Excerpt from Report of the Secretary of the Interior, 1895, Vol. 3 of 5: Being Part of the Message and Documents Communicated to the Two House of Congress at the Beginning of the First Session of the Fifty-Fourth Congress

A water filter of sufficient capacity to purify water used for drinking and for the steam boilers is desirable. It is estimated that such a filter canbe constructed and placed at a cost of not more than 0500, and I respectfully recommend that an appropriation of that amount be asked for that purpose.

The Department has called attention to the considerable amount of gas consumed in the budding, the cost of which in 1894 was and in 1895 It has not been discovered that there has been any leakage, waste, or needless consumption, yet the cost seems larger than it ought.

The chief clerk and superintendent of the building unite in advising the construction of a complete electric plant, consisting of two watt dynamos, two 65-horsepower engines, two 70-horsepower steel boilers, exhaust heater for feed water to boilers, and duplex feed pumps for same; also incandescent lamps of 16 candlepower, with shades, and wiring for the whole building; all estimated to cost not to exceed It is further estimated that such a plant can be operated for 8200 per month - not more than the present cost for gas - and that it will give more and better light, aid the telephone system, operate electric fans, which are much needed in the summer months in the rooms on the upper floor, right under the roof, and supply any other desirable use to which electricity is or may be put. I respectfully present the plan as deserving of careful and favorable consideration.

It has been found necessary to take men from the small force of laborers to aid in running the elevators and for assistance in the fire room, leaving an insufficient number for the care of the building and its surroundings. I respectfully recommend that two more elevator conductors be. Provided for and furnished, at a salary of $600 each, and two additional firemen, at a salary of 87 20 each.

While the Pension building is not attractive in its exterior as com pared with the other Government buildings in Washington, yet, situated as it is in a park, away from dust, noise, and from other structures, its rooms being all outside rooms, with high ceilings, and well lighted and (because of the great court in the center) very perfectly ventilated, it is perhaps more comfortable than any of the others for the working force employed in it.

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