Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-18

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north wing was finished in 1900 and
the south wing In 1911. A wooden
passageWay connected them.
British Set Fire to Building.
On the 24th OF August, 1914, the. in
terror OF both wings was destroyed by
fire set by the British. The damage TO-
the building was iinmediately res
paired. In 1918 the central portion
OF the building was commenced. under
the architectural superintendent OF
Charles Bulfinch. The original build
ing was finally completed In 1927. It's
cost. including the grading OF the
grounds, alterations and repairs, up
to 1927, was $2.43S, S44.13.
The corner stone Of the extensions
was laid on the 4th of July, 1851, by
President Fillmore, Daniel Webster Of
floating as orator. This work was
prosecuted under the architectural di-
rection Of Thomas u. Walter till 1865,
when he resigned, and 1t was COM
pieted under the supervision Of
the walls IL white marble from the
Quarries at Lee. Mass. and that In the
columns from the Quarries Coclkeys-
Vile, Md. The House extension was
first occupied for legislative purposes
December 16. 1867. and the Senate
January 4, 1859.
The value Of the Capitol Building
and grounds, October IL, 1911, was as
follows: Building, SIS ,OO0, 900; grounds,
$40, 400, 900: total, 125, 400. 900.
The dome Of the original central
building was constructed OF wood,
covered with copper. This was re-
placed I'm 1855 by the present struc-
ture Of cast iron. It was completed in
1865. The entire weight OF iron used
is s,909,20O pounds.
Crowned by Statue.
The dome is crowned by j bronze
statue OF Freedom, which Is 10 feet 6
inches high and weighs 1885 pounds.
II. was modelled by Crawford. The
height Of the dome above the base line,
of the east front Is 267 feet 5 inches.
The height from the top or the balus-
trade of the building Is 217 feet IL
inches. The greatest diameter at the
base is 1856 feet inches.
The rotunda is 81 feet inches In
diameter, and its height from the floor
to the top Of the canopy IL $50 feet 8
inches.
The Senate chamber Is 113 feet 8
inches in length by 80 feet 8 inches in
width and 30 feet In height. The gal
leries will accommodate 1000 persons.
The Representatives hall Is 139 feet
in length by 90 feet In width and 36
feet in height.
The room now occupied by the Su-
prefne Court was, until 1859, occupied
as the Senate chamber. Previous 20
that time the court occupied the room
Immediately beneath, now used as o.
law library.
In his report az architect Of the
Capitol extension. dated November i,
1864. Mr.. Walter stated: #.5
Foresaw Need Of Extension.
NJ Nov that the new dome and the
wings Of the Capitol are approaching
completion, It must be apparent to
every one that the extension Of the
center building, on the east TO the
line OF the new wings becomes an
architectural necessity. have there
fore prepared plans fol. thus cornplet-
ing the work In harmony with what
has already been done, and win place
them In the Capitol Tor future
reference.
II do not suppose, nor would ii
recommend, that any action be taken
by Congress, In reference to such an
Improvement, until the war Fl ended
and the financial condition Of the
country becomes settled and prosper
Gus; but inasmuch as & - my ptlrp06e
to retire from these works as soon an
the dorne Is finished, deem IL in.
.cuinbent upon me TO leave upon record
my views as TO their final cOnpl etiola.
Under law passed BY Congress In
1901, the late Elliott Wood, then