Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, June 19, 1889, Part I, Image 1
BUILDING. A Macnlflcont Structure Dedicated to the Art Preservative. PALATIAL AND SUBSTANTIAL. The Largest Fire Proof Newspaper Oflleo In America. A COURT OF RARE BEAUTY. Massive Monument of Granite , Marble , Brick and Iron. ACRES OF ELEGANT ROOMS. A JMnstcrly Arcliltccturnl Drllliniit in Conception nnd Per- 1'ccl in Execution Modern Equipments. Eighteen years ago to-day TUB Bnu made its advent in Omaha. The anniversary of its birth Is made the occasion of the formal opening of Its now and permanent home. The completion of this grand structure , which has been In process ot erection for nearly two years , Is n memorable event , not only In the career of Tim Mm : , but in the history of Omaha. The building occupies two full lots each CCxI33 feet with n frontage of 133 feet on Farnnm , the principal business street of Omaha , and 132 feet on Seventeenth street , being n fllat of ground one-fourth of the entire square which fronts the Douglas county court house and adjoins Immediately the new city hall building now In process of of construction. The project ot erecting this structure had long been contemplated by the editor of Tun BIK. : It took a tangible form two years ago this month , when S. S. Bomnn , the eminent oflleo architect of Chicago , who has made n national reputation by designing and carrying to completion the great Pullman building of that city , and the superb life in surance building In Milwaukee , was unpaged to prepare the design and plans. Excavation was begun In Scpteaiber , 1S87 , and work upon the foundations commenced on October 10. The instructions given to Mr. Boman wore briefly thcDo : The building was to bo substantial and imposing , without ginger bread ornamentation. It was required to bo fireproof , with perfect light nnd ventilation secured through a central court under a glass dome above tiio building. This building , now about completed , may well tike its place in the foremost rank of the best business structures of this age of boundless resources , and from Its solidity of construction and severity of outline and detail - tail and general mnsslvo effect , bids fair to stand ns an example for the future. In the designs the architect seems not to have been trammeled by any arbitrary architectural style , but has adopted the early Italian Ho- manssquo forms nnd spirit with a nanny re sult to the manifold requirements of a mo dern business building , at once maintaining the simple , massive dignity which character izes this style , along with the maximum of light so essential to a structure designed for ofllco purposes. No expense has been spared to make the building , In polutof convenience , strength , fire proof quality , perfect plumb ing , heating , und sanitniy features , the best obtainable. The basement , 'which is entirely above ground , and the first floor nro built of n Jas per-like brilliant rod granite , fropi Wuupaco , Wis. , which in its texture and'color Is pro nounced equal to the Scottish granito. This is treated in rock-faced Iflnish for the reost part with n strong buttressed effect at cor ners , with bee-hives carved in the granite pilasters above each corner. The eleven pol ished massive pillars of this material wh Ich adorn the main fronts are conceded by people ple who have traveled abroad to oxcoi in beauty nnd variegation of colors any marble or granite used In tno European capitals. The superstructure above is of brown obscdlan pressed brick , trimmed with terra cotta to correspond in color , and brown _ _ stone , moulded brick nnd carved terra cotta embellishments are used with good effect. To break the effect of the long lines of windows dews , the central portion of the Farnnm street front is surmounted by an eighth Btory , extending sixty foot , ' nnd above this two smaller turrets rise to a height of 115 feet above the sidewalk. Between the turrets rots n term cotta panel , In plain Roman let ters , bears"tho Inscription , "Tho Bee Build- Ing. " A frieze of obsidian brick , with tracery hand-enrvod in graceful lines sur mounts the completed walls. The six turrets are tiled with terra cotta. The substantial exterior appearance of the building b sustained throughout by its gen eral construction. The foundation walls laid in Portland cement ruiigo from thrco to flvo feet In thlchncsp with as listing piers eight feet thick. A t tile parapet , above the eighth story , tlioy nM/sUll twenty inches In thick ness. The mlJ.i uric ) , piers nbovo the granite ito walls are built around iron columns whlcti pivo auxiliary btrongth independent of the vails themselves. The main entrance is on Farnam street , by n granite arched portal of noble dimensions , flanked on either side by lessor arches , which form the windows of the landings of the marble staircase. On entering the build ing ono is at once struck with tbo beauty and thoroughness of every detail. The grand morblo staircase at the mam entrance leads to the first or principal story whore the counting room ot Tnu BEB is located , The beautiful wrought iron screen work of the elevator