58th Congress, I HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. \ Document 3d Sessiofi. i } No. 385. EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING. U.s.v REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMISSION. March 3, 1905.— Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1905. y c r\ c. S'i 11 JAM 1906 B. of 0. EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING. -Ir. Hepburn, from the Joint Commission, submitted the following REPORT. [Relative to plans for the extension and completion of the Capitol building.] The Joint Commission established by the suudrv civil act of April ^8, 1904, to inquire and report on plans for the extension and comple- t-on of the Capitol building, beg leave to report. The sundrv civil appropriation act of April 28, 1904, contains the following provision: A joint commission composed of three Senators, namely, Honorable George P. Wet- more, of Rhode Island, Honorable Russell A. Alger, of Michigan, and Honorable Arthur P. (jorman, of Maryland, and three members of the House of Representatives of the Fifty-eighth Congress, namely. Honorable Joseph G. Cannon, of Illinois, Honor- able William P. Hepburn, of Iowa, and Honorable James D. Richardson, of Tennes- see, which is hereby created, is authorized to inquire and report to Congress at its next session plans in detail and estimates of cost for the extension and completion of the Capitol building, in accordance with the original plans therefor by the late Thomas U. Walter, with such modifications thereof as they may deem advantageous or neces- sary, and for each and every purpose connected therewith, including the employment of such professional and other services as they may deem requisite, and for such other expenses as said joint commission may authorize or incur, there is hereby appropriated the sum of fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary; and the Superintendent of the Capitol Building and Grounds, under the direction and super- vision of said commission, or such commission as shall be authorized by Congress, shall conduct the making of all contracts for said construction, whenever and not l^efore the same shall be authorized by Congi-ess, after proper advertisements and the reception of bids, and said superintendent, subject to the direction and approval of such com- mission, shall employ such professional and personal services in connection with said work, when authorized as aforesaid, as may be necessary. Any vacancy occurring by resignation or otherwise in the membership of said commission shall be tilled by the presiding officer of the Senate or House, according as the vacancy occurs in the Senate or House representation on said commission. 1 2 EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING, The Joint Coniinission as conslituted by the act met on April 30, 1904, and organized by the election of Hon. Georg-e P. Wetmore, of Rhode Island, as chairman. The tirm of Carrere & Hastings, architects, of New York City, were appointed consulting architects to the Joint Commission, with instruc- tion to study the problem involved and submit preliminary designs and also the necessary complete plans and estimates contemplated in the act creating the Joint Commission, the same to be based on the plan for an extension of the central east front of the Capitol, designed by the late Thomas U. Walter and dated February 20, 1865. The consulting architects were also requested to consider and report on the question of — (1) Refacing with white marble such portions of the present west front of the Capitol as are now built in sandstone, preserving the pres- ent design; (2) Replacing with white marble the two broad flights of terrace steps on the west of the Capitol; and (3) Placing a sculptural group in the House pediment to correspond in character, size, and finish with the sculptural work now existing in the pediment of the Senate wing. The architects were directed to report as their work progressed, and during the past summer and autumn meetings of the Commission were hfeld to receive and consider preliminary reports. Under authority of the sundry civil act of March 3, 1903, the Super- intendent of the Capitol Building and Grounds had constructed a plaster model of the Capitol building as it exists to-day, with movable sections showing two of the three plans of the late Thomas U. Walter for an extension of the central east front. The Commission has had constructed in addition models illustrating the designs submitted by the consulting architects. At a meeting of the Commission on Februar}^ 19, 1905, the con- sulting architects submitted their report (Appendix A). They recom- mend the adoption of a plan marked "Scheme A"" as being in their opinion the most conservative and in every way the best solution of the architectural problems involved in correcting the defects of the east fayade, to which Mr, Walter called attention in his report of 1865. Scheme A provides for moving the entire central east front forward only so far as necessary (12 feet 10 inches) to bring the main wall of the building at the center, under the extreme projection of the Dome, and give the Dome the apparent support which it should have, at the same time adding one column on each side of the central pedi- ment, broadening the pediment accordingh', so that it will dominate the tvvo pediments of the Senate and House wings. It also proposes to reproduce the present east front in white marble. In this scheme no consideration has been given to increased space within the building. EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING. 3 Nevertheless, the moving- oi the Avail easterlv 12 feet 10 inches gives on the main floor to the east