The Washington times., 1913-10-11
FINE VAULTS ARE
OF GREAT INTEREST
Estimated Cost of Erection,
With Novel Appliances, Ex-
pected to Be $4,000.

Construction work on five vaults In
the new building of the Bureau and
Engraving and Printing are providing
one of the main features of interest 10
professional iron and steel workers en-
ployed on the structure in Fourteenth
street southwest
The huge neT vaults now in course
OF erection embody some of the most
novel and improved safety appliances
known
Their estimated cost of erection, it
Is said. will be. about $4,000.
The vault designed 10 be used for the
keeping of miscellaneous currency and
the Treasurer's vault will have walls
OF steel lining REINFORCED with concrete
walls two feet thick, further fortified
with steel bars.
VaIllt protection wire will form net
work of siX-inch squares outsides of all
the vaults and these will be heavily
charged with electricity. foreboding i'll
to the miscreant who might attempt to
cut the wires TO enter the vaults.
Series of Mirrors.
A series of mirrors will be so ar
ranged that they will reflect the circuit
Of the vaults to the guardsman on duty.
At each corner of the huge square upon
which the vaults stand, a mirror will
he placed facing at an angle of fort
five degrees, making possible series
of reflections that would enable a Suar'l
to see his own reflection all around the
entire vault and enabling him to sui
Prise a probable burglar who would at
tempt to enter from any side.
Similar placing of mirrors will be
made on the surrounding floor space,
and on the ceilings above the vaults.
Bored channels through the concrete
flooring have been made in order that
mirrors may be located on the floors
10 turn at an angle TO reflect any pos
sible attempt to effect an entry from
beneath the vaults.
OF special significance in the con-
struction Is the connection which will
be effected by electric current by the
network of protection wire with the
Police Department, and all parts of
the building where guards will be sta
toned. Should any attempt be made
to enter by cutting the outer wires a
general alarm would be sounded by
electric communication.
The largest of the vaults will be
the vault designed for the storing of
engraving plates II Is located in the
basement of the north court in the main
building between the third and fourth
wings. as arranged from the south end
of the building. Ii measures 30 by 100
feet In floor space and is twenty feet
high.
Vault for Stamps.
The postage stamp vault. located near
the east end of the second wing base
ment, measures forty-fiVe by fifty feet
floor space and is eighteen feet high.
The internal revenue stamp vault,
located in the basement of the main
building. just off the third wing. meas
ures forty-five by fifty-six feet, and is
eighteen feet high.
The vault 10 be used for the keeping
OF miscellaneous currency VIII be To-
Gated in the basement of the main floor
just off the second wing from the south
ern exposure of the building. 1t Is TWEEN
ty-seven feet front. thirty-seven feet
depth. and eighteen feet in height
On the second floor will be installed
the treasurer vault where bullion will
be deposited. II measures TWENTY-FIVE
feet by forty-seven by seventeen feet.
Complete Next Year.
With the completion of the new struC-
ture. the vaults will be placed. fortified
and wired 1t is expected that the
whole will be completed by the first Of
next year.
All the most modern safety time locks
will be adjusted To the vaults and II is
said that the general scheme OF tn"
future OUTLAY will not be surpassed by
that of any vaults in the country. as
fheir plan has been improved from a
close study by experts OF safely deposit
vaults IN the most modern banks in the
nited States.
p. +. Gormley Company. contractors
Of this city. are in charge of the con-
sirilction