system nnd the handsome electro- bronze stair casa surrounding the elevator ; the richly tiled halls and marble wainscoting ; and , beyond alt this , the glimpse through the great arches of the Imposing central court , which .diffuses light through the central pan of the building , all combine to impress the beholder most favorably , A beautiful .0.1 well as useful feature , In fact the feature of thu building , Is this great central court , with Its colouados , arcades and highly monumental effect. Every de tail of ornament bus been carefully designed and the rlcn ornamentation of the stucco worlc of arches , cap& and columns , produces uuextremely agreeable effect. The interior of thin building is rendered so attractive by the court that ono is Inclined to linger there and stroll through Us wldo and well-lighted corridors , always finding something pleasant to tbo eye nnd inspiring to the mind. The court starjs from the ground floor at ttrcot level und rises to a height of ISO feet. It 1.1 covered at the top with a clear plato glass skylight , supported by grucefu tvrought-lron trusses. From the court u the bauduient access is obtained to the scv- nil oflicca In the basement , but these fj V , " . ' " - t ' ' SIMij ! < iTr JiL Mi M Mfe ftMi , ® g p r § f . . . , " - r- -r - - = ' . : - - ii i > % i"Si8' ! ! i-Sri - - j- .r /y offices have cntrauco from the streets as well. well.The The court , forty-threo feet square , is di vided on each side into three bays by pilasters extending to the third floor. The pilasters In the basement story have slmule , moulded , classic caps on which lies an entablature composed of architrave , frieze nnd cornice , tne frlezo being paneled with circular and diamond shaped panels , while the cornice is ornamented with a dentil ornament. Imme diately on top of this entablature rises an other pilaster which extends through the first and second stories , while on the top ot the same appears a semicircular arch around the third story , the whole being crowned by a richly molded modllllon cornice , the spand rels on top of tno arctics having an interlaced Moorish fretwork. Tbo arches again rest on capitals molded with great delicacy , with French detail ornament. The fourth and fifth stories are somewhat plainer , but have very cftectlvo lines of molded cornices and sill-courses carried around the court. The upper , or sixth , story has a double row of pilasters , ono set being wide nnd forming a continuation of the main pilasters from below , while the other sot forms n mulllon between the windows. The pilas ters in this story have capitals moulded and ornamented in the same feeling as are the lower ones. Over those openings are semi circular arched heads with n label moulding. The label moulding Is rich in effect , with a dentil or tooth moulding. Tlio whole court Is crowned with a deep frlezo and dentil cornice , whllo in this frlozo are some circular openings. Over the court Is an iron frame of the plato glass grate which , assisted by the cross lights of the different stories , affords sufficient and auitilc lightn the second and third stories a corridor passes around the court behind the main pilasters. Between the latter are hand- seine balconies , outlined with bronze and iron balusters. The bronze balusters are in the second , with a beautiful design of wrought iron scroll work in the third story. Night light is supplied by elcctriciers placed at convenient distances , the effect of which will bo to greatly onhauca the detail ornament of the plaster worlc. The court is unique In Itself , forming a most pleasing feature of the handsome build ing , and giving a cross light to every portion of it , there being no dark corner in any part of the interior. Ventilation has been given n most careful consideration , and although the glass cover ing lias a tendency to promote heat , the in terior of the court is cool nnd pleasant , owing to the free current ot air created by the lurgo ventilator la the glass roof , and which passes from the top to the bottom of the court. The general architectural Reeling of tbo court Is truly French. There nro displayed great delicacy of moulding and great refine ment of finish and general execution. Tncro can bo no doubt that this court will compare most favorably with any similar pleco of worlc in this country and that It is a credit , both to the originator and designer , while the work has lost nothing of refinement In its execu tion. Ills designed in the future to further em bellish the court with an artistic fountain , und whllo the court POW presents the snow- white and chaste color of the stucco work , its general tone will bo softened und Im proved by a Judicious tinting of ttio wall * in aoft warm color * in the near future , when the building and work has become perfectly settled nnd seasoned. Krom the court at the basement floor is a fine , broa.l ( light of marble steps leading tea a scries of offices fronting west m the first story. All of the halls of the building are laid with the best encaustic tiles , of pleasing color and patterns , and the bases of the Lrnl walls are of marblo. The building is