of the Supreme Court a series of alcoves, back of the present screen, for retiring- or robing rooms, and a similar series of alcoves to the east of Statuary Hall, as well as on the floor above. In the basement this additional projection would add to the size of the adjacent rooms, enlarging- and improving them, especially in the case of the law librar}', under the Supreme Court. In the central section of the building two spacious rooms are obtained on either side of the main entrance, with w^indows opening- on the portico, g'iving- 12 additional rooms for committee or other purposes, those on the first and second floors being- well lighted and all very accessible. The estimated cost of Scheme A is |S00,000. The architects also submitted an alternative plan, Scheme B, as illustrating what they believe to be the least objectionable manner in which the central east front can be extended for the purpose of secur- ing- any considerable room space within the building-. In Scheme B the central portion is projected 32 feet 6 inches easterly from the walls of the Supreme Court and Statuary Hall, a wide cor- ridor east of the Rotunda, connecting- the Senate and House wings, is provided, and the building will gain 54 large rooms, 18 on each of the three floors. The estimated cost of Scheme B is -f 1,075,000. The Joint Commission recommends the adoption by Congress of — (1) Scheme A. as to the extension of the central east front of the Capitol: (2) xllso recommends the refacing with white marble such portions of the present west front as are now built of sandstone, the present design to be reproduced in every detail; (3) Replacing- with white marble the two broad flights of steps on the west of the Capitol from the upper terrace to the foot of the embank- ment where the garden begins; and (4) Placing- a sculptural group in the House pediment to correspond in character, size, and finish with the sculptural work now existing in the pediment of the Senate wing. The estimated cost will thus be: ' East front extension, Scheme A« $800, 000 Reproducing the west front in white marble 425,000 Reiiroducing west terrace steps in white marble oO, 000 Sculptural treatment of the east pediment of the House wing 55, 000 Total 1, 330, 000 A statement of the expenses of the Commission to date is attached hereto, marked Appendix B. Geo. Peabody Wetmore, Chairman. J. G. Cannon. R. A. Alger. W. P. Hepburn. A: P. Gorman. James D. Richardson. « See Appendix A. APPENDIX A. REPORT OX THE EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL, 1904. To the Joint Commission of the Senate and House for the Extension and Completion of the United State--< Capitol Building: Gentlemen: We feel deeply the responsibility imposed upon us in reporting to your Commission in regard to any changes to be made in the Capitol building of the United States, a building so interesting from the artistic as well as from the historic point of view, and which, though it may have some architectural faults, is, never- theless, one of the most monumental and beautiful edifices in this country. We find ourselves, therefore, hesitating whether we should advise the reproduction of the east front of the building in marble to harmonize with the rest of the Capitol, pre- serving the design practically as it exists to-day, or whether we should recommend enlarging the building in accordance with Mr. Walter's plans of 1865. In his report as ^■^rchitect of the Capitol extension, dated November 1, 1864, he states : "Now that the new Dome and the wings of the Capitol are approaching comple- tion, it must be apparent to everyone that the extension of the center building on the east to the line of the new wings becomes an architectural necessity. I have therefore prepared plans for thus completing the work in harmony with what has already been done, and will place them in the Capitol for future reference. " I do not suppose, nor would I recommend, that any action be taken by Congress in reference to such an improvement until the war is ended and the financial con- dition of the country becomes settled and prosperous; but inasmuch as it is my pur- pose to retire from these works as soon as the Dome is finished, I deem it incumbent upon me to leave upon record my views as to their final completion." When we read this report accompanying his plans of 1865 we were impressed with the feeling that Mr. Walter had been influenced, perhaps under pressure from Con- gress, by the desire to obtain increased accommodations within the building, and that he would have recommended a somewhat different treatment if he had had under consideration only the strictly architectural necessities of the design. We feel very sure that it would be better to reproduce the present design in marble, as nearly as possible as it now stands, than to carry out Mr. Walter's plans of 1865 in their entirety. It seems remarkable, when considering the history of this building, that so l)eauti- ful and harmonious a design should have resulted from the successive additions made to the original building, the result of which is certainly a monument to the skill of Mr. Walter. Whatever faults there may be in the design are distinctly the outcome of the limitations which were imposed upon the architect in adapting the new con- ditions to the Ijuilding as it then existed. The Dome had to be designed in propor- tion to the enlarged building, and yet ^Ir. Walter found himself compelled to place this larger Dome upon the masonry foundations and walls of the smaller Dome. Owing to the fact that the foundations were built on most unfavorable soil, he very naturally hesitated to add upon these walls any unnecessary masonry weight or to disturb in any way the