The Washington times., 1910-03-26
Desks Will Be Removed and
Replaced by English
Benches.
MORE VENTILATION
WILL BE PROVIDED
Experiments Made on Noiseless
Cuspidors TO Minimize
Confusion.

This being revolution season in the
House Of Representatives, other changes
besides revision Of the rules are under
way.
Plans have been drawn and all prep
arations made for physical transfer
nation Of the House Chamber. All that
Is lacking 10 set an army Of workmen
on the Job IS the final fall Of the Speak
er's gaveI adjUurning the House sine
die
AS soon as the coattails Of the last
Congressman disappear through the
glass doors, the Overalls of carpenters.
ironworkers, and ulasons Will make their
appearance and the most tremendous
UpheaEal ever witnessed under the big
dome will begin.
The House Is TO be made smaller; the
desks Of the members are 20 be replaced
by benches after the fashion Of those
used in the British House Of Commons,
and an effort viii be made 70 let more
light into the now somewhat gloomy
chamber. To accomplish all this Con-
gress appropriated $4,000 some three
years ago. but UP TO the present year
sufficient time has not been given the
workmen 10 get at the task.
Opportunity tor Work.
Year before last Congress held an ex-
traordinaruy long session. and last
summer the law makers were here
sweating through the hot spell, making
q new tariff law. This summer there is
likely to be nothing TO prevent the work.
Most Of the members wish 10 get
home as soon as possible. anyway. 10
look after their fences for November, so
Elliott Woods Superintendent Of the
capitol, under whose direction this work
will be done. has issued orders for the
beginning of operations as soon as Con-
gress quits.
The most noticeable change in the ap-
pearaEce of the House Chamber viii be
made by the removal Of the wall di-
rrCty behind the Speakers desk, and
the bringing I'm OF the two walls, right
and let1 OF the Speaker, to narrow the
apartment The present press gallery
viii be wiped out and the newspaper
men and teleEraphers given quarters at
either side of the rooms they now use.
HeDlacing the desks Of the members
on the floor viii ne little narrow strips
or shelves, only wide cnOuCh 10 hold a
small book The comfortable swiN al
chairs they nov occupy will make way
Tor long, hard benches. SO that when
the alteration is completed the House
Of Representatives. will look like a
district school.
Other Striking Changes.
Another and very noticeable change
will be the installation of a large tai bic
IN front OF the House directly before
the Speakers desk, for the accommo-
dation Of the gentlemen in charge Of a
bill. OF for anyone who for any reason
nay expect TO occupy the floor for a
considerable length of time and wish
TO fOTtify himself with documents or vol
umes from the library
He can spread his literature upon this
table 10 get closer view
BY uaking the House chamber smaller
II Is hoped that the acoustics may he
improved Just AT present they are
about The worst that can be found in
the country. 1t is practically impossible
for anyone I'M tho galleries to hear a
member on the floor unless the member
has lungs of leather and eXerts them TO
the utmost BY taking away the desks
and easy chairs il is thought that those
members who are not interested I'm the
speeches or debates will absent them
selves from the chamber.
Under present conditions about half
Of those in daily attendance While away
their time by Coversing with each other
in loud tones Of voice or add 10 the
RACKET by slamming thoir desks and
kicking the CuSpldOrS. Superintendent
Wood saws he is experimenting with an
uiEickable and nOisclcss Cuspidor which
he expects 10 install ir the new cham
ber