finished thioughout in nn- tiquo oak , highly polished. The hardware is unique in desien and of Bower Balft Iron. Crystallzud plato glass is uacd for the doors and transoms opening on the corridors. All the window glass through out the building Is the best heavy plate , and all floors are laid with selected narrow yel low pine , nnd a large number ot offices have hardwood border of walnut. The plumbing system is the best that mod ern skill can inako It , particular attention having been given the sanitary aspect of this Important branch of the building. All the offices are supplied with running water and Italian marble basins. Every floor has its separate toilet rooms for ladies and gentlemen - men , all welt lighted and ventilated. The building is heated by steam and light ed by electricity , and provided with beauti ful combination fixtures for cither gas or elec tric light. All thopartitionsfurrlngfioorsnrchosotc. , nro of fire clay , tiled , and all the structural work , such as girders , floor beams , columns , etc. , nro of the heaviest Iron. There is not n dark room In the building , every ofilco being perfectly lighted and ventilated. Whllo the construction makes every room , ' practically a fire proof vault , there are seventy-four separate vaults In various parts of the building. The roof Is notonly absolutely water proof , but impregnable to fire from within or with out. The steel beams which support it cross each other transversely , twelve Inches apart. In the spaces between those rails are in serted hollow book tile , three inches und n half In diameter , which in turn are covered with a layer of concrete an inch and a half thick , and five thicknesses of shoot as- phaltum , On top of these half an inch of Portland cement is spread , and in this cement are bedded glazed vitrified paving bricks , laid flat , with cement between the Joints. The weight of the roof Is computed at 375 tons. It resembles a paved roadway und wculd make a safe drive for a score of loaded drays. Two fast-running passenger elevators , sup plied with the most modern appliances for safety and convenience , are provided , be sides a largo freight elevator at the rear. Surrounding the passenger elevators Is a beautiful electro-bronze staircase , and there Is an additional stairway in connection with the freight elevator. THE HUE ESTABLISHMENT. Detailed Description of Its Now Quar tern. The sub-basement of the building furnishes ample room for the vast machinery required to run the printing presses , and to furnish heat , light und elevator power for tbo buildIng - Ing , The Bub-basoincnt is tbo full size of tbo building , ISO foot square within the main walls and extends under the sidewalks on the Seventeenth street side. The space is divided into three parts for the accommoda tion of the engine , bailer and electric dyna mo rooms , The boiler room adjoins the dynamo room and the engmca anil ele vator machinery. The boiler room is floored with cement , the engine rpom with stone til ing and the electric light department with ' hard wood. ; The boiler room is 38 feet wide , -11 feet long with n 19 foot ceiling , affording ample light and ventilation. On the east of the boiler room and extending under the sidewalks are vaults with u capacity of 100 tons for the storing of ; coal. The boilers , are three in number , of Itho Baker & Smith make , each 18 feet in length nnd 00 inches in diameter , and have capacity for supplying an engine ot 200-horso power , a third more than is needed for the heating , elevator and elec tric appliances in the entire building. Each boiler is supplied with a Kirkwood rocking nnd dumping grate , a ppnvenicnce in the matter of tending a furnace and an econo mizer of fuel. The boilers nro so arranged that any ono or all of them can bo used for any purpose. Connected with them are two drums , ono high prcsbUro for power pur poses , and ono low pressure for heating , the drums being connected by a 7-Inch pipe and a Davis 'automatic pres sure regulator by which any amount of steam from ono pound to boiler pressure may bo used for the heating system. The exhaust pipes from the engine are connected with thoJow pressure drum with n back pressure valve which allows the pressure to csc.ipo when the exhaust is greater than is required for the heating of the building. There arp 10,000 square feet of radiation in the building , supplied from this low p.