Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-31

lie lnspcc-
Drrow.
5Rs ON HAND
ST Imposing Design.
of Grccinn Type OF
cor I" Massive
sA Tons.
servc Bank. OF Rich
King hero Of which
limitation Of spirited
fight between ;his
vmore. both OF which
onor. will on tomorrow
rs doors for the inspec-
public. Several years
Ne Federal reserve sys-
lace twelve of the prin-
val points of the country
ftcd, Richmond and Balt;-
made n bid for the institu-
we as headquarters of the
ueral Reserve District en-
Virginia. North Carolina.
Iginia. Maryland and the
Columbia. Decision as TO
p6f the bank depended largely.
entirely, the amount OF
earrings OF the two cities. the
Is of the Richmond territory
ydtstripping those Of it's COM
is neighbor.
officers and employees of the insti-
BSSS fon mofed into the commodious
HN home Saturday week ago. the
&8&2nk being opened for the transa,-
tion OF business last Monday. Aside
IYssfrom few minor details IN the main
~ building, which faces Ninth Street
thc structures are in finished statS
hhe two buildings, including ;he
Es2nneN, which connects in the rear
%With the main building. will he open
3ssfor the inspection OF the public be.
t&fss tween the hours OF and G.3O l.. NJ
and Wednesday. No spo-
escial invitations have been issued. nU;
SfssEali who arc interested in viewing the
ssyysshank and It's equipment will be shown
tt5sssthrouGh the institution. Directors
n6SEG the bank from the different Soc
EHSPons of the district Will he present
N5sSSs or Imposing Design.
49, The main building is of imposing
sElsSdesign. the exterior being of tic
3H&Sirccian type of architecture. sucgcs-
st5ssg{ttYe Of the great mausolcum at HALF
3sslscarnassus. y colonnade Of Ionic
EpSCmns is placed above high and
Efi'nplc base. Light requirements
sSfivc been maintained by Introducing
STcrc-s story windows for the central
ISjf pace and additional windows for the
krojoctins side aislcs The granite
ase and the broad carved bank just
l0lbovc offset the effect OF the sloping
line Of the sidewalk and form n level
base ON which tho building proper
- rests. Two carved marble pcdcstals
d; later will bc placed on either side
OF the main entrance. The sixth story
80 was not part OF the original design,
as bu, was added later 10 meet the in
Ssst creased requirements of the bank.
~ The exterior il of Indiana lime
81; Is stone. which lends itself satistactor-
- r-t-sna building ot this character.
Tho baNking- room is entered from an
Simple 4esrisstcs'e., the floor of which
Piss below the hrSt>t!obr level. To- the
Ei4Eaeft is located the governors Office
on the right, that OF the Federal .
Preserve agent. Currency room, liss'
33tSgs brary, stairway and elevators are
g&Stssat the rear. The greater portion OF
first floor is occupied by the
ssT9Syf banking room. which is seventy three
". 6et deep, ciGhty-two feet wide and
ALPHABETICALLY TWO stories high. Tho
&walIs are of Indiana limestone from
#SHuor TO ceiling. the clcrc-stury walls
kF8being supported by massive Dor!c
s5 columns OF pink Tennessee marble
sE The ceiling is AN adaptation Of he
yafa naisSancc design.
|R8 Absence OF Screen and rartitinn,.
fSSS Absence of the usual banking
ssSyNM screen and partitioncd offices on IN.
81 banking floor is Immediately noticed.
Ea One is impressed with Il feeling of
rs openncss and ample. space: oniccs
l5s OF the bank onicials' and, 'thcir as
g. s!stants are located back OF the cot
sS umns separated by low marble rails
IA and in an island" in the center of
~ the room Simplicity, strength, dura-
81 biiity and adaptability are character
81 istic throughout the building and
81 equipment.
Il The vault was designed by the itol-
NJ lar Co, vault engineers. of Philadcl-
! phia, who pronounce il the strongest
bank vault in the country IT was
v built by the pLebGld s1fe ana Lock
"a the iIollar Go. 1t is three sto-
81 ries high ana tho main door TO
v the vault is seven feet, nine inches
& in diameter and twcnty-nine inches
81 thick The door, with its surround
81 ing frame, weighs sixty-threc and
y one-half tons
B On the top Moor OF tho main build
r ing is located restaurant for bank
officials ana employees. Both Police
and Fire Departments can bc in
stantiy summoned IN case OF cncr-
gene from al! important points
4 throughout The buildings
a hospital or first-aid room Is pro-
S.<-Sidcd IN eases Of sickness "r acci-
The annex, work on which was
8star.ed January 1921. much sim
Hpler iu design than tn" main hu!ld-
Eng and is without any sucyial ar
Architectural features II IS devoted
Wntirciy TO the working force OF the
hank, The officers and eNccutiv" force
einG located In the main building
luilf l, CurIyIi X IptfIl-i