Evening star., 1914-01-11
STORAGE REPAIR BUILDING coNsTRUc-
APPROPRIATION
WHICH ARMY WOULD

the stock to Blue Plains, he has adopted
money-saving devices that have enabled
the execution Of his building program in
the absence of appropriations for the
purpose.
When Mr.. Fay, six years ago. looked
over the big reservation, south of the
capital. on the Potomac river, where
three hundred or more Of Washington's
aged and infirm are cared for, his first
discovery was that, outside of the dor.ni-
tories the only equipment consisted OF
disreputable frame building used as
stable.
Here was important work to be done
and the new superintendent lost no time
in preparing to do 1t. Municipal Archf-
tect Ashford was consulted ana soon
there was enough material on hand with
which to begin construction Of build
ing for the storage of potatoes and
other produce.
There was urgent need of this building
in view Of the fact that 1t had been neces-
sary to store a great deal Of produce in
the wards. AS soon as 1t was completed
Mr. Fay and Clarence Herrell, his fore
man of construction, replenished the
stockyard and then set to work to pro-
vide piggery and a chicken house. Con-
gress in the meantime having been ask
ed for an appropriation with which to
build stable.
Without funds other than an amount
sufficient to buy cement and using the
regular farm laborers. they soon had
completed a modern cement piggery of
capacity for 125 animals Every part
of the building, including the floors.
partitions. troughs and chutes. is con-
structed of cement, with the exception
of the roof. which is built of other
materials. Installed in the building.
which is 100 feet long and 80 feet wide,
is a. steam boiler and steel tank in
which all food is sterilized and cooked
and in which the slaughtered animals
are cleaned at killing time. Each pen
is supplied with fresh water direct
from pumps, while waste water is car
ried off in sewers. Not much money.
but considerable quantities Of cement
sand, gravel, grit and "gumption" were
required in the construction of this
building.
The chicken house is 100 feet long
and Is feet wide, with a four-foot hall
way along its entire front. 1t is divided
into. five compartments each contain
ing a scratch pen. while the partitions
are solid for a height of three feet
with netting above, thus preventing
drafts of air striking the fowls on the
floor The house is framed of wood
and covered with an external cement
finish.
While these improvements were being
made Congress provided an appropriation
of 81, 500 for a much-needed dairy barn.
Mr.. Fay decided that the institution
should have a first-class barn, one cost
ing not less than sS.O0O and had plans
prepared accordingly. AS in the case
of the previous operations, the lumber
yard was called upon and was not found
wanting. A concrete and frame structure.
100 feet in length and representing a
value Of more than three times the
amount appropriated for it, thus became
the fourth building added to the sub
sistence department of the institution.
Il x
Congress next authorized an expendi-
ture of $1,000 for a stable, and again it
was determined to put up a building
worth 5000 or more Using old materials
and cement Mr.. Fay and his assist
ants went to work and had the satisfac-
ton Of seeing their plans materialize
without a hitch. About fifty windows.
doors and openings furnish a flood of
100 feet. The basement has ten-foot CELL
gers and feed boxes, and contains four box
and seventeen regular stalls. The main
floor contains a harness room, carriage
room and other space, while ON the floor
above there is room for seventy-five tons
Of hay, which may be passed to the base
ment through chutes.
Another building now in course of con-
struction. which is known as the tool
house. will, upon its completion. repre-
sent a value of $1,000. For this I'M