REPORT OF THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL EXTENSION ARCHITECT'S OFFICE, UNITED STATES CAPITOL, Washington, D. C., November 1, 1866. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report relating to the public. buildings in your department, under my charge, showing their progress since the date of the last annual report from this office, November 1, 1865, and to make some suggestions for the continuance of these works for the next year. CAPITOL EXTENSION. The northern and western porticoes of the north wing have been completed, and it is expected that the columns of the southern portico will be set by the meeting of Congress. It is hoped that all the porticoes will be finished next season. The exterior of the marble-work is being cleaned and properly painted, and a marble balustrade is being added to all the finished porticoes. There have been received nineteen columns, leaving but one yet to be furnished. The blocks sufficient to make eight columns, each in two pieces, referred to in my last annual report, have, at the request of the House Committee on Public Buildings and by the direction of the honorable Secretary of the Interior, been laid aside, and monoliths substituted therefor. By this same authority together with the request of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds of the Senate, some efforts have been made to improve the ventilation of both halls. Two large flues, running from the cellar and emptying into the loft of the connecting corridors, were found, which are now being connected with the smoke flues from the boiler furnaces. Air ducts leading from the loft over the halls have been made, connecting with these flues running to the loft. The vitiated air from the halls, after passing through the openings in the ceilings, flows through the duct down the large flues, and is expelled at the smoke-flues. To prevent any interference with the draught the flues for smoke are being enlarged, so that they will carry off both the smoke and the vitiated air from the halls. It is possible that this method of extracting the foul air may be so effective that the fans, as an impelling power, may be dispensed with. This work is being done at a small expense, and it is believed will prove beneficial. Objections have been made to the fresh-air source; the present inlets are near the angles of the wings and connecting corridors, and are liable at all times to admit dust, and oftentimes do admit other impurities thrown from the windows. Besides, the air at this place has an increased temperature in summer, obtained from the reflection from the heated walls and pavement. In order to obtain a purer, and in summer a cooler supply of air, it is propose to construct an underground duct opening in the eastern grounds, which opening could be made an ornamental feature by placing a fountain in its centre; the jets and overflow would assist in cooling the air, and to rid it of any mechanical impurities with which it might be charged. A separate duct and fountain will be required for each wing. The flagging which form the roof of the boiler-vaults being defective, have been taken up and relaid. The leakage at the joints of the iron gutters, on the roof, prove a great annoy. ance, and it is hardly possible to keep them tight, owing to the contraction and expansion of the material and the consequent working out of the leaden caulking. I recommend that these gutters be lined with wood, covered with copper, which mode will prove effective, as the copper gutter can be kept tight, and will also be a protection to the present gutters of iron. Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866. Amount paid for marble, cutting, dressing, and setting..... $126,262 $3 48,807 78 26,600 00 43,972 60 Amount paid for miscellaneous bills, such as bricks, lime, sand, cement, hardware, lumber, &c.... 29,879 88 Amount paid for models of bronze doors.. 8,940 00 Amount paid for material, casting, and fitting on account of bronze doors... 20,860 35 305,323 44 Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866. Leaving on the 31st October, 1866, an unexpended balance of.. 385, 734 27 305, 323 44 80,410 83 It will be seen from the above that a large item of the expenditure was for the models, and for casting and fitting bronze work for the Crawford doors. One set of these doors are being cast at the foundry of James T. Ames, at Chicopee, Massachusetts, and directions have been given to have the models for the other set shipped to this country. An appropriation of $250,000 will be required to continue this work for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868. NEW DOME. Although the fresco picture over the eye of the dome has been exposed to view by taking away the scaffolding, it is not finished, as the artist intends to soften down the harshness at the joinings of the plastering. He was under the impression that these imperfections would disappear when the surface became dry. He holds himself in readiness to do the proper toning and blending whenever the scaffolding is in place for the painting of the vault of the rotundo. I would call attention to the necessity of ornamenting the belt, between the second and third cornices of the rotundo. The original intention was to enrich this member in basso-relievo, but it is deemed advisable to have it painted in fresco in imitation of the same. Mr. Brumidi has submitted a design for its embellishment in this manner, consisting of a series of national pictures, arranged in a chronological order. It is hoped this subject may receive attention, and that his design may be adopted or modified, or that other designs may be invited for this decoration from artists of acknowledged merit. The apparatus for lighting the gas-burners by means of galvanic electricity has been completed and in successful operation, by which means 1,083 gasburners are lighted in a few moments. The entire exterior has been painted one coat, and it is the intention to paint the interior one coat also next season. The sandstone stairway leading to the approach of the dome is much worn, and the steps should be covered with iron plates. Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866. Amount paid on account of fresco painting over the eye of dome, Amount paid for labor and material on account of gas-lighting apparatus... Amount paid for paint and painting.. Amount paid on rolls of mechanics, laborers, &c. .. Amount paid for miscellaneous bills, such as bricks, hardware, lumber, &c. .... Total.... $20,000 00 10, 193 80 7,420 03 6,718 43 4, 149 53 48, 481 79 Cash account of the new dome. Amount available October 31, 1865... Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866... Leaving on the 31st of October, 1866, an unexpended balance of $21 38 50,000 00 50,021 38 48, 481 79 1,539 59 To do the contemplated painting, furnish iron work for stairs, complete the hand-railing, &c., an appropriation of $15,000 will be required. ENLARGEMENT OF THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY. The northern extension is now completed, and it is expected the southern one will be also by the commencement of the next session. Besides the work embraced in the contract, there have been some additions and alterations made, which will increase the cost, such as adding a larger number of shelves, increasing the size of the north extension, heating by steam, and furnishing screens for all the alcoves, both in the old room and extensions, and diminishing the width of the floors of the upper galleries. These changes have been made mostly at the request of the Joint Committee on the Library, and by the order of the Secretary of the Interior. $125, 247 60 Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866. Amount paid for steam-pump, boiler, and plumbing to restore Amount paid for rain pipes and gutters to carry water from roof of old library. Amount paid for building brick archways for steam-pipes connected with the heating apparatus of library. Amount paid for miscellaneous bills, such as bricks, hardware, lumber, advertising, stationery, salaries, &c., &c. .. 3, 750 00 560 00 3,691 82 650 00 1,732 00 2,295 19 Cash account. 137,926 61 Amount available October 31, 1865... Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866.. Leaving on the 31st of October, 1866, an unexpended balance of $147, 056 11 22, 000 00 169,056 11 137,926 61 31, 129 50 EXTENSION OF THE CENTRE BUILDING. It is hoped that some action may be taken towards extending the central portico, and I recommend that this necessary improvement be made in conformity with the plan proposed by Thomas U. Walter, esq. If this change is to be made at no very remote period, it would be to the advantage of the government to have it done now, while the other work is going on, and before the eastern grounds are improved. THE EXTENSION OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS. A bill to enlarge the public grounds surrounding the Capitol passed the Senate last session, but was not reached by the House of Representatives. In all probability this may become a law next session. This bill provides for the extension of the grounds so as to embrace the squares north and south to B streets belonging to the United States, and for the purchase of squares 687 and 683. Also that when the title of the two squares above mentioned is acquired, the public grounds east of the Capitol shall be graded so that the flow of the surface water will be from the building, instead of towards it, as at present. This change of grade will improve the view of the eastern front of the building, as it will gain additional height, and will place it at the summit, instead of at the foot of a slope, as at present. I most respectfully recommend that this improvement may be authorized by Congress, or at least so much of it as relates to the grounds already the property of the government, so that B streets north and south may be paved and A streets vacated, and that the terraces be filled in, and that the other necessary steps be taken to grade and fill these grounds. PATENT OFFICE BUILDING. As the marble required for the portico is nearly all large blocks, great difficulty and some delay have been encountered in getting them, the quarry not being of a character to yield them without clearing away a vast amount of small material. About three-fourths of the material necessary to complete the portico is now on the ground and wrought. It will be finished next season unless new difficulties arise at the quarries. $41, 735 87 Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866. 2,477 06 2,467 06 46, 679 99 Cash account. Amount available October 31, 1865... Amount expended from October 31, 1865, to October 31, 1866, Leaving on the 31st of October, 1866, an unexpended balance of A further appropriation of $25,000 will be required. Hon. O. H. BROWNING, $50, 818 17 50,000 00 100, 818 17 46,679 99 54, 138 18 EDWARD CLARK, Architect U. S. Capitol Extension, &c. 36 1 |