New-York tribune., 1911-12-03
Superintendent Woods and
His Force Have Been Busy
at the Job Ever Since
Last Session.
vHHE workmen who have been setting

TIHE workmen who have been setting
the stage in Washington for the
n opening of Congress tomorrow pulled
out the last OF their ladders and scaffolds
last week and stored them away in the
subterranean passageways OF the Capitol.
4 few scattering crews will he rubbing off
The rough corners and cleaning Up the
debris up 10 the hou- when tho House and
senate begin their winters work, hut most
Of the hustle and hustle OF preparation were
over before the advance hosts Of Congress
appeared on the scene.
The week just over was the last one OF
the erond rush in Washington preparatory
TO the opening Of the national legislature.
Tho business Of Congress will draw the at
tention Of the country. but the business or
getting ready for Congress passes with
slight notice None Of the thanksgivings
offered last week was more heartfelt than
those OF Elliot Woods and his assistants in
charge Of the SS5,000Ooo Capitol property
when definite order began 20 appear out OF
the confusion and rush Of the preceding
months
From the time tie last departing Con-
gresham hurried away TO catch train last
August Superintendent Woods and his big
crew have been at work day and night
doing the annual house cleaning and fur
hishins up that is. necessary To keep tho
Capitol and its surrounding buildings In
condition and to make the work Of Con-
grcss comfortable. expeditions and health
full
Down i'm the subterranean passageways
of tho great building. where visitors seldom
penetrate. and whose very existence is un-
known 70 most Of the public there is a
large and highly organized force that waits
with impatiencc for tho end Of a session.
its pickets prowl about the Capitol every
day looking for signs Of trouble in the
building or its intricate equipment mark
ing things that will need rebuilding or re-
pair when Congress is gone, planning
changes that arc necessary and laying the
ground work for the work that must be
rushed through i'm the short interval be-
tween the end of one session and the be-
ginning Of another.
out of the Subterranean burrows when
Congress adjouns pour ladders. scafolds,
plumbing tools paint bpckcts and all the
implements of the important trades of
Eouse building and fepair. Noise and hustle
such as Congress never hears began the day
Sherman announced adjournment last Au-
gust, and with the opening Of the new ses-
sion il disappears for another year, leaving
behind a clean house in good repair.
The century-old Capitol has been washed
and polished inside and out; the marble
Office buildings hanking it have been
scrubbed until they shine Statuary Hall
has been renovated and its marble occu-
pants scrubbed and manicured. The Sen
ate Chamber has been done over in the pre-
valing mode and each senator's desk re-
finished by expert cabinetmakers
Supreme Court, House Chamber, commit
tee rooms, corridors and public rooms have
been painted cleaned and renovated;
famous frescos have been touched up; ex-
pert art workers have gone over the more
important paintings repairing signs Of de-
cay or discoloration. and in the lower re-
gions of the Capitol kitchens have been
overhauled, miles Of air and heat ducts
painted and cleaned and thousands of dol
lars worth Of important machinery and ap-
paratus put in condition for the winter.