REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF UNITED STATES CAPITOL

BUILDING AND GROUNDS.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT

UNITED STATES CAPITOL BUILDING AND GROUNDS,

October 2, 1916.

SIR: In the last annual report of this office some importance was attached to work being done under the following subjects:

Resurfacing plaza, etc.

Reconstructing central approaches, etc.

Resurfacing terraces, etc.

At that time the proposed work and work being done under the acts named was set out with some detail, which can be referred to in the report. These subject matters can now be brought to a continuance and conclusion with brevity.

CAPITOL PLAZA.

This work is finished. The practical date of completion was July 31, 1915. In this connection I am pleased to state that by a judicious arrangement of detail of work and expenditure much more has been accomplished than was contemplated in the original estimate or provided for in the appropriation, avoiding thereby a return to Congress for additional funds. In the original estimate the grading and paving of the south roadway leading from the crest of the hill down to First Street west and the two small roadways leading from the main plaza eastward to First Street was not included. These items. were left to the future. The terms of the appropriation did not limit the amount of work to be done. We found in our rearrangements that these needed features could be included, and the work was done. To be specific, we added 17,670 yards of asphalt paving, 9,516 linear feet of brick guttering, including all new drainage therefor, and 9,516 linear feet of granite curbing taken up, redressed, and reset on new base where necessary. Summing up the total work done, which inIcludes the incidentals, we have

43,000 square yards of asphalt paving.

2,550 cubic yards of extra concrete base for same.

12,866 linear feet of curbing taken up, recut, provided with concrete base, and reset.

12,866 linear feet of vitrified-brick gutter of an average width of 18 inches, laid.

Total expenditure under the contract, $110,000.

RECONSTRUCTING CENTRAL APPROACHES.

This work has been completed, and, as suggested in the former report, was ready for service in connection with the meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic in September of last year.

The old and much-worn steps of the central portico were removed. The old foundations of rubble were taken out and replaced with new ones built of brick. Upon these were laid the new steps of Stone Mountain granite the color and texture of which is in general harmony with the central structure.

Total expenditure under the contract, $9,120.

RESURFACING TERRACES OF THE CAPITOL.

In view of the fact that this work was completed in time to give the entire surface the benefit of a fall, winter, spring, and early summer test, with most satisfactory results, I deem it advisable to repeat so much of my former report as relates to the method:

Naturally, the important part of any system of waterproofing is the quality of material and method of laying. Having acquired what was considered the best material, the exterior surface of the terrace was removed down to the large expansion joints of the breaks which naturally occur in a structure of that character. These joints having been thoroughly treated with a compound which does not crack under a change of temperature, the structural surface was brought to the level upon which was laid sheets of cotton saturated with the material, all joints being carefully ironed so as to produce a continuous sheet. Upon this surface was laid the ordinary cement pavement which finally forms the walk surface of the exterior. Another important feature of the method used is that it does away with metal flashing. The engineers will understand how important this is. As the pavement was laid expansion joints were left at certain distances, similar joints being laid along the balustrade and at all other places where flashing would have been necessary. After the work was completed the expansion joints were cleaned out thoroughly, dried, and poured with this special compound, which seems to cling to properly prepared surfaces with remarkable tenacity. The joints are not entirely filled, but sufficient space is left for filling with a weak mixture of cement-pointing material.

The total area covered by the work was 22,222 square yards. This included preparation. base, waterproofing, and concrete-finished surface. A total of 7,500 linear feet of expansion joints were installed. The total cost of the work including the above and all readjustment of interior construction, changes of plumbing, steamfitting, etc., was $83,612.98.