existing ma.sonry where it could be used and adapted to the new conditions. He felt very strongly, however, as we do, the defect that on the east front the Dome does not appear to be supported; in fact, it overhangs the wall of the building and seems to rest partly upon the portico. He was right in wishing to have this defect corrected and, also, in wishing to add another column on either 6 EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDINa. side of the central motive on the east front of the building, thus increasing the width of the pediment and making the central motive with its pediment predominate over the two wings with their pediments. While we feel, therefore, that the direct ele- vation of the east front of the Capitol recommended by Mr. Walter should be car- ried out in every I'espect, we are at the same time certain that could Mr. Walter have given more time and further study to this great problem, unhampered by prac- tical limitations, he would have been finally persuaded not to project the central building with its pediment any farther east than absolutely necessary to give the Dome the apparent support which it now lacks. In our judgment, one of the most impressive views of the Capitol is obtained when one sees the entire east front and the Dome together, which is only possible vkdiile standing fairly close to the building and to the east of either the Senate or House wing. Now, if the central building were brought too far forward it would mask the Dome and destroy this very picturesque and yet imposing view of the Capitol; and there would be no point from where the entire height of the Dome could be seen in its relation to the rest of the building, which is now possible on the east front. We also believe that if this central building were carried far forward toward the east, the architectural effect of the entire east front would be injured, even when considered without regard to the Dome. In a monumental scheme of this character, three parts or architectural motives are much simpler, and a V^roader and better com- position, than five parts. The extreme i^rojection of this central building would completely destroy the present composition of three units, with its breadth and sim- plicity, and would not only produce a division with five members— the center, the two wings, and the intervening spaces — but would make these members practically equal in size and architectural value. That such a composition already existing on the west front is, nevertheless, rather imposing is to be ascribed to the fact that the Capitol is always so greatly foreshortened by the perspective, due to the fall of the land on the west — a result which could not be expected on the east front where the foreground is level and the building can be seen in close proximity. Another important reason for not making this great projection is that it would destroy the court-like effect of the east front where the two wings project beyond the simple and broad central building, one of the most picturesque and pleasing features of the Capitol wherever seen on the east, but especially when standing fairly close to the building and looking up at the Dome. Lastly, it would seem most unfortunate not to be alile, when looking diagonally toward this facade as one approaches from the north or from the south, to see the full length of the building as at present. The extreme projection of the central btiilding would produce this result, for it would practically mask that part of the building beyond it, so that when approaching the Capitol from the south one would see the House wing and the central projection, while the Senate would be hidden from view by the projection of the central building. The same would be true with regard to the House wing when approaching the Vjuilding from the north. We are, therefore, strongly of the opinion that if Mr. ^Valter had been entirely unhami:)ered by practical considerations, and if he had written his report after the completion of the Dome and the two wings, he would have reached the same conclusion. In view of these considerations, and after very careful study, we respectfully sub- mit plan, Scheme A, as being, in our opinion, the most conservative and in every way the best solution of the architectural prol^lems involved in correcting the defects of this fat;ade, to which Mr. Walter called attention in his report of 1865. Realizing, as already stated, thaj; the composition of this facade, and especially the relation of wall surfaces to each otlier, should be changed as little as possible, we have moved the entire front of the central portion forward only so far as necessary to bring the main wall of the building, at the center, under the extreme projection of the Dome, and give the Dome the apparent support which it should have. At the same time, we have added one column on each side of the main pediment, broadening the pediment accordingly, so that it will dominate the two pediments of the Senate and House wings, which INIr. Walter so strongly felt should be done. In this scheme no consideration has been given to increased space within the building, and the problem has been solved strictly according to the architectural necessities of the case; nevertheless, the moving of the wall easterly 12 feet 10 inches gives, on the main floor to the east of Statuary Hall, a series of alcoves which can be used to advantage for the additional storage of documents; and, to the east of the Supreine Court, a similar series of alcoves, back of the present screen, for retiring or robing rooms for the judges. Similar alcoves would also be obtained, in both cases, on the floor above, which could be reached from the central portion of the building