Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

manner of installing emergency proyi-
sions. First duplicity is used wherever
1t has been found practicable and consist
ent with economy. There are two sets of
busbars, duplicate feeders, and an emer-
geacy provision in connection with the
storage battery, whereby the central plant
and all of the substations are automat-
ically and at once supplied with light
from the storage cells the instant the
hiGh-tension current is cut off or stopped
for any cause.
The reinforced concrete tunnel system
connecting the plant with the Capitol and
other buildings is no less interesting thai
the plant itself. These tunnels are seven
and one-half feet in height by four feet
in width, and have an approximate length
of about 5000 feet and are provided with
suitable entrance manhoies at various
points. They are electrically lighted, and
the lights so wired as to permit an op-
orator to turn on and Off series of
lamps before and behind him as he goes.
To obviate all danger to employees and
others using the tunnels. 1t was determin-
ed that conduit line for the high
pressure electric cable system should be
built outside of the tunnel. and this has
been done. the conduits running just near
the top and parallel with the tunnels
Steam is furnished the various buildings
through heavy wrought-steel piping. From
the plant to the nearest building a four
teen-inc pipe is used. and this diminishes
gradually down to nine and seven inch
branches to the other buildings. 1t is
believed that very little heat Will De lost
in the transmission of steam through this
piping, though il will necessitate a con-
tinuous high pressure to keep in the prop
er degree of temperature the very large
buildings supplied by this central station.
The construction of this plant will In
the end cost the government approNi-
mntely 81 500. 600 and 1t Is estimated that
the operating expenses will be between
$50. 600 and $4,000 annually Owing to
the very stringent smoke law In wash
ing;on and the peculiarly esthetic tastes
of our senators and congressman regard
ing the Immaculate white marble con-
gressional structures. hard coal has here
tofore been used In these buildings The
present plant, however, being located at
a considerable distance from the build
ings, together with the high chimneys
and up-to-date apparatus, Will enable
the use Of soft coal. and when it Is con-
sidered that this latter coal costs some
what less than one-half the price OF hard
coal, and the fact that at present the
Capitol, the Library and the two office
buildings require nearly 1000 tons OF
hard coal annually. while the new plant
will probably use not near that amount
Of soft coal at half the price. 1t can DE
seen at a glance what an enormous say
Ing in coal alone is to be had, TO say
nothing of the great economy in corcen-
tration of labor and repairs.
4
The government supervision OF the ell
tire structure comes under Elliott Woods,
s-lperintendent Of the United States Capt.
sol building and grounds. and Christian
p. 4liem, chief electrical engineer.
A unique feature in the building Of this
plant is tho corner stone. At the north
east corner Of the building lies great
gray granite stone, on one of the ex-
posed faces OF which is Inscribed First
in War" The rest of the familiar quota
ton is not visible This stone was Tor
,.riy the base for the historic Greenough
.ratue of George Washington, which
stood for many years at the east front or
the Capitol and which was recently re-
moved to the National Museum on ac-
count of deterioration caused by expo
sure. Supt Woods was at a loss as TO
what should be done with this huge piece
of granite. which originally cost the gov
eminent So, 600, until Mr.. GLEN suggested
that instead of having the stone lay idie
he be allowed to take 1t for a corner
stone for his power plant.