The Daily Alaska Empire

Washington State Capitol Building Ordered Closed As Result of Recent Quake
STATE OFFICIALS OF WASHINGTON IN SCATTERED PLACES

OLYMPIA, April 18.-(AP)--Washington State's government was spreading all over town today as two capitols--the old and new--were evacuated as a safety measure.

Last Wednesday's earthquake weakened the roof trusses in the old capitol in downtown Olympia and loosened the 100-ton cupola atop the huge dome in the new capitol.

It was the first time in history both buildings had been evacuated at once.

As a result state government was stymied as approximately a dozen major state departments were moving or looking for space where they could move

It was difficult to locate officials.

The evacuations were ordered by Harold Van Eaton, state director of public institutions. He said the heavy cupola will have to be taken down and replaced.
(By The Associated Press)

A new problem-two or three month's closure of the State Capitol building - harassed Washington State officials today as they scurried to find room for departments already ousted from their quarters by last Wednesday's earthquake.

Closure of the legislative building, which houses offices of the Governor, auditor. treasurer, secretary of state and legislature--was ordered yesterday by Harold Van Eaton, state director of public institutions.

He said engineers found the 100-ton sandstone cupola atop the building dome had shifted during the temblor and mortar holding the huge blocks was broken.

It added the problem of finding quarters for nearly a dozen departments to Van Eaton's earlier task of providing for four departments ousted by closure of the old capitol building in downtown Olympia.

Meanwhile, in Seattle and nearby areas. students of at least five schools received' additional vacation periods. Officials said the Snoqualmie and 'Duwamish grade schools will be closed until further notice because of extensive damage, Lafayette grade school will be demolished because of extensive damage, Cascade grade' school will be partially torn down and a third Seattle school, Horace Mann, will remain closed until a chimney is repaired.