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In addition to supervising the construction of the House Office Building, the Architect of the Capitol, Elliott Woods, was also responsible for preparing the building for occupancy, and that meant furnishing its 397 Members’ offices and 14 committee rooms.
Bids for 400 file cases, tables, roll-top and typewriter desks, and several chair types were sent out in May 1907. The specifications stipulated that the furniture was to be made of “the very best quality Cuban or Mexican mahogany” with a light colored finish; the leather used was to be “T.P. Howell & Co’s., best French Finish Hand Buffed Upholstery leather, or its approved equal” and of a color chosen by the superintendent. In addition, “all carving must be done by hand and deeply undercut, and is to be executed with spirit and care and left so as to show the tool marks.”
William Browning, the Chief Clerk of the House (and later a Representative from New Jersey), made several visits to the manufacturers’ sites and reported back to Elliott Woods on the progress and quality of the pieces being produced. Several modifications were made to the various designs, including a stipulation that “a metal mice proof bottom be fitted under each pedestal” of the Representatives’ roll-top desk.
 New congressional office buildings in Washington
tend to attract attention across the nation.
Despite the rather spartan appearance of the
rooms there was criticism in the press. Another
paper asserted, “there is no question that the
men whose acts fill the national statute books
have been exceedingly good to themselves.”
When William Browning drew this article to
Elliott Woods’s attention, the architect responded,
“these things are to be expected, and of
course the facts are in large measure misunderstood
always.”
Article from the Albuquerque Morning Journal,
October 11, 1907
New congressional office buildings in Washington tend to attract attention across the nation.
Despite the rather spartan appearance of the rooms there was criticism in the press. Another paper asserted, “there is no question that the men whose acts fill the national statute books have been exceedingly good to themselves.”
When William Browning drew this article to Elliott Woods’s attention, the architect responded, “these things are to be expected, and of course the facts are in large measure misunderstood always.”
Made in America
 John Wanamaker of Philadelphia received the contract for file cases, rolltop desks, desk chairs, and small side chairs. Julius Lansburgh Furniture & Carpet Co. of Washington, D.C., was to provide Turkish or easy chairs, and Gimbel Bros of Philadelphia would supply the tables. The manufacture of these items was subcontracted to other companies in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Contractors were required to submit full-size working drawings, which are preserved in the records of the Architect of the Capitol, and a “full size working model of each type of furniture called for.”
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