The Washington herald., 1908-07-04
BoASORo0M
WILL DEDICATE
NEW CITY HOME
Continued from Page One.

the authority of Congress in a most ad-
mirable manner The building viii stand
as a monument to their good judgment
1 wish you a most delightful occasion"
Adds B. Browne. OF the Board OF Trade,
will speak for that body. and Chaplin
Brown will make the address on behalf
of the Chamber Of Commerce. These two
organizations, with similar working aims
for the progress and betterment OF the
Capital City, have been large factors IN
the ranks of the Commissioners fighting
before Congress for the project when To-
day is accomplished.
In closing the exercises, America" will
be sung by the entire assemblage, led by
the band and a chorus OF 100 voices
which will be in the stand.
A number OF prominent officials from
nelghboring cities have accepted the IN
vitation of the local committee 10 oe
present at the opening Among them are
Mayor J Barry Mahool, of Baltimore:
Mayor Carlton Mccarthy. Of Richmond
Va; Mayor J. P. McCaskey Of Lancas-
ter. Pa. Mayor Paff Of Alexandria. va.
and Mayor Wells. Of Annapolis Owing 70
local celebrations. which are Of impor-
tance, others sent their regrets.
To Hold Reception.
District Commissioners Henry b. h.
Macfarland. Henry L. West and Maj. Jay
| ]. Morrow. will hold a reception to the
public in the building Immediately after
the exercises. AT that time the public
will have its first opportunity 10 inspect
thoroughly the handsome and imposing
structure which has been in the course Of
construction during the last five years.
At l o'clock. az the New Willard Hotel,
la luncheon will be given by the executive
committee TO those participating in the
! exercises and the visitors from other
cities. Commissioner West will preside.
one Of the features of the decorations
OF the front of the building are the guam
titles Of evergreen trees. which were
brought from the country 10 aid the pic
| ture and set off the clear white Of the
marble walls. Along the coping in front
of the edifiCe fifty. bay trees have been
arranged. and abou 1.-THE main entrance
are groupings of palms and other trop-
/ teal growths.
! The committee which is responsible for
/ this picturesque effect was composed of
! W. F. Guide. r. H. Kramer. G. II. Cooke,
| George Schaffer. q. d. Blackstone, James
| Phillips and Wallace Rimmell.
Beginning az o'clock this evening.
there will be a pyrotechnical display on
the White Lot. following which takes
| place the illumination extraordinary OF
/ Pennsylvania avenue. Strings Of electric
lights and poles holding vari-colored
lights have been placed at intervals along
the Avenue. and the sight viii undoubt-
edly be a memorable one, with the beauti-
full building as the center Of the picture
So. after five years of actual work and
many more or argument and debate be
fore Congress, the District government is
this day to be installed in a home worthy
Of its needs and importance. For about
twelve years the District has occupied
the old quarters I'm Louisiana avenue, and
before that the Offices were In a building
still more inadequate I'm First street
The Old Power Plant.
When Congress finally decided upon
this building. the competition for the
plans began. and the successful architects
we're Cope & Stewartson, OF Philadelphia
Tearing down of the old power plant
which formerly occupied the site and the
laying Of the foundations for the new
structure began in 1903, and took yeal
for completion.
James L. Parsons. Of this city. was
awarded the contract, and by turning the
building over to the District to-day he
has finished ahead Of the time limit by
four months.
For the District government, the entire
operation of the building was supervised
by the engineering department. At frs
this work fell to Capt. Chester Harding
and he was succeeded by Capt. William
| Kelly. one of the present assistant engi
peers TO the Engineer Commissioner.
The first stone of the building proper
was laid on August 90 1905. AS ordered
by Congress. all Of the marble and grant,
facing stone was purchased by The Dis
trict government The cost Of the dig
ging of the foundations is also charged t
, the city funds
In all. the cost to the District and Il
the United States for the erection an'
completion of this imposing structure fo
the government Of the Capital of the ma
tion is approximately $2.5OO.OOO
With the close of business yesterday
life in the old quarters practically cam
= to an end. The work was pushed Wig
orously all day, and by the fall Of nigh
: only a few departments remained in Lou
isianna avenue
The Last of the Work.
On Monday the executive offices, tn
fire and police headquarters will follo0
the other departments, and then all wi
be finally installed in the new home.
For a period Of about one week the rul
which has been in force for the last wee
Of closing the building to the public a
noon. in order that the clerks of the gov
ernment may get at the work of putin
things in readiness. will continue. B
, that time it is expected everything wi
be in working order, and officials an