Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-13
Names Capitol Now Given
Over 10 Wreckers.
Only The Rear Half Still &C.
cupied by Departments.
Labor Bureau Gathering Statistics
On Industrial Accidents.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
Tuesday, Dec. 81, at 10 A. M.

The work Of demolition of that por
ton of the State House which will be
affected by the reconstruction and ex-
tension of TIE building will soon be
commenced in earnest as the prelim-
mary operations are already in prog
ress ard will he followed within few
days by the work itself. A crew of
men Known as ''Wreckers'' and in the
employ OF firm of contractors who
make a specially Of demolisfing public
and other buildings will carry on the
tearing Gown operations anG 1t IS UNI
derstood that the work VIII be done
very thoroughly. Outside OF the build
ing this work will include the taking
down the granite ends OF the north
anI south wings. the stone of which il
is understood will be used in some of
the construction work of the new por-
lions of the building. The inner walls
however, which are of brick, will prob
ably be left until spring.
In the interior of the building opera
lions have air 'ady been commenced,
the front half having been given over
to the contractors. Men are working
in the basement tearing up the floors
and clearing out the rubbish prepara-
tory to CARRYING on the work of recon-
struction there when the time comes.
Friday ard Saturday the heat was
shut off from the front part of the
building and the steam pipes and ra-
diators removed, which leaves the rO-
tunda and the various departments,
also tn" Senate chamber and Reprcsen,
tativce' hall to tn" tender careSSes of
the winter atmosphere The electric
lighting fixtures and wires nave also
been removed. so that gloom will be
added to the scene Of Ges0latlon.
Visitors to the state House during
the winter will not have much opor-
tunity of viewing the scene of destrlc-
ton which the workers have wrought,
as the entire front of the building will
be closed to the public. The main en-
trance will be closed and the only en-
trance to the building will be by the
north door. The rotunda VIII he shut
out from the public gaze by partition
which will be built across the west
side and in front of the grand stair.
Gaze and will etfectually separate the
front from the occupied portions of
the building.
A pathetic incident in connection
WIN tIlc tIl was lIle removal
Friday of the old battle flags from the
rotunda. These old flags. more than
100 in all, had for many years occu-
pied two large cases. one at the north
ard the other az the south side of the
rotunda, and in their ragged and stain
ed condition had Deen gaZed upon in
veneraton by the thousands who visit
ed the Capitol from year to year. Some
time ago it was desired if possible to
adopt some means for preserving these
flags and later an appropriation was
made for the purpose, but thus far the
purpose has not been carried out. There
was too. some doubt that the work
could b. successfully done.
But in view of the work that is to
be done in the rOtunda the flags were
removed last week of necessity, where
the cases have stood the walls of the
rotunaa will be tern away to give place
to two lrciWays. one at the north ard
the other at the south side, which will
be a part Of the long corridor which
will traverse the building from north
to south.
The flags came nut in much better
shape than was anticipated. Some of
them are torn OF course, as they have
been for yerr;. but they held together
well in their removal, and some of the
larger flags We're in remarkably good
condition. Many of the smaller flags
or markers We're badly rOrn, @ number
of them having nothing left but few
shreds attached to the pole, and it Is
said that it Was thus that they came
nome AFTER the war. The flags as they
were taken from the cases were care
fully wound about their staffs and
each flag was as carefully encased in
paper to protect it from further harm.
What will be the disposition of the
Hays when the new Capitol is com-
pleted cannot yet be stated.
In accordance with an act of the last
Legislature Commissioner Lyons of the