevated ap-
preach. Work is now progressing rapidly
toward finishing the east wing for the
convenience Of travellers.
Towering nearly 10 feet in the air the
arch covering the waiting room may be
seen from nearly all OF the higher points
of Washington From The top Of Wash
ington Monument and other elevations
the arch takes the resemblance of a gi-
gantie ball surrounded by walls Of white.
The steel work on the arch is nearly
complete. and the work of putting on the
eemented tiles viii begin shortly.
Hundreds Tons Material Daily.
Within the new waiting room. which is
ID lEEL III lCllEklt al-u A-1 AFNA WtANr WtANtN
a year from now hundred thousands OF
people viii be passing every twenty-four
hours. stands an enormous scaffold, which
is used in placing the steel girders IN
position.
Surrounding the structure. large steel
cranes are at work, running back and
forth. carrying tons of material just as
though it were a bundle Of feathers.
Twenty donkey engines, in addition.
stand at various places pulling vigorously
winding steel cables by the hundreds of
feet, and lifting large pieces Of iron and
stone. as we'll to their respective posi-
tions.
Hundreds Of tons of material, steel.
iron, stone. brick. wood. and other sub
stances. are handled daily at the new sta
tion and the work goes on as quietly and
regularly, rain or shine, as though il
were an every day occurrence TO build
the finest railway depot in the world.
Each man, every engine goes about the
silent work following the wonderful plans
as laid out by the architects, and all
without any apparent unusual effort or
great Inconvenience.
Five Hundred Men at work.
Now and then command from a fore
man may be heard or tine shrill whistle
as a signal TO the engineer. then the rat
Ting OF the machinery. Tie stone or steel
rises in the air as if by magic, and that
is all
Inside and out are the WOrkmen-5o0 of
them-going about their respective duties,
II is an every day happening 10 them.
while people marvel at their skin. their
dexterity, and their risks OF limb ana
life, without ever thinking Of anything
unusual in the least. All this. and more,
goes on every day in the week within a
stones throw of the United States Cap
itol, in the course Of the erection of a
building which viii compare favorable IN
beauty and architecture to the home of
the lawmakers ,on the Hill only a few
blocks away
one OF the features OF the new depot
just enc, as il is TO have many features
and places OF unusual interests 10 be
the concOurse leading from the main
parts Of the building 10 the railroad
tracks and sheds. This space Is 760 feet
In length and 100 feet wide. covered with
an arched roof. protected by glass which
viii allow the daylight 20 enter.
The COneOurSe. where it will be possible
TO accommodate thousands of people, has
practically been completed. The arch
overhead has been finished and within a
few weeks the roofing viii be put on.
The foundation for the floor has been laid /
and during the summer the elegant tile /
floor viii be put down. This space runs
east and west on the north side of the /
depot itself, and is between the tracks I
and the waiting and other rooms for the 1
convenience of the public.
CGss VIII a. Ggn 9An nan
Forces of workmen are now engaged in /
the Presidents quarters and the state re- l
ception room These apartments are in |
the east wing, and will not ordinarily be /
open to the public after the great struc- 4
ture has been put into commission. The /
thing for the walls OF the Presidents /
room is now being placed. II is in the /
exact southeast corner Of the wing, and 1
is TO be another feature of the grand /
building. The state reception room. whicn i
is just TO the north of the Presidents /
room, is also being tiled preparatory TO I
putting on the finishing touches. II is I
the intention OF the contractors 70 com /
plete the east wing ahead OF the other 4
parts of the station This Is the por- /
tion of the building that is to be used I.
when the Baltimore and Ohio starts run 1
ming its trains into the new depot
The latest estimate Of the cost of the /
union station, and all The necessary build /
ings connected with the plant. including
the pOwerhouse, and the tunnels and ap-
proaches to the depot itself, is in the 1
of 820008600 The task of /
preparing the lawns, driveways, and ap-
proaches 10 the depot which are 10 be /
unexcelled in this country, viii be ear
ried out during ths summer. Within a /
year Washingtonians and the travelling
fublic of the country viii be afforded the
privilege Of using the finest union depot I
in the world when arriving and departing
from the National Capital of the United 1
States.
VIII Lose "A Birthday.