Under the head of special subjects little can be added to my former report on the enlargement of the Capitol Grounds. Until all of the property set forth in the act of authorization has been acquired no definite proceedings toward actual plans or work of improvement as contemplated can be taken. Such a situation is unfortunate. The special commission named by Congress to succeed the original commission and to acquire further properties under certain restrictions has done apparently all that it can do and has reported the results to Congress. There is left, however, a large area of properties not acquired, and no satisfactory judgment can be formed at present as to when such action will be taken. In the meantime all this office can do is to smooth over the acquired area, keep it in as sightly a condition as possible without waste of public money, and hope for some early action that will enable us to proceed with certainty to the end contemplated by the act of authorization. I repeat, the situation is unfortunate. The original scheme means much to the improvement of Washington, and I propose, as the supervising officer designated by law, to again approach Congress through the proper channels, asking that some steps be taken to untangle the knot of the present situation.

Columbia Hospital for Women has been completed and occupied since January of the present year. I wish to testify to the liberality of Congress in connection with this institution. No request for funds which I have made and which you have always approved has been rejected by that body. The net result is, as I am informed by competent medical authorities, that this hospital, though small, is one of the best equipped institutions of its character. The operation of Columbia Hospital at present offers opportunity for some suggestions, which I hope may be taken in good spirit by the parties interested. I am sure that all concerned have done and are doing all that can be done for the success of the hospital. It has hitherto been supported by moneys received from charity patients placed there by the District and paid out of appropriations made by Congress. Further support is given by private funds received from pay patients," so called. The general management is under control of a board, on which Congress has representation. Lately Congress has come forward with a law placing the real estate supervision in the hands of the Superintendent of the United States Capitol Building and Grounds (who supervised the construction), and, further, has provided funds for the heating, lighting, and power. Thus it appears that we have an unnecessary and anomalous situation. It seems to me that best judgment would suggest that the hospital be federalized-if I may use the term-and the whole question be referred to Congress, with the purpose in the background to have the supervision of the hospital placed under the control of the Secretary of the Interior.

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The preceding paragraph must be taken as a more or less personal observation on my part and with the hope that the Secretary may look into the subject and offer, if he chooses, any necessary suggestions to Congress.

THE CAPITOL.

General repairs and improvements to the Capitol Building and the various operative departments connected therewith have been continued during the past fiscal year. In general, they have been of domestic nature. Some restrictions as to purport and character of these have been due to the almost continuous session of Congress, in this as in prior years. In brief, the following justify mention:

CENTRAL PORTION OF THE CAPITOL.

The Supreme Court room, conference and robing rooms, clerk's office, marshal's office, law library, all toilet rooms attached, and adjacent corridors and stairways have been painted, and the skylights and roof over this section repaired. One 24-light and one 13-light crystal electric-lighting fixtures have been installed in the offices of clerk of the Supreme Court. New water supply has been installed for lavatories in the clerk's office and extended therefrom to the upper story. Four of the terrace rooms have been refloored in concrete, plastered, and painted.

SENATE WING OF THE CAPITOL.

The following rooms have been either painted, painted and decorated, or retouched, including all woodwork:

President's room, Vice President's room, Senate Chamber and cloak rooms, marble room, Senate reception room, office of the Ser

geant at Arms, rooms of the Secretary, press gallery, Official Reporter's room, the rooms of the Committees on Appropriations, Private Land Claims, Library, Pensions, Pacific Railroads, Territories, Census, Corporations, District of Columbia, Geological Survey, Finance, Military Affairs, Education and Labor, Indian Affairs, Printing, Patents, Expenditures in Navy Department, Manufactures, Minority, Privileges and Elections, Post Offices and Post Roads, Philippines, Foreign Relations, Contingent Expenses, Agriculture, and Judiciary. Also the document room, restaurant, toilet rooms, and corridors and elevator inclosures and shafts.

Four 2-light and twelve 1-light crystal electric-lighting fixtures have been placed in the Senate cloak rooms.

Changes in plumbing have been made in the room of the Senate Committee on Finance and in the Senate library and adjoining rooms. In the private toilet room of the Senate Chamber new flush tanks have been installed.

In the Senate restaurant, steam tables have been removed from the kitchen floor and installed in the main rooms above.

