Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12

or twice the cost of the State, War and Navy
Building
The State, War and Navy Building is said
to be the only house in the World whose entire
exterior is made of granite. Its walls, col1nns
and all outside stonework are Of this lovely
hand-hewn gray stone The granite of all the
front walls above the basement story cana
from the Green Quarry on the right bank Of
the James River. about miles above Rich
mond Va. All the exterior walls and stone
work came from Maine.
This granite edifice covers a rectangular plot
of ground 342 feet wide and SOS feet long The
two courtyardS and the surrounding pave
mentS cover two acres of ground. The entire
ground space is almost acres and the floor
space is more than 10 acres. It has seven
Stories counting the basement and sub-base-
ment Each of the four outer wings is sur
mounted by pavilion. which flies the Stars
and Stripes. The flag pole on the south pa
vilion has been struck by lightning four
times. On the east pavilion Is a steel time
ball, which is raised just before noon on a 81
foot pole. At exactly IL o'clock the ball drops
1t is regulated by an electrical connection With
the Naval Observatory. This ball has been in
operation since the east wing was completed and
even to this day it Is object of great interest
to visitors.
The foundations, which are made of American
natural hydraulic cement, firm and solid.
The outer walls are almost feet thick and
the Virginia granite is backed up with brick
masonry. The roof, trimmings and chimneys
entirely of iron. The roof covering is of
copper. This copper roof, which covers an area
of one-third of an acre, requires the constant
care of one workman to keep the copper tight.
In the year 1898. &c leaks were patched and
soldered. The mansards are slated on iron
purlins and filled between the beams with con-
crete and brick. All the door and window
frames trimmings and baseboards are of cask
iron.
At the time the building was designed it Vs.
customary to have large windows Mr. Mullett
however, thought it was much better to have
many small win4ows which would distribute
the light rays more evenly over the clerks
desks. So he put in 1872 small windows
While the majority of the windows are of the
same size, each floor has its distinctive outer
design. The masonry above the windows of the
first floor have the appearance of a gabled roof
those OF the second floor are arched and the
third floor windows are topped with horizontal
slabs. Admiral G. w. Baird, who was supt.r-
intendent of the building during the gay nine-
ties. was very proud of these windows He in
sisted that all window shades be of the same
color, and each day at the close of the Office.
these shades must be placed at exactly half
height to insure uniformity of outward appear
ance. This ruling is still enforced.
HE condition of the interior of the building
is a good indication of the solidity of the
structure There has never been a crack in
the walls, nor any sagging nor warping any
place. Floors made Of brick arching on iron
beams and leveled with concrete cannot sag
and neither can sound creep through them.
All the woodwork in the building Is in the
window SaSheS, doors and the floor covering of
Continued on Sepenth Paoe