New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-22
nm AcADT,ry al NlIIafr


So much has been said pro and concerning Tic -afety
of the new Academy and 80 large portion Of
cnity that quote Ia lu that section Of the report
lang to this building:
the Academy OF Music located ON the northeast
II having been made knoWi 10 me that the rs,e IF the
Academy intended 20 rebuild on the old premises pro-
ceeded to hold survey upon the walls then standing In
the same we're IL condition 10 be- built upon aud what
parts should he taken down Decming the matter ono OF
Committee OF the American Institute Of Architects 10
sTydy was held and rittog rport t9S f lie nh ~
ject. detailing the detective and unsafe portions Of the
tees OF the Academy aud the condemned portion Of the
walls pulled down InJuly plans and specifications
for portions Of new building submitted 10 me and
approved On the 18th day Of December when the build
ing nearly completed. his Honor Recorder ackctt
copy Of all cOrrespohdenm had upon the Subject, to
gether with copy Of the report Of the survey held upon
the walls, was Immediately Forwarded To the Grand
jury, with an offer TO render any assistance Ia
my power to enable them 20 reach an
no answer as to what was done by them;
was never officially informed. II was reported however
in the public newspapers that an examination was had
upon the building and the roof declared faulty and In.
secure. In what particular was not stated together
with several architects Of undpucd ability and reputa
ton, have since made thorough examination Of tie roof
and they agree with me In reporting the roof TO be well
the Grand Jury he'd evidence 10 the contrary in their
possession 4 was die to thg department 70 the
Of the building, and also to the public, that the
should DE known. The excitement caused by having
doubts thrown upon the security OF public building to
be used Tor PURPOSES OF public amusement by 50 high
judicial officer and the condemnation repeated at random
by the press induced 20 hold Determination of the
me in the first survey. We found that the requirements
forth IN that survey strictly adhered 10 In every
parcu ar some suggestions were made m reference 70
the roof and the interior Of the building all Of which were
cheerfully complied with; IN this connection take
pleasure In bearing testimony 10 the Willingness on
the part OF the trustees and the architect tof
the Academy OF Music, 70 comply with every
suggestion made by the examining committee and myself
relative TO the strength and safety Of their building I'm
prOyements conducive 10 these points, durability and
may enumcrate the following The new building is 10
feet less III hight, and docs not accommodate within 400
of the number that the old building did besides having
fye sevenreet doors on rya,eeeJ,n.t l?QI % Irving
place. and Two open courts Tor eEfe All OF which win
open outward, II has circular staircase II feet III dia
eter, with iron stairs leading from the family circle let
In two feet Of brckwork The principal lobby IS four feet
wider and connected with the boXtcr by additional stair
at either end six feet wide Of stone, set In brick
walls the supporting columns to second tier are OF iron,
formerly OF wood. In the matter or warming the build
ing very great Improvement has been made instead of
the ten furnaces which were formerly located under the
establishment by seampipcs supplied from boiler placed
in n vaut ontsidc the building brick wall 20 Inches
thick in basement, and 10 inches above encirclng the
auditorium, surrounding the proscenium connecting
am satisfied that the present structure, when completed
will he perfectly safe for the purposes for which II is de
the materials used being Of the best quality making
far superior IN point OF strength and durability to the
building which preceded IT, So much public interest has
been excited In relation TO the Academy Of Music that
deem II my duty In this connection 10 repeat the state
Throughout the progress Of s construction II has been
inspected almost daily by officer Of this department.
and such improvements "a / could suggest have been
cheerfully made aud In my opinion the public need have
no apprelensOns Of accidents or danger"
ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT..
The Department Of Inspection OF Buildings has been In
operation under s present arrangement since june 1852
During the first three years the legal power 70 enforce ts
recommendations or Instructions vcstedn the Trns
tees OF the Fire Department. I'm 1865 n transferred 90
the Board OF Metropolitan Fire Commissioners and In
1866 II placed where il Of right belongs with the head
Of the Department itself The entire city is disIictcd
and under the supervision Of IL local Inspectors, who
examine every building Ia process OF erection and
promptly report every violation Of the requirements OF
the building law. These local Inspectors all Of them
old fremen and also practical builders, and appoint
ment to this post is made until the applicant has passed
examination by board Of engineers aud architects
Men acquainted with their business thus secured and
the records Of the Department indicate that they have
performed their duties vlgGntly and ntelg0ntly.