and used for various purposes. These changes would in no way affect any of the internal arrangements or even the decorations on the main floor. EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING. 7 In the basement this additional projection has added to the size of the adjacent rooms, enlarging and improving them, especially in the case of the law library under the Supreme Court. In the central section of the building 2 spacious rooms are obtained on either side of the main entrance, with windows opening onto the portico, giving 12 addi- tional rooms for committee or other purposes, those on the first and second floors being well lighted and all very accessible. We strongly recommend that whatever alterations are decided upon should be sub- stantially in harmony with this plan. Scheme A, and that in no event should the central j^ortion of the 1)uilding be made to project any farther eastward than shown thereon. We have prepared an alternative plan. Scheme B, partly to illustrate our conten- tion that the building should not be projected farther eastward than absolutely necessary to give an apparent support to the Dome, and at the same time to show what, in our judgment, is the least objectionable manner, if the architectural beauty and simplicit}' of the east front are to be preserved, of obtaining additional space within the building while retaining to the greatest possible extent the present char- acter of the east front. In Scheme B the central portion has been projected 32 feet 6 inches easterly from the walls of the Supreme Court and Statuary Hall, adding to the building 14 spacious and well-lighted rooms on each floor, 7 on each side of the main entrance. These rooms are a^Dproached by a corridor of ample width connecting with both the Senate and House wings, the Rotunda, and other important circulations of the building. This corridor, l^esides giving the Senators and Congressmen direct access to their respective committee rooms, also provides a new communication from one end of the Capitol to the other, which Mould be both private and convenient. In order to olitain this through corrider and at the sam6 time avoid the deep- recessed courts which would then exist between the Senate wing and the central building en the one side and the House wing and the central building on the other, we have indicated on the plan, Scheme B, entirely new sections. Each of these new sections connecting the central building with the Senate and the House wings, would contain 4 additional large rooms on each floor, opening into a court, supplying light from the east to the present passages connecting the main building with the Senate and the House wings. The colonnade now existing at this point is moved forward to form the easterly fac^ade of the new connecting sections. By reference to the plan it will be seen that under this scheme 18 large well-lighted rooms are obtained on the main floor, and a timilar number on the gallery floor, available for committee rooms or other purposes. Eighteen corresponrese)d east front in ivhite marble without any changes. Cut stone, including all steps ( white marble) |455, 000 Masonry ( entirel v new wall ) 60, 000 Roofing ■ 5, 000 All interior work 30, 000 Sculpture - 15, 000 Total 565,000 Reproducing present east front in while marble ; also adding two columns and iiureasing the vAdtIt of pediment. Cut stone, including all steps ( white marble) $450, 000 Masonry (entirelv new wall) 75, 000 Roofing -■ 5, 000 All interior work 30, 000 Sculpture 15, 000 Total 575, 000 EXTENSION AND COMPLETION OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING. 9 Reproducing prci^ent west front in rchite marble without any changes. Cut stone, including all steps (white marble) 1325, 000 Masonry (entirely new wall) 65, 000 Roofing 5, 000 All interior work i 30, 000 Total 425, 000 Terrace steps, west front. Marble steps $37, 000 Removing old work 5, 000 Masonry 8, 000 Total 50,000 Sculptural treatment of the east pediment of the House wing, including the sculptor's honorarium for the model; supplying of the necessary marble, erected in place, and the execution of the carving from the artist's model. . 55, 000 Respectfully submitted by — « Carrere & Hastings, Consulting Architects. New York, December 21, 1904. ILLUSTRATIONS ACCOMPANYING APPENDIX A. 11 ITO y PERSPECTIVE OF THE EAST FRONT OF THE CAPITOL IN ITS PRESENT STATE. C"^,' £M UNITED STATES CAPITOL GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCAU SIXTEEN FEET EQUAL ONE INCH PRESENT STATE CQMPIUD W CARREHE i. HASTINGS CONSULTING ARCHITECTS I i UNITED STM'ES CAPITOL PROPOSED EXTF ISION OF THE EAST FRONT RECOMMENDED 8Y dOMAS U. WALTER IN 1565 W TH MODIFICATIONS SUC "tESTED IN REPORT OF DEC. 27 1904 BY CARRERE & HASTII GS CONSULTING ARCHITECTS GROUND FLOOR PLAN SOLE SIXTEEN FEET EQUAL ONE INCH SCHEME "A" p ^ UNITED ST/GTES CAP PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE EAST FRO»^,_„ RECOMMENDED BY THOMAS IJ. WALTER IN 1565 WITH MODIFICATIONS SUGGESTED IN REPORT OF DEC. 27 WW^ BY CARRERE & HASTINGS CONSULTING ARCHITECTS GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCAU SIXTEEN ftirt EOyAL ONE INCH SCHEME ""B" fmifimm-'m-^ ^ ^ % . n .^MSft mtR .*«; .?W:.;.:*:?'S£' 8b. m.- APPENDIX STATEME?(T OF EXPENDITUEI B. :S TO MARCH 2, 1905. of the United States Capitol. Joint '('ommissioD, extension and completion Traveling expenses. Models. Drafting. Miscella- neous. Architect fees. Total. '•ills paid S161. 30 51.00 |1 814 00 «9fi9 sn S5.38 405. 35 S5, 000. 00 J2 233 48 lills rendered, to be paid "733.19 6 189 54 Grand total, $8,423.02. 13 APPENDIX C. FLOOR PLAN AND PEKSPECTIYE, WALTER PLAN OF FEBRUARY 20, 18G5. 15 H. Doc. 385, 58-3 2 o -^ \- i=> %. LBJj