The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-14

people who visit the capitol at
Warrington realise the immense
amount Of work involved in the up
keep Of the building and grounds.
More than 800 people are constant
ly employed to keep 1t In proper
condition. Between the sessions Of
congress the building Is thoroughly
gone over and such alterations
made 10 have been suggested dur
ing the busy season.
For instance. during the last SEES
sion, members Of both houses COM
planned about the color scheme In
the house and senate chambers.
They claimed that the dark tints
had Z depressing effect on their
minds, SO It was decided to redeco-
rate the rooms In lighter shade.
Superintendent Elliott Woods and
his stan are now experimenting
with various shades to find some
thing which will be lighter, yet
preserve the dignified tone which
has always marked the halls of
congress.
The acoustic effect Of the su-
preme> court room, which was for
merry occupied by the senate, be-
fore the second wing was added to
the building, has always been poor.
So this year the chamber has been
virtually reconstructed to remedy
this difficulty.
Two artists are at work in the
senate corridor retouching the
paintings and frescoes, while on
the house side extensive repairs
are being made to the floor in the
corridor. Owing to the large mem
bership in that body, and the great
er amount of trafflc, it has been
found that the floors on that side
wear out much faster than in the
senate wing.
The House Members Walk.
The two Office buildings in which
the members of both houses have
their offices, are being thoroughly
gone over. Between the capitol and
the office buildings are two sub
ways. In the senate wing there Ii
a little electric railway, for which
an additional car has just been or
dered. The house members, being
younger as a rule, decided thai
they did not need one, so they
walk from the capitol to their Of.
, fees. The elevators in all three
buildings are being thoroughly
gone over. The Offices of senators
and representatives are being gen
orally cleaned. and decorated in
accordance with the wishes Of the
various occupants.
OF course the buildings are clean
ed every day, or rather every nigh
after the adjournment Of the two
houses, but the general work o.
overhauling is done when congress:
is not, in session.
The statues in Statuary hall are
thoroughly washed with soap ant
water. Just before congress con.
venes, the Washington fire depart
ment is sent for and the hose
turned on the outside of the build
ing.
4 Originally, the capitol was BULL
of brown sandstone, but after
being burnt by the British in 1914
the walls were painted white. The
exterior of the building is repaifft.
ed every three years, at which time
a scaffolding is erected around the
statue which crowns the dome, ant
it is given a thorough washing
with soap and water. At one tim'
a rumor was started that the statue
was to be painted A resolution
was Introduced in the senate order
ing the work stopped. Much con
lecture has been INDUCED in as tt
what it represents. Some claim i
is an Indian, others an allegorica
figure of Columbia According tt
Superintendent Woods, who is il
charge of the building, it repre-
sents freedom.
Three Hundred Employees.
Down in one Of the sub-base
ments Of the building, out of sigh