The Washington herald., 1907-09-15
CAPITOL'O DRESS new
Supt. Woods Reports on the
0yerhauling.
TASK PROVES IMMENSE ONE
Senate. House, supreme Court, and
Committee Rooms Spick and span.
Sandstone work, Roof and Dome
FreEhened Up-Improvements Made
in Plumbing and Elevators.

SUpt Elliott Woods, Of the Capitol, has
announced the practical completion Of the
vast amount Of repair and ren0vating
work done annually on the building be-
tween sessions.
During the past summer there has been
a large amount of such work, and it has
been rushed with all possible speed. For.
the first time in years the exterior of the
dome was carefully and thoroughly treat
ed. All parts showing any indication OF
rust were cleaned down 10 bright iron
and then given several coats Of paint;
joints Of the metal were covered with
elastic cloth thoroughly soaked In fex-
IDLE paint; openings were flied with white
lead and putty. and the entire dome was
given good coat Of specially prepared
paint The sandstone work Of the Old
central portion and the roof were given
an overhauling. and the spaces between
ceiling and skyIights in bQ:h the Senate
and House chambers were painted
Magnitude of the Task.
The Capitol contains 40 rooms now de-
voted 10 Office. committee. and storage
purposes, SO windows, $50 doorways. 10
nreplaces, 81 wash basins and sinks; i
bath tubs, j. ventilaung fans. and IS
motors, S elevators, ZoiS horsepower Of
boilers for heating and lighting. S steam
pumps FOR boiler and fire service; Tho
lighting service equivalent 70 500 in
candescent lamps OF i6 candlepower each.
and H51S square feet Of sky.ighJs formed
of iron and glass.
These are the items that enter into and
are operated in the daily domestic life or
. the Capitol They are details that require
constant care and attention.
On the Senate SIDE the rooms Of the CON-
mittees on Interstate Commerce. Privl-
Ieges and Elections, Claims, Conference.
Post-offices ana Post Roads. the rooms Og
/ the Vice President and the Sergeant-at-
arms. and the document rooms were
painted and decorated Several OrEameu-
! tai skyiights We're added
Other improvements Made.
Further improvements are summed ID
as follows:
T Rooms Of House committees On Elec-
tions No. J. Indian Affairs. Private Land
. Claims, and Labor have been decorated
and painted. Also the folding, document.
and other rooms as well as al the
/ corridors in both Senate and House
wings have been painted. Several Of the
State seals over The chamber that were
( broken are being replaced with new ones.
/ II the Supreme Court section large
amount Of painting has been done. the
robiag-room having been specially deco
rated. A new bronze rail for the bar OF
/ the court has been erected. and carpets CS
I pleasing effect have been pat down on
/ the courtroom and the other rooms used
/ by the court.
/ A large exhaust fan has been installed
: over the Senate chamber. which viii i'm
. prove materially the ventilation " Tho
chamber. Much restoration work in Stat
uary Hall and the crypt has been done.
/ thereby restoring the walls and columns.
20 their original appearance before they
We're painted
The substitution OF more modern plumb
ing for the old style has continued
Desks in House OyerhauIed.
In the hall Of rhe House all Of the -
mahogany desks have been scraPed and
refnished. and the go chairs furnished
with improved castings which. il is be-
Heved viii add to their durability
The heating. ventIatiug. and lighting
Il departments have received their over
hauling and repairs. putting them IN
! proper condition for the coming session
OF Congress. in connection with these
departments the eight elevators in tho
building have had placed upon them new
cables. and their machinery thoroughly
lov-rrr7-fa5 and adjusted
Many Of the committee rooms in both
the Senate and House wings have been
given new furniture and carpets. AT tba
eight openings where there are now 70
revolving doors. these doors viii be in
stalled during the present season
P The lawns. trees. and siTubbe-y On tie
Capitol grounds have been kept in good
condition. Considerable replacing OF WO~l-
B out water pipes and street washers have
been made. and the r0adways and walks
/ repaired where needed.