The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-07-27
MORE ABOUT
VACATION TRIP
(COs,tinued From Page Il

which radiate broad avenues, many
of which are completely arched by
trees for almost their whole length.
Situated on small hill, the $14,-
100000 Capitol is by far the most
impressive public building in Wash
ington. Especially on rainy night
the well-lighted dome of the Capitol
was most attractive as saw it re-
flecting in the wet pavement, and
because of it's location the towering
white dome can be seen from any
section of the city. There are enough
attractions within the Capitol alone
to make visit to Washington
worthwhile Near the entrance one
finds himself in the rotunda with
the valuted canopy of the great
dome 100 feet overhead. Around the
walls of the rotunda are eight
large paintings by American artists.
Four of them depict events in early
American history and the other
four are the work of Col. John
Trumbull, aide-de-camp to General
Washington, portraying Revolutions
airy War subjects. Statuary Hall is
very interesting with its fine col
lection of statues of illustrious Am
erican and historic persons, and
the Hall also has peculiar acoustic
properties. Each state is allowed
two statues, but so far Washington
has not contributed to the collection.
On the tour we were allowed a
three minute visit in the Hall Of
representatives. The Democrats
are seated to the right and the Re
publicans to the left Of the speaker.
Representative Rankin of Mississ-
ippi was speaking when I listened
in. Senator Taft of Ohio was speak
ing in the Senate chamber, the sub
ject being something concerning the
much talked about American dol
lar. We were in the Senate cham
Der for a limited time also.
The Library Of Congress, located
just east Of the Capitol IS another
most interesting building. Aside
from its fine Italian architecture, it
contains some rare treasures Of AM
erican history. Its 100000 volumes
occupy over fifty miles of shelves
and the nucleus Of this fine collec-
ton of books was the personal IL
brary of Thomas jefferson. Located
on the galleries are innumerable
priceless documents, including the
original of the Declaration Of In
dependence, the Constitution Of the
United States, the original Guten-
burg Bible, manuscripts Of various
countries, and many other historic
documents. Words and pictures do
not do justice in describing this
building. 81
Although we did not see much Of
the White House it seemed quite
fascinating to visit the place where
every President of the nation, ex-
cepting the first, has lived, and
where many epoch-making events
took place. We saw the famous East
Room with it's most elaborate chan
deliers, famous paintings, hangings
and furnishings. One of the other
rooms contained collection Of
chinaware belonging to the various
Presidents and families.
Being interested in the printing
business I made a special effort to
visit the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing. This building is known
as the worlds largest engraving
plant. In it are designed, printed
and finished all the paper moneys,
stamps and securities of the. gov
eminent. There are specially con-
structed galleries on each floor,
from which visitors may view the
process of making the governments
paper money and postage stamps.
There are 5000 trained employees
who work in two eight-hour shifts.
The daily output is around 100000
600 and the highest denomination
stamp is $500. The largest gold note
ever issued which is 100000 with
Woodrow Wilson'S picture on it, is
on display along with many other
notes of different denominations.
also visited the Pan American
Union building while on my tour
which is also very interesting with
its open court near the entrance
where there is located imported
trees, rare birds and statutes. An
other beautiful building which is
made entirely of marble is the Su-
preme Court building.
I received a wonderful view of the
capital grounds and the whole io1
Washington from the great Wash
idgton Monument. The shaft of this
monument is the tallest work Of
masonry in the world, reaching q
height of SIS feet 51s inches AL
though the cornerstone was laid ir
1848 the monument did not reach
completion until 1884. The monu-
ment is more than tall memoria
and is said to be so great and still
so simple that it seems almost 8
work of nature.
Another interesting place I visit.
ed on my trip was Salt Lake City
Utah. I took a tour in the morning