Table showing the strength of working force upon this wing, throughout the year, by the number of men directly in the employ of the United States, on the first of each month, in the several departments of construction. These figures are exclusive of all men employed by contractors from time to time in the building, and numbering from ten to twenty throughout the year. During the year the best city wages have been paid, and as far as possible only the more capable workmen employed, the class of workmanship demanded by this building admitting of no other course. Height from sidewalk to top of center pavilion ventilator. Number of rooms: Number of skylights PROBABLE OPERATIONS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 1878-79. An appropriation of $325,000, made at the last session of Congress toward the completion of this wing, for which the estimate amounted to $350,000, will enable the work to be advanced during the coming fiscal year as follows: Taking the unfinished departments of the work in the foregoing order, it is expected that they will be completed as follows, namely: All the cast-iron door and window trimmings, together with the cast-iron washboards, &c., recently contracted for, by October 15 next; the stone stairways, in about three weeks; the heating apparatus, save a few trifling coils, fittings, and the steam-boiler connections, by August 15 next; the balance of the furring and lathing immediately, except a small amount for elevator hatchways to be done later in the fall; and all the doors, windows, flooring, plastering, and stucco finish, by February 1. It is also expected to carry on simultaneously the painting, tile-laying, plumbing, and all minor operations tending to a full completion of the building, together with the exterior approaches and court-yard work pertaining thereto, by the 1st of March, 1878. This must, however, exclude the main library in the center pavilion, which, being finished and ceiled entirely in iron, will require a somewhat longer time; but all the wrought-iron frame-work will be got into place by the beginning of the winter. Excavations and foundations for this wing, which will necessarily be a counterpart of the south or State Department wing of the building, cannot be commenced until the old War Department building, occupying the same site, can be vacated and removed; and as the present plan contemplates the accommodation of both Navy and War Departments together in the east wing during the construction of the north wing, operations upon the site of the latter must therefore be postponed until next spring. As, however, the preparation and delivery of granite for the exterior walls necessarily consumes much time, appropriations for the purpose have been very advantageously expended. For the past fiscal year two such appropriations were made, aggregating $300,000, with which the cut granite for the sub-basement, three courses of the basement front, and the greater part of the first story front, but all exclusive of the center pavilion, has been procured. An appropriation of $250,000 just made for the coming fiscal year will complete the delivery of cut granite for the front walls, including the center pavilion, to the top of the first story, and the front and court-yard area walls. Orders for this stone are already being drawn up. A modification of the original fifteen per cent. contract with the Bodwell Granite Company, of Rockland, Me., like that effected in the similar contract with Albert Ordway, for furnishing and cutting granite for this building, and referred to in my last annual report, was formally executed October 8, 1877. Under its provisions, as well as under the like provisions of the Ordway modified contract of June 1, 1878, orders have been executed with these contractors from time to time, as funds became available, and to the extent only of the appropriation. The stone is delivered at the building, by the cargo, as fast as it is cut, and the greater part of that covered by the previous appropriations has been already received. On the 13th of April last an arrangement of rooms necessary for the accommodation of that portion of the War Department which will occupy this wing was approved by the Secretary of War, and the preparation of plans based thereon was begun. These plans, now nearly completed, will be further perfected by the studyof the heating and ventilation of the wing, and thus made ready for use in actual construction. Date of contract. 1877. June 1 Oct. 8 1878. Jan. 15 Mar. 28 Table of contracts in force during the year for the north wing. Detailed estimate of cost of north wing, based on existing prices. |