TABLE 14.-Names of the surviving widows of Revolutionary soldiers and sailors who are pensioners, and their place of residence, as shown by the roll June 30, 1882. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ARCHITECT OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL. SIR: I have the honor to submit the annual report, showing the progress made since the last annual report in the various works under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol, and a statement of the expenditures made on account of the same during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1882. THE CAPITOL. At the beginning of the present Congress several additional rooms were required for the use of committees. So urgent was this demand, that rooms formerly occupied for storage and even ends of corridors have been fitted up to meet this want. Rooms are now being made, as provided by law, in the crypt for the storing of books connected with the Library of Congress. The file-room connected with the office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives has been extended in a fire-proof manner and furnished with iron shelving and metallic file-cases. Bathing-rooms, as provided by a joint resolution, have been fitted up in the basement of the south wing, and the space formerly occupied by them has been annexed to the restaurant and put in condition for use. As many members have expressed a desire to have the marble tubs which were taken from the old bathing-rooms again brought into use, I have caused the two most free from cracks to be placed in the basement, in rooms constructed for that purpose. The elevator in the House wing has been completed, and that in the Senate is being rebuilt so as to insure additional safety and speed. A warehouse lift, controlled by steam-power, is being put in the Senate wing for the convenient handling of documents connected with the folding-room at the basement. A large amount of painting and other repairs have been made throughout the building. The condition of the iron-work of the dome was found to be such that much of the old paint had to be taken off by mechanical and chemical means to get rid of the cracks, many of which had exposed the iron and caused rust stains. This condition appeared mostly confined to that part of the work which during its construction was primed with "plumbago" paint. The old portion of the copper roof near the dome and over the rooms occupied by the Library of Congress has been so injured by materials falling upon it when the dome was in course of construction that it can no longer be kept weather-tight, and I recommend that a new roof be placed over this portion of the structure the coming building season. The heating apparatus of both wings has been kept in good running order. Of that of the House of Representatives-the running of which the Architect has more immediate charge-Mr. Lannan, the engineer, in his report, says: Through the entire session of the last Congress the daily observations commenced last year were continued, accompanied by accurate instrumental tests and measurements. Of that which pertained to the heating and ventilating of the hall of the House of Representatives they have been carefully taken, tabulated, and preserved. They show for the period embraced in the months of December, January, February, March, and April the following results, viz: Average relative humidity, per cent Average revolution fan per minute.. Volume of air carried to hall by each revolution of fan, cubic feet Volume for each person present, per minute, cubic feet Volume removed for each person present, per minute, cubic feet .46 58 833 47,872 68 72 It will be observed that the volume of air removed was somewhat greater than that delivered. This fact is largely due to the expansion of the air, as the measurements of the air delivered was made at its temperature at the outside, while that of the air expelled was made at the point of exit of the building, where it was heated and consequently increased in volume. During the Garfield memorial services, when there were 2,400 persons present in the hall, the machinery and appliances of this department were severely tested and with most satisfactory results. There were forced into the hall 113.885 cubic feet of air per minute, that being nearly 48 feet to each person per minute. The temperature of the hall was likewise under easy control, as there was but one degree variation of temperature during this whole ceremony, the thermometer ranging between 690 and 700. The small fan has been taken down and reset, and the boilers have been repaired and placed in good order. As these boilers have now been in use twenty-four years, they have been stripped of all their coverings, thoroughly examined, and, to all appearances, are perfectly strong and secure; but during the next recess I am of the opinion that extensive repairs will have to be made to them. I am gratified that as a further measure of precaution you have requested the Secretary of the Navy to detail some of the engineer officers of his department tɔ make a further test and inspection of these boilers. The boilers above referred to have, in conformity with an order from the Navy Department, been inspected by Messrs. John Lowe and W. B. Bailey, passed assistant engineers United States Navy, who report as follows: The boilers, four in number, were entirely stripped of their brick jackets, thus wholly exposing their exterior surfaces. The fire-boxes were first carefully inspected; during the time each was undergoing inspection the boiler was subjected to a hydrostatic pressure of 110 pounds per square inch, none of the flat surfaces in the fireboxes showing any signs of weakness. The following defects were found, however: In furnace No. 1, three patches about the water-legs and one small blister. In furnace No. 2, one small crack in the tube sheet and one patch on the water-leg. In furnace No. 3, two patches and one blister on the water-legs. In furnace No. 4, one blister, three patches, and one crack. These defects do not materially impair the efficiency of the boilers, but we would recommend that the blisters be carefully watched and cut out if they are found to increase. The water was then let out of the boilers, manhole plates removed, and the interior of the boilers examined. The boilers are well and sufficiently braced; the iron, such as can be seen, presents no signs of corrosion, mud deposit, or incrustation. These boilers were built by Ellis & Sons, of Washington, in 1857, and are consequently twenty-five years old. Notwithstanding their great length of service, owing to good material and workmanship in construction, careful management, and the use of pure fresh water, we find them in good condition, and in our opinion perfectly safe for a working pressure of forty pounds per square inch. |