Evening star., 1917-03-04
CAPITALS APPEAL
ISA VARIED ONE
Washington Has Many Nota-
BILE Buildings to Attract
Inaugural Visitors.
OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

OF HISTORICAL INTEREST
The thousands of inaugural visitors
who are now in Washington for the
inaugural celebration are thronging the
public buildings and institutions. There
is such a wealth of valua BILE informa-
tion and so many places of interest In
the capital that thousands of others
are interested in knowing something
about the government establishments.
SO that, as they have not time to visit
all of them, they may select those in
which they are most interested.
As the visitor emerges from the
beautiful Union station. his attention
is first directed to the United States
Capitol. but few blocks to the south.
This massive range of buildings on
Capitol Hill. including the Senate
chamber, House of Representatives.
Supreme Court. Statuary Hall and the
dome, covers nearly four acres. Its
cost. including the land. was about
$4,000. 900, and was seventy-four years
in process of construction. The great
cast-iron dome. weighing $500 tons,
and costing s1.OO0.0oO. required eight
years in its construction. The bronze
statue of Armed Liberty, surmounting
the dome. is I? feet 6 inches high. and
cost over $4,000.
To the north, nearest Union station.
is the Senate wing of the Capitol The
Senate chamber is located in the CEN
ter of this building. The cast-iron
ceiling. paneled with stained glass,
bears the coat-of-arms of each state.
\ gallery surrounding the hall accom-
modates a thousand persons.
Senate Chamber Galleries.
Here are located the reporters. diplo-
matte corps and senator's families, pri-
vate galleries. The senator's desks are
arranged in semi-circular rows. the
democrats sitting on the right and the
republicans on the left of the Vice
President. who presides. The Presi-
dents room, that of the Vice President
and the marble room are opposite the
corridor from the Senate chamber.
These Sumptuously furnished and mag
nihcently finished rooms defy descrip-
ton.
Adjoining the new Senate wing by a
corridor is the old Senate chamber
now used by the Supreme Court of the
United States. To the south comes the
great awe-inspiring rotunda. 300 feet
in circumference and more than $50
feet in height, adorned with marvellous
life-size paintings and beautiful statu-
ary. Through another corridor and
the old Hall of Representatives. now
Statuary Hall. presents itself In this
hall each state may contribute bronze
or marble statues of two of her most
illustrious soldiers or statesmen.
The south wing of the Capitol. adj
joining Statuary Hall, is entirely oc-
cupied by the House of Representa-
tives. the luxurious Speakers room and
many committee rooms. Its general
arrangement corresponds quite closely
to the Senate chamber, but of larger
proportions, the galleries accommodate
ing 1000 people.
To the southeast of the House of
Congress, about one block, is the beau
tiful new office building for repre-
sentatives. In corresponding posi-
tion, to the northeast of the Senate,
and connected with it by a subway, is
an Office building of like design for
senators.
The best example of exclusive Ameri-
can art in Washington is the Library
of Congress, situated just east of the
Capitol. Built primarily for congress-
men. this great storehouse Of valuable
books and works of art is used more
freely by the people than any library
in the world. Its interior is the most
inspiring and marvellous combination
of gold, silver. rare marbles and mo-
sale on such a gigantic scale to be
found in America.
Uncle Sans Strong Box.
The Treasury building, just east of
the Write House. is in every way the
most substantially built government
building. 1t is 45o feet long. $50 feet wide
and was completed in 1867, at a cost
of 81, 900, 900. When built it was thought
ample for all times. but even today
it will hardly accommodate one-half of
the Treasury employees. From a small
beginning in 1875, when the Continen-
tai Congress appointed two joint treas
urers of the United Colonies. each at a
salary the first year of $500, has grown
this present wonderful financial or
ganization, the solidity of which sus-
tains our pre-eminence as the greatest
world power.
An important adjunct to and under
the direction of the Treasury. is the
Sureau of engraving and printing. The
new building. just completed. is the
finest workshop in the world. The
great care exercised in preventing
counterfeiting and theft is a long story
in itself Over s1.000.000 of paper money
is turned out every working day from
this establishment.
The patent office. very important
branch under the Interior Department.
is one of the oldest government build
ings in Washington. Its Doric archi-
lecture gives it strong yet simple ap-
pesrance. Since the days of Thomas
jefferson, when lie conducted the du-
ties Of state ar>l also patent examiner,
fd's very important department has
grown 10 over 1000 employees and more
tHad 5t1 patents are granted each
week. The parent Office is the only self
supporting bureau of the government
Largest Brick Building.
The pension ottice<is reputed to be the
largest brick building under one roof
A distinctive feature which encircles
the building is the terracotta frieze
over the first-story windows, portray
ing a spirited procession of soldiers, in
fantry. cavalry and artillery Its in
terror consists of an immense court
broken by two rows of columns which
support the great roof. Galleries lead
from the court to the numerous Offices
The grand inaugural ball for years was
held In this building, where fully $4,000
people have assembled.
The immense granite State, War and