Evening star., 1923-09-30

Coincident with the formal open
ing of the handsome new branch at
Dupont Circle, the new and greatly
enlarged parent institution of Riggs
National Bank, complete to the last
detail, will be opened to the public
tomorrow morning. Every inch OF
the big building is marble, concrete
and steel construction. thus making
it absolutely fireproof. The most
modern development of heating. venti-
lation, lighting and protection are
also embodied in the completed
structure.
The greatly enlarged first floor is
of the island type of design. TWO
large lobbies are constructed TO give
p the most liberal space TO the great
est p>essure contacts. Only the de-
into daily use and constant use for
transactions with customers are
located to face these Hobbies. The
officers quarters, opening on the
larger lobby at the east side of the
bank, blend ready accessibility with
the degree of privacy necessary for
confidential conferences The pay
ing, receiving and note departments
the securities and foreign exchange
departments and the new accounts
department are located in the central
lobby. A woman's department, with
separate lobby, offers every possible
convenience. This adjoins the west
ern lobby, where are to be found the
savings and collection departments.
Mammoth New Vaults.
In the rear of the main floor is To-
Gated the mammoth new vault uti-
lized exclusively for the banks own
cash, securities and collateral. This
vault is one of the most modern de-
signs of drill proof non -burnable
concrete and steel construction. cleo
trically protected. The same is true
of the elaborate new safe deposit
vaults in the basement. which will be
opened tomorrow. Special booths,
where the banks patrons may handle
their securities, are located adjacent
to these vaults. This department is
connected with the main floor lobby
by spacious stairway and elevator.
On a balcony in the front of the
building is located the banks trust
department, which is connected with
the main floor and safe deposit vaults
by elevator.
The roof of the new west addition
is designed to provide open air recre-
alton for employees during their lunch
hours. Immediately below are found
the private luncheon rooms and
kitchenette for bank employees, and
adjoining these the files department
for records. The floor below provides
a modern mailing department, transit
rooms. On the next floor is to
be found the directors handsome
room. paneled in carved oak. Ada
cent to this is a cloak room for di-
rectorS. The balance of the floor is
given over to the large proof and
clearing department. The entire floor
below. overlooking the central lobby,
is utilized for the corporation and in
dividual bookkeeping departments,
including the coupon and registration
SoundproOf Cork Floors.
The Hobbies of the bank and coun-
ter screens are of marble and bronze.
Back of the counters and on all floors
above are soundproof cork tile. and
the ceilings and walls of all depart
mentS are constructed of sounddead
ening material.
The completed structure is the re-
suit of an exhaustive study of the
biggest bank types in the east and
middle west by Robert V. Fleming,
vice president and cashier of the in
stitution, accompanied by the banks
architect, and represents q tremen-
Sdous cash outlay. The actual WORK
of construction was intrusted 70 the
George A. Fuller Company which
operated night and day for more than
a year to complete the big under
taking at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
The Riggs National Bank now mas
in full operation, besides IT'S home
office described above, four convenient
offices, located at 14th street and Park
road, 7th and L streets northwest,
18th street and Columbia road and at
Dupont Circle.
The new Dupont Circle office was
designed and built by George ". Raw,
architect, and the Charles II. Tomp-
kins Company, under the supervision
of a building committee headed by
Robert V. Fleming.