-cssuro drum. The steam heating is accomplished by the ono pipe systemwith the latest improvements , by which the re turns are curried direct to n receiving tank , or returned to the tank'by a system of traps. From the receiving tank the water is sent by two AVorthington duplex1 boiler feed pumps , direct to the boilers or to tno supply tanks in the pent house in the top of the building. The heat for the building is taken from the low pressure drum through the building by forty steam risers all with direct connections with the source of supply so that any riser can bo shut off without affecting the supply in the other pipes. ' . The power for the beating , printing , and electric lighting is furnished by two magnifi cent Corliss engines manufactured by the Hoffman & Billings company of Milwaukee. The smaller engine has u12i30 ; Inch cylinder and is rated at EO-borso j power. The drive wheel Is 10 feet in diameter , has a 22 inch face and weighs lljOOO pounds. This supplies the power for the presses , stereotyping apparatus , paper wet ting machine , plate elevator and Qay dyna mo. The larger cngmti has a lUx 11-inch cylinder , and is rated at 150 liorso power. The driver is 11 foot in diameter , has a 29- Inch face , and weighs 17,030 pounds. This monster machine is used only for the opera tion of the electric machinery , although the engines are so arranged that both or cither of them can bo used for any of the purposes required , A hot water supply tank fur- nlshcs hot water for all of the plumbing fix tures throughout tbo building. Tno exhaust from this tank is so piped that it runs direct or is pumped into a Colics patent feed water heater , SO inches in diameter and 10 feet in length , from which it is sent direct to the boilers. The engine fixtures and properties are of the most approved patterns. The belts are endless and rivotloss and regulated with tbo Eclipse Pulley company's Iriutlon clutch pulley and belt fasteners , The entire building U lighted by Incan descent electric lights furnished by OAC ot the most complete plants of its size in exis tence. The power is supplied by thrco dyna mos of the United States Electric Light company's patent. Two of the dynamos have power each for supplying GOO 10-cundlo power lamps , and the small ono supplies 303 lamps. The larger dynamos run at SOO revolutions per minute , while the small ono executes 1,050 revolutions per minute , The machines are self-regulating , so that any number of lights may bo turned oft with out affecting the balance. The switchboard , from which the lights are operated is a model of mechanical ingo _ nuity. It is supplied with on ampere mete by which the number of lights in use Is reg istered ; an indicator for registering the can dle power of lamps In use through the build ing ; a balance to make each circuit boar the same power ; n potential Indicator to register the candle power of each lamp and n ground detector to locate ground on any part of the system. Connected with the system is a plug switch , the use of which is 1o keep n proper voltage on each circuit. The building is wired up and down from a central dis tributing point on the third floor nnd is divided Into eight main branch circuits. By this arrangement In case of accident to ono part of the circuit , only one-eighth of the number of lamps In the building would bo disturbed. Separata cut outs are also supplied for each room In the building. The building Is wired with braided oconito wlro , with proper cut outs for nil damp places. Each dynamo is supplied with n pilot Hi/lit , which burns only when the dynnrno Is run ning , nnd they are arranged to run singly or together. The plant furnishes over fifteen hundred lights for the building , and this number can easily bo Increased. To the credit of the company puttlngin | the plant it may bo stated that with all the thousands of feet of wlro necessary for supplying the building with lamps , and the various ap pliances for their protection nnd regulation , every detail was so carefully observed In the construction of the plant thnt when the power was turned on everything worked perfectly. Connected with the dynamo name und operated from It Is a pony motor used for running the blower of the pneuma tic tubes that connect the editorial rooms with the various dcj artmonts of the paper. The machinery used for the operation of the elevator service is on a par in point of completeness with that used for other pur poses in the building. For the passenger service , two Crane passenger elevators aroused used , each having a cylinder SO inches in diameter and 11 feet in length. These are supplied with water from a tank in the pent house on the top of the building. This tank Is ten feet wide , six teen feet long and sixteen feet deep ) and is discharged by the operation of the elevator Into a tank of similar size in tbo subbasement ment from which the water is pumped back to the upper tank by n Worthlngton com pound duplex pump and is governed auto * matlcally by a float In the tank. On the north side of the building an Immense Crane freight elevator is furnished power by a cylinder thirty-six Inches in diameter and wol vo feet in length , and is operated in the same manner as the passenger elevators. These elevators uro speedy , noiseless and absolutely safe. A ono horuo power elevator , used to carry the stereotyping plates from the sixth floor to the press rooms In thu basement , is a Crane's patent screw elevator and is run by ropo.transmUelon , J'rnss and Mailing Hooni. The location of the press room Is n new departure from usage In metropolitan dailies. Instead of setting the presses underground , as has been customary , a space 30x75 feet was set apart on the northwest corner of the ground floor divided by a partition. In ono of these rooms the two lightning presses of THE Bnc are in full operation , while the other room , with access directly to the mall wagon on the 20-foot al ley , is used us the mailing room. The ground floor , on which the press room Is located , rests on 12-inch steel beams , arched with brick nnd covered with a bed ot concrete. This support would have been ample , but in order to render the vibration incidental to thu rotation of presses harmless to the walls of the buildings , separate walls , resting upon the ground In the sub-basement , and running transversely between the steel beams , up to a level of eight inches nbovo the first floor , were constructed. Upon those walls the frames of the presses rest and sup port the entire weight. Tno result is that the presses are comparatively noiseless and run without the least contact with the main walls of the building. With its flvo windows on ono side and thrco transoms looking directly into the court , the press room is ns light us the com posing room , and will require no artificial lighting between day creak nnd sundown. Another feature of this press room Is that there Is no overhead shafting or belting , The belts that connect with the main shaft come up from the engine room in the subbasement ment through the floor over tholmaln pulleys. Two largo vaults , connected directly with the press room , furnish amnlo facili ties for the storage of inks , lubricating oils and tools needed in the press room. Directly In the rear of the press room Is n broad passageway leading to the freight and plato elevators the former , down to the paper storage vaults in the sub-basement ; the latter , up to the stereotyping room. The freight elevator also can bo utilized for sending up largo numbers of plates from the press room whenever they accumulate. Two Scott wcb-perfcctlng presses are em ployed. These magnificent machines each have a capacity of 12,000 cight-pago nnd 21- 000 four-page papers per hour. They wcro built expressly for Tun Bun by C , PottorJ r & Co. at their factory at Plainflcld , N. J. These two presses have a capacity of 21- 000 eight-page or18,000 four-page papers per hour , printed , folded , pasted nnd counted , The press room Is in charge of Fred Youngs , who commenced his career as pressman at Tin : BKE office about ton years ago. ago.As As has been stated above , the mailing room is practically an annex of the press room. It Is well lighted by windows on two sides and transoms on a third sido. The mailing clerk Is in position to throw the pa pers upon the wagons In the alloy. Anew feature has also been Introduced in tills de partment. Ordinarily mailing tables are merely planks nailed to wooden frames. In this room the tables are polished marble slabs resting upon frames of wrought Iron , The advantage of these is that the tables uro indestructible by fire and their perfect smoothness greatly facilities the work of wrapping. Besides this , such mailing tables can bo cleared of all paste which adheres to wood. The magnitude of the worlc performed in the mailing-room will bo readily appreciated when it is stated that nearly 110,000 copies of TUB Bun are stamped and mailed there every \vcelt. This docs not Include ttio l > apers delivered In Oinntm , South Omalm , Council Bluffs nnd Lincoln , nor the papers sold nt the no\v stands tlirougliout the city mid upon nil out-going trains. v Kvory morning 10,000 copies ot the paper nro stnnipcd , wrapped mid innlled , and on Sunday morning 12,000 copies po through thnt process. Kvory Wednesday the weekly edition hat to bo looked titter , which number * 33,000 to10,000 papers. On week days about 0,000 copies nro expressed to the vnrlouH news- dealers In this nmt surrounding states , anil i 0,000 on Sunday. Mr. Cllsa Hutler Is the foreman ot this de partment and Is an expert in the business , as nro the men under him. They have wrapped ns many us 100 BIIS : : In one inlmito , and ono ot the boys ( Somors ) has wrapped 1,000 in an hour , Including pasting and changing the mull sacks. I'lio Coimttiii : Itooin. The ascent ot the grand staircase loading to the hanking story elevator Inndlnc , and n passnco through the east corridor ending at the entrance to the counting room In the method ot gaming access to thu business charters. The counting room doors nro of f antique oak , the upper panels of which con sist of beveled plato glass , swinging under n lurgo plato glass transom. This room and the private oftlco south of It occupy the en tire space embraced In the cast sldo of the banking floor with the exception of about twenty-live , feet In the rear. Its extreme s width Including the public lobby ndjolnlrg m the counter on the cast and reaching to the Inner court , Is thirty-eight foot. The count ing room proper , excluding the private room In front , Is moro than eighty feet In length and has n minimum width of twonny-four feet and a maximum breadth of thirty-eight feet. The high celling Is supported by four grand pillars , with Ionic capitals , that spring from about the center line of the room. Flvo mnentllcent chandeliers support an artificial lighting capacity of thirty incandescent and a line number of gas Jets while ten auxiliary double light incandescent brackets