tions were resumed; but some loss of time was still suffered in the early part of April from unfavorable weather. On May 4, the erection of the iron-work of the roof was commenced, and has progressed rapidly ever since. Being necessarily a complicated structure, due to the architectural form of this wing of the building, considerable time, some three months, will be consumed in its construction. On June 11, 1881, the last cut stones for this wing, being the last stones wanted for the wing, exclusive of the approaches, were delivered at the building, and the work of setting the granite masonry was completed on the 25th of that month. At the close of the fiscal year the condition of the work is as follows: The approaches have not been commenced, but, exclusive of this work, all the stone masonry is finished, and the same is practically true of the brick-work, only a piece of wall and floor in the attic and the backing of the mansards now remaining to be done. The iron-work of all the roof excepting the part covering the center pavilion, which is in process of erection, is finished and ready to receive its covering of concrete, cement, and copper, and the slating of the mansards. The latter work was commenced on the 27th of June last, and is now in progress. Throughout the interior of the building, all the walls, openings, brickarched floors, and stairway wells are complete and ready for the castiron finish for doors and windows, and also for the granite stairways and heating apparatus to be put in place. Contracts for the prepared materials for all of these classes of work have been made, and the materials are to be delivered after July 1, 1881, when the new appropria tion becomes available. The following contracts were entered into and in force during the year: 10 Cast-iron door and window Joseph Hall & Co....... $47,711 for doors and Do. windows. May 5 Cut granite for stairways PROBABLE OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1881-82. During the months of July, August, and September, 1881, it is expected to introduce and complete the heating and steam apparatus, and to entirely finish the roof of the building. The placing of the cast-iron frames, casings, and finish for the windows and doors, and the cast-iron wash-boards, will be commenced in July, and completed on January 1, 1882. The two granite stairways will be built during the autumn of 1881, and at the same time all the fire-proof lathing, light iron partitions, and gas-piping will be put in place. It is expected that the plastering and stucco work, requiring several months' time in execution, will be commenced on December 1, 1881, and that the plumbing work will be done during the early part of the winter. During the spring and summer of 1882 it is expected that the floors and tiling and much of the painting will be finished, so that by the fall of 1882 but a comparatively small amount of work, pertaining partially to the painting, decoration, gas-fixtures, elevator, mantels, doors, clearing out, and cleaning down the exterior walls of the building, occupying perhaps two or three months' time, will be required to make the building entirely ready for occupancy. At that time, however, it is believed that the approaches, if commenced at all, cannot be more than partially finished, owing to want of funds at the present time with which to make the necessary preparations, and the improbability that another appropriation will be made before the middle of the summer of 1882. STATEMENT OF FUNDS. Total amount expended to date on north wing Balance on hand, including new appropriation of $450,000, available this date New appropriation desired to complete the north wing and approaches. WEST AND CENTER WINGS. $1,363, 786 49 514, 194 11 100,000 00 As no appropriations have been made for those parts of the building, no work has been done looking to the preparation of the materials-a labor requiring much time. At least a year should be devoted to the collection of the granite for the exterior walls before commencing the foundations. An estimate of $450,000 for these parts of the building is submitted, to be used in the preparation of materials, which sum, if granted, will enable ground to be broken for the foundation in the spring of 1883. THOS. LINCOLN CASEY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., in charge. Hon. ROBT. T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War. |