HOUSE WING OF THE CAPITOL.

The Hall of the House of Representatives and the adjacent cloakrooms, lobbies, and corridors have been thoroughly cleaned and the Hall and lobby retouched by painting. The painting and retouching was carried further in the rooms of the House Committees on Labor, Enrolled Bills, Accounts, Ways and Means, Invalid Pensions, Indian Affairs, Printing, to the Speaker's private room, Official Reporters' rooms, index room, room used by the House pages, rooms of the House press gallery, House restaurant and kitchen, and Members' barber shop. Toilet rooms and elevator shafts were also painted.

The following electric lighting fixtures have been installed: One 4-light basin bowl electrolier in the minority room of the House, one 12-light electric chandelier in the Committee on Accounts of the House, four 12-light electric chandeliers in the Committee on Indian Affairs of the House.

The Members' toilet room has been overhauled and new seats, flushing tanks, and piping put in. Three new fixtures have been installed. New fixtures were placed in the toilet room connected with the press gallery, and new washstands erected in the office of the enrolling clerk. The Members' toilet room in the old library space has been remodeled by furnishing a new water supply and installing eight new fixtures. In the public toilet room eight new flushing tanks with all necessary connections have replaced the old and similar fixtures. Six new toilet fixtures have been installed in the sub-basement.

GENERAL.

Incidental to the annual overhauling and repair of the heating, lighting, and ventilating apparatus throughout the building, and which has, during the past fiscal year, together with its operatives, rendered excellent and efficient service under sometimes trying conditions, I desire to mention the extension of the steam-heating sys tems, particularly in the Senate wing; the renewal of cables and machinery parts connected with the elevator service; the care and

repair of the power motors, of which there are a large number; and the multitude of minor repairs. All of these have been attended to by the department employees, and, in large measure, repair parts have been made in our own shops.

CAPITOL POWER PLANT.

This plant has continued in successful and efficient operation and without interruption during the past fiscal year. The advantage of a trained operating force has been shown by the economy in repairs made. The so-called depreciation factor is smaller than normally expected. Unobtrusive in one sense, it is in another the very vitals of the domestic occupation of the Capitol, the Senate and House Office Buildings, and in considerable degree the Congressional Library Building.

CAPITOL GROUNDS.

Under this head the lawns-outside and court-of the Senate and House Office Buildings are included. The general upkeep, condition, and growth of trees and shrubs during the past year may be stated as satisfactory. Work on decaying trees has in some measure been continued, as well as necessary seeding and sodding. The trees have been successfully sprayed, preventing the propagation of destructive insects. The walks have been kept in repair and the edge curbing kept free of overhanging grass. Considerable planting has been done and special attention given to the clumps of shrubbery adjacent to the terrace walls. The appearance of these latter shows marked improvement during the past year.

Many ornamental iron fenders at the intersection of walks and roadways have been repaired, reset, and painted. The structure known as the grotto has been supplied with new arrangements for drinking purposes.

The work of waterproofing the terraces included the plant cases thereon. After that work was completed the cases were replanted. At the same time the large ornamental bronze fountains at the east of the building were waterproofed. Later on these will be filled with suitable shrubs for the winter months.

ENGINE HOUSE, SENATE AND HOUSE STABLES.

Engine house No. 3 has received new floors for the stalls. The interior has been overhauled and painted where necessary. Repairs to the roof of the engine house and stables have been made. In the stable proper, the old stalls, no longer in use, were removed and a new floor of concrete laid making that portion suitable for use as a garage. A new steam-heating system-boiler and piping of sufficient capacity to take care of all buildings-was installed.

The floor of the House stable has been renewed in concrete, the stalls and roof repaired, new doors, new locks, and gas fixtures put. in and the interior of building and sheds whitewashed.

COURTHOUSE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

A large number of the usual and ordinary repairs to this building have been made, including repairs to window frames and sash,