are dis tributed about the bides of the room. Nine generously dimensioned windows on the Seventeenth street side of the building and three vast glazed openings on the court , with largo transoms on thu north and .south admit daylight. The iluor of the counting room is of oak ornamentally bordered by strips of black walnut and oak and the wainscot and other finish. . Is ot antique oalr. A llfty--foo i counter runs from the private 1 room on the south to a junction with the east wall , where it contracts the width of the 4 business office enough to meet the counter at n right angle. It Is erected on a base of chocolate marble , supporting tno russet Tennessee marble pilasters that nro sur mounted by n quarter round section of mar ble of the same color as that of the base lying Immediately below the marble crown. Between the pilasters and the upper and lower courses of russet marble which run along the sldo of the counter ore panels of very dark mottled Florentine marble. Above the marble is a very artistically shaped screen worked in Mower BalfC iron , and at various intervals in it appear openings for the advertising , subscription and Uivcrs other departments. The lobby or public portion of the counting room outside the counter la floored with a mosaic pattern of marble iill- pnrtcd from Bergamo , Italy , and wainscoted with very dark mottled Florentine marble , touched off at the edges by the russet colored marble. A jmeutnatic tube carries copy be tween the composing room and the business department. Entrance to the rear of the room can bo effected from an castand west corridor reached by the grand stairway at the north onttof the court. -I To the right of this roar entrance are two great vaults standing ou each side of a pas- sagowny leading to a dressing room The private oflleo or directors' room is 20 feet square , and fronts on Furnnm and Seven- tcenth streets. It is well lighted , floored with quarter sawed oak , the extremities of which are ornate in oak and walnut , and fin- ishcd in antique oak. This room Is without doubt ono of the handsomest in the city. i The Editorial ItooiiiH. Abroad tiled corridor , running east nnd J west In front of the elevator landing of the seventh floor , leads to the entrance of the editorial department. The words "Editorial Rooms" are painted in largo gilded letters A upon the glass panel of the door which opens Into the unte-room immediately cast of the elevator. This Is n spacious chamber supplied with chairs , tables , flics of the paper and telephone. Through this room every visitor and every member of the edi torial staff is obliged to pass before entering any of the rooms set apart for editors and reporters. A door on the cass opens Into the editorial corridor , on either side of which nro located the working rooms of tno staff. The rooms were designed with special reference to the purposes to which they are now devoted , nnd , ns a consequence , nro well lighted nnd ventilated and supplied with all the conven iences of modern Journalism. They nro fin ished in antique oak and supplied with furni ture which harmonizes with the wood wont. Turning to the right and crossing the hall , which extends north and south , the visitor enters the suite of the editor In chief , These apartments consist of two rooms , thn larger plainly , but tastefully furnished , command ing a inngiilliccnt view on both Furnnm and Seventeenth streets of two sides of the city. The smaller Is the hbrarv room. To the north Is the sulto of the managing editor , consisting of a working room , to which a private consultation room adjoins. North of the managing editor's room is that of the city editor. Thi- room Is con nected with that of the managing editor , und TV beyond It is the reporters' room , whcro at 1 almost any hour of the day or night seine mem ber of the local force may bo found at worlc. Each reporter is provided with on antique oak table provided with gas Jot and electro- Her. From this room there Is an opening into the composing room by means of which copy may bo dropped into the hands of the foreman , both by day and night. Crossme the hall , Is found a spacious room , used by the night editor nnd telegraph editors. This room Is occupied by the day proof : J readers also. It is Joined on the south by the room of the news nnd exchange- . editors , and between this nnd the ante-room , nro other rooms for the editorial writers , The rooms nro supplied with gas and cloc- trio bulbs for Illuminating purposes , and nearly all of them have uiarblo lavatories of the most modern design. There are no liner editorial rooms In the world. The west tier of editorial rooms overlook the magnificent court. Tito CompoNiim Itnoin , The composing and stereotyping rooms are located on the seventh floor of the building. They extend over the entire space of 41x123 feet cmb , ace I In the area between the Sev enteenth street front and the city hall alloy. The composing room covers an area of 33,010 feet , bulng 44 feet In width nnd 60 feet in length , with a height varying from 17 to 10 feet. It may bo reached by nuceuding the back stairway or the rear elevator turougU