The New York herald., 1873-09-30
THE CENTENNIAL BUILDING.
The Plan for the Mammoth Structure To Be Do
oided Upon on Wednesday-The Question
Of Cost-Shall It Be Cheap and
Inconvenient Buildingl

PHILADELPHIA, sept. ~, 1873.
The time for selecting the plan for the great
building for the American Centennial Ex-
position is at hand. The Board of Archi-
lecture meet on Wednesday, and its men,
bers will probably make no announcement for
q week or so yet to come. II Will be remem-
bered that by very happy management instituted
at the outset the number of designs has been re-
duced to ten. The circular and semi-circular plans
have already been subject to such earnest praise.
and at Paris one OF these forms was used with such
complete success that there be but little doubt
the design finally decided upon will incorporate
all the ideas OF the circle semi-circle, while
the demand for o permanent Memorial Hall in the
American structure renders it almost certain that
the latter will be held in the highest favor. 1t is
useless for me to state the great import Of the
meeting about to convene, or to refer even briefly
to the anxiety with which the decision will be
awaited by the people. l have already furnished
the HERALD with letters from the manufacturing
interests OF Edinburgh, Lyons, Manchester and
Vienna, each OF which, set forth earnest applica-
tiOn for space. In consideration of these 1t is
evident that foreign Powers Will also await the
issue OF the next ten days