The three flagpoles represent the ships that carried the Columbus discovery party to the New World. Atop each pole an eagle perches on a small sphere (see image below). The Progress of Railroading statues are visible in the background at roof level.
The Progress of Railroading statues are at roof level. The Columbus fountain is in the foreground.
Thales (Electricity) & Themis (Freedom or Justice) THE GREATEST DISCOVERIES ENABLING MAN TO LIVE IN VARIOUS CLIMATES USE MANY FOODS AND COMPEL THE FORCES OF NATURE TO DO HIS WORK
ELECTRICITY - CARRIER OF LIGHT AND POWER DEVOURER OF TIME AND SPACE BEARER OF HUMAN SPEECH OVER LAND AND SEA GREATEST SERVANT OF MAN ITSELF UNKNOWN
Themis (Freedom or Justice) & Apollo (Imagination or Inspiration) SWEETENER OF HUT AND OF HALL BRINGER OF LIFE OUT OF NAUGHT FREEDOM O FAIREST OF ALL THE DAUGHTERS OF TIME AND THOUGHT
MAN'S IMAGINATION HAS CONCEIVED ALL NUMBERS AND LETTERS ALL TOOLS VESSELS AND SHELTERS - EVERY ART AND TRADE ALL PHILOSOPHY AND POETRY - AND ALL POLITIES
Apollo (Imagination or Inspiration) & Ceres (Agriculture) THE FARM - BEST HOME OF THE FAMILY - MAIN SOURCE OF NATIONAL WEALTH - FOUNDATION OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY - THE NATURAL PROVIDENCE
THE OLD MECHANIC ARTS CONTROLLING NEW FORCES BUILD NEW HIGHWAYS FOR GOODS AND MEN OVERRIDE THE OCEAN AND MAKE THE VERY ETHER CARRY HUMAN THOUGHT
LET ALL THE ENDS THOU AIMST AT BE THEY COUNTRY'S - THY GODS - AND TRUTH'S BE NOBLE NAD THE NOBLENESS THAT LIES IN OTHER MEN - SLEEPING BUT NEVER DEAD - WILL RISE IN MAJESTY TO MEET THINE OWN