The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-27
BUILDING FOR LAW
MAKERS BEAUTIFUL
New $4,000, 600 Structure at
Washington Is Well
Equipped.
MOVING DAY" SOON.
MOVING DAY" SOON.
MANY OF OLDER SENATORS ARE
lOATH TO LEAVE THOSE
APARTMENTS IN CAPITOL so
LONG OCCUPIED.

Washington, Sept. 26.-The compile
tion OF a s4,000,000 office building and
the furnishing of it In magnificent
style for occupants who are to have
quarters within 1t free of all cost or
dinarily would be hailed with delight
by those for whose convenience it was
constructed. Such, however, does not
appear to be the mood in which the
United States senators look forward
to their removal from the capitol to
the new office building, which will be
ready for them upon the converting OF
the next session of congress. Espec-
tally is this true of those senator's
whose long years of service have put
them In possession Of the most de.
sirable committee rooms in the capt.
tol, to which they may retire when
the proceedings of the day become
irksome The capitol building long
since failed to meet the demands OF
an expanding country and the growth
OF a legislative body that originally
found room and to spare within the
great building that sits on the TOP OF
the hill where the laws of our coun-
try are made.
To meet the situation and to make
1t possible for each one Of the 1856
members of the house of representa-
tives to conveniently perform his
share of the public duties. congress
four years ago appropriated several
millions for a house office building
that was completed and occupied last
session. In slower measure the senate
too, has grown numerically, and aot
to be outdone by the house, similar
appropriation was made and the mag
nificent structure facing the capitol
opposite the house building is the re-
suit. But the old senators are 10th
to give up their familiar quarters.
Building Beautiful.
The building is chasteIy structure
designed on classical lines to cores
pond with the other public buildings
of the city, the material used being
granite and marble. There is every
evidence of grandeur and solidity but
nothing indicative Of gaudiness or ex-
travigance. Each senator will have
reception room and private office
for himself and his secretary. Bath
rooms, retiring rooms, ETC., go to
make the apartments perfect in their
purpose to provide for the comfort
and convenience of the occupants.
The furniture will be of solid mahog-
any. The show places will be elabor.
ate. In the retundas, audience rooms
and more important committee rooms
there will be an abundance of marble
and mahogany, paintings and cut glass
chandeliers, pleasing to the eyes of
the visitors to the national capitol
Despite all this comfort and ele-
gance the veterans of the senate
would much prefer to remain where
they are but they will be compelled
to give way to the demand for more
room in the old structure in which
to accommodate the more important
committees that control the chief mat.
tiers of public business. After the
senate meets there will be a special
committee appointed to allot the new
quarters. A few veterans of the old
school. whose years give them prest.
age, win be permitted to choose their
apartments but the assignments of
the rest will be determined by lot, and
there will be a general removal from
the capitol which for fifty years has
housed the members of the senate.
Connected With Capitol.
The new building is connected with
the capitol by subway in which 1t
is the intention ultimately to install
an electric railway so senators can
ride the short distance between their
offices and the senate chamber This
subway is paved, well ventilated and
lighted and senators can easily walk
to and from their offices without be.
ing exposed to the weather. Then,
too. the new arrangement will make
them less accessible to those whose
visits they do not desire. The duties
of senator are being performed now
under vastly more comfortable condi-
lions than formerly, but when he gets
into his new quarters he will be sur.
rounded by every convenience the in.
genuity of man can suggest.