The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-03-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
What Is Transpiring at the National
Capital


craving and printing, to cost $4,000, 900,
has been provided for in bill which
was recently reported by the house
committee on public buildings and
grounds.
The overcrowding of machinery and
employees has reached to every room in
the building. Notwithstanding the ever
increasing demand for work officials
say it is a question under present condi-
ton if the limit of capacity has not
been reached.
The density is greater on the third
floor, where the main hand press room
is located. Here the conditions are
said to be more aggravated than in any
other quarter of the building. In con-
tinuous lines the presses by necoc-'.
are placed against each e-,ler, and the
aisle between the Inns by actual meas
urement ar sixteen inches wide. In
thes. narrow spaces the printers and
+ Ineir women assistants work, the men
performing the hardest kind of manual
labor.
| The women who work in these sur
roundings are mostly young, between
/ the ages of seventeen and twenty-five.
1t is the policy of the bureau not to
employ women as assistants who are
more than thirty-fve years old. The
nature of the work requires that it
Shall be done quickly, and the person
doing it must possess agility of mind
and body. 1t is not unusual for them
to fall in faint at their work.
A hospital, with a physician in charge,
has been established, but for want Of
space even this is inadequately equip
ped
/ The new amusement hall to be erect
ed at the Government Hospital for the
Insane, so far as modern construction
and design are concerned, will be Wash
ington's most up to date playhouse.
The designs show building which
will be practically theater, although
1t will be known as an amusement hail.
1t will have every convenience, feature
Of equipment and advantage in design
that is known in theatrical architecture
The hall will be devoted to performances
given for the patients at the hospital
and will cost $75, 900 to build.
Beside being absolutely fireproof in
construction, the building will be
equipped with every known continuance
to Kill flames in case fire should ever
start. Among these are the water eur
tain, asbestos curtain, automatic sprink-
! lers, and automatic skylight. The hall
will seat 700 people in the main audi
forum and 300 additional in the balcony,
which will be used by guests.
In designing the stage every detail
of modern equipment has been given
careful thought and study, with the
end in view to have as complete and
professionally" correct stage as pos
sible. There is to be a brick fire wall
between the stage and the auditorium.
and the stage opening is to be provided
with an asbestos curtain, curtain and
drops to be hung upon steel girdlron,
with iron blocks and wire ropes.
Suspended .4erneath the girdiron
there will be 81 automatic sprinkler
so arranged 10 to play on the asbestos
curtain, 81 drops and all parts of the
stage.
This is an essential requirement in
modern theater construction, as MANY
fires occur from defective wires in drop
loft and often gain considerable head
way before being discovered.
Exquisite orchids have been imported
from the Philippines for the White
House Conservatives. When Mrs
Roosevelt presides over the post Lenten
gayeties society at the capital will have
the pleasure of admiring these recent
acquisitions. Since coming to the
White House Mrs. Roosevelt has DUNG
persistently to the imposing flower
known as the Lady Finger" orchid