Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-09-11
Rock Will Cost
$2,7S3,0O0
For Extension
BY GEORGE BEvERIDGE
Star star Writer ~

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Of the contract with the Geor-
gia Marble Co., of Tate, Ca,
and said the "quarrying of
marble viii begin Immediately"
First deliveries of the marble
are expected here by next
March /, and officials reiterated
hopes that the entire job will
be completed by December.
1960-in time for the next pre-
Sidential Inauguration cere-
mony the following month.
The Georgia marble, which
will harmonic with the mar
BILE facings Of the House and
Senate wings, will be used to
reproduce each detail Of the
present East front in the new
321a-foot extension. The pres
emit front is composed Of soft,
painted sandstone, which al
ready has suffered considerable
deterioration.
I'd Firm WithdrawS
While Georgia Marble Co.
submitted o bid on the job. the
$2.7 million contract was nego-
tiated, officials said, because Q
second marble company with
drew from the bidding.
Bids were solicited from only
two marble producers-Georgia
Marble and Vermont Marble
Co., because it was felt that
these were the only producers
in the country capable Of fur
nishing the type marble de-
sired in the quantities needed.
officials said. Marble from
either of the two firms was
satisfactory to a House-Senate
commission in charge of the
project and to architectural
consultants on the job.
officials said the Vermont
company, however. found that
''it could not guarantee within
any reasonable time that it
could furnish the "a mono
lithic columns (cut from sim
gle pieces of marble) required
for the new East front portico.
Schedules Being Prepared
Exact schedules for the de-
liveries of marble here are still
being worked out.
Oficials said, however, that
fabrication" Finishing work
on the rough-quarried stones)
would begin no later than next
February.
The marble contract is the
second of several to be issued
in connection with extension.
About two weeks ago, a giant
scaffolding was erected over
the front. Its major purpose
was to give marble workers a
chance to make measurements.
molds and copies of the Ella
borate ornamentation.
BY the middle Of next
month, Mr.. Stewart expects to
issue a third contract for the
removal of the present central
portico, with its huge sand
stone columns and granite
steps. No decision has been
made on the eventual DISPOSE
ton of the portico or columns:
but various proposals for their
preservation are being studied.
officials said.
The complete removal Of the
portico will be finished by Feb
ruary /. The original fiat walls
of the present front will not
be removed but will serve as
interior walls of the extension.
4th Contract
A fourth East front contract.
calling for granite for the base
of the extension, will be let by
December Is, with granite de-
liverieS between June and Au.
gust of next year.
At about the same time, an
other contract will be let for
excavation and construction Of
the foundation up to grade
level. This work is to be fin
ished by next June IS.
Target date for work on the
superstructure. under a final
contract, next June Is, with
completion of the entire project
scheduled for December, 1860.
Among a number of related
projects that will be carried
out this year is relocation Of
the present Senate restaurant
kitchen, located in the base
ment near the East front wall.
Total cost of the East front
extension is SOL million, which
will be spent out of a fund Of
SIT million already appropri-
ated to the special House.
Senate commission. other
projects, to be carried out cur
rently with the extension and
financed from this fund, in
clude:
/. Extensive overhaul Of the
Capitol's lighting and electrical
system, estimated to cost So
million.
2. A careful examination Of
the Capitol dome, and correc-
ton of any deficiencies found.
For this. 100000 has been set
aside.
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