Report of the Keeper of Public Buildings and Grounds from 1904 January 1 - 1904 December 31

RECEIVED JAN 2 6 1993

REPORT
OF THE
Keeper of Public Buildings and Grounds
Fr-o, m Jan. 1, 1804, to Dec. 31, 1904.
JAMES A. HALL,
Kecp<er of Public Buildings a nd G rounds.
ATLANTA, GA. The Franklin Printing and Publishing Co.
G:ito. w. HARRISON, Manager
1905

RE PO RT.
STATE OF GEORGIA, OFFICE OF KEEPER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS,
ATLANTA, GA., June 15, 1905.
To His Excellency, Joseplz M. Terrell, Governor of Georgia.
Srn: I herewith beg to submit a report of the bu'siness of this office from January 1st, 1904, to December 31st, 1904.
ANNEX TO CAPITOL NEEDED.
When the Capitol was built it was supposed that this building would amply meet the needs of the St_ate for many years, but the growth of the State's business-the expansion of former departments and the creation of new .ones -has surpassed the capacity of the building, and it is no longer adequate to the demands made upon it. Some departments have far overflowed the space ori gi nally allotted to them, and in others, the crowded condition of their quarters seriously obstructs the conduct of business. On the third floor it has been found necessary to devote considerable spaceto the Museum of the Department of Geology. Large sums of money have been expended by the State in collecting and properly displaying these geological exhibits, and it is to be regretted that they <;an not be placed where they would serve their purpose better-be more easily seen by the public. The value of these displays is not only largely lost by reason of their location on the top floor of the Capitol, but they take up room intended for other purposes, and some

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specimens must be carried up and put in place with great difficulty and expense, and often with more or less damage to the walls of the building.
It seems that these geological displays, collected and arranged at the State's expense, would best serve their purpose-that of advertising the State's resources-if they were given ample space on a ground floor, where they could be reached easily and conveniently by the public.
More room is needed by the Departments of Agriculture and Entomology, and by other departments, and it is evident that the State, sooner or later, must provide increased space for the proper housing of its various departments and the transaction of its business. An annex planned to meet the needs of the Departments of Geology, Agriculture, State Board of Health, and Entomology, would greatly facilitate the work of these departments, and would at the same time relieve the congested condition of the Capitol. It is inevitable that additional quarters must at some time be provided, and the sooner this is done, the better for' the interests of the State.
THE EXE CUTIVE MANSlON,
The Executive Mansion has for many years been a burden to the State. The building is old and falling to decay, and constant and expensive repairing is necessary to keep it in condition to be used. These repair bills grow larger year by year, and will continue to grow in the future. As a matter of business economy it would appear that the present Mans ion should be sold, and a modern residence for the Executive erected on a less expensive site.
Both the Executive Mansion and Capitol become more expensive to keep in repair year by year,' due to the effect of age. Many of the~e repair bills c;an not bt: an-

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ticipated, as, for instance, when pipes burst, or machinery Q_reaks down, but they must be met promptly out of the appropriation set aside for this department. These repair bills have proved a great burden to the department, and, with the added expenses for lights, water, etc., which go with the establishment of new departments, have surpassed the present appropriation, which is no long-er sufficient to meet them and the other expenses of this department. Often needed repairs are not made because of the lack of funds, and damage results to the State's property in consequence. In order to meet all these contingent expenses as they arise, the appropriation for this department should be substantially increased. This property belongs to the taxpayers of the State, and it is due to them that it be properly cared for.

REPAIRS NEEDED.

The plastering throughout the Capitol needs repairing.

This is especially true of the rooms on the third floor

and of the Senate Chamber. The plastering in a number

of the offices on other floors has become badly cracked

and discolored. Sinks for the reception of slops are

needed. When the Capitol was built no provision was

made for the disposition of refuse water, and the lack of

such outlet is a serious handicap to the proper care of

the building.

The floor of the basement is in bad condition, the

holes and broken places in the cement seriously interfer-

ing with the handling of freight, which must be trans-

ported in and out of the building on trucks.

The noise caused by the passing of vehicles over the

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rubble stone pavement of Mitchell street, on the south side of Capitol Square, is a source of great annoyance and in-

terruption to the proceedings of the Supreme Court. This

noise is often so great as to compel the suspension of

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the Court's proceedings for many moments at a time, thus causing costly delay. The Judges of the Supi:,eme Court have urged that the chai:acter of the paving be chang ed, and it is estimated that the present stone paving can be replaced with asphalt, extending the width of Capitol Square, for approximately $5,600. Under the city ordinances governing such matters the property owners would be required to pay $2,700, leaving $1,350 as the State's share in making this much-needed improvement. This is a very grave .need and should receive prompt and effective attention.
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
The expense account for the_year 1904 was as follows:
Engineer's salary _ - - - _ ___ _ ___ __ _ ... __$ 1,200 00 Fireman's .salary - - - - ___ -- ____ ___ ___ __ _ 366 00
Keeper buildings and grounds salary __ ___ r,500 oo
Porters at capitol and servants at mansion __ 5,540 95
Watchmen at capitol_ ___.__ ___ __ __ ____ __ 2,548 so
Water at capitol and mansion ____ ___ _ ___ __ 150 52 Fuel at _capitol and mansion ____ ______ _ __ _ 1,694 63 Lights at capitol and mansion ____ ___ _____ _ 1,909 IO Repairs on capitol building, plumbing, etc __ _ 1,024 30 Furnishings, materials for cleaning, etc ____ 689 15 Repairs at mansion, painting, plumbing, etc __ 985 70 Furnishings, carpets, furniture, etc _ - ___ __ 760 05 Contingencies .. _ _ . - - ___ _____ _____ - - . __ 590 75
Total - -- -- - - - - _-----. - ---- - - - __ $18,958 95
I have received rent from the cottage in rear of Governor's mansion_ . ____ ... ___ ___ _- _- ____ -$80 oo
And from the sale of old carpets- - - - - --- - ---- 10 oo
Respectfully submitted. JAMES A. HALL,
Keeper Public Buildings and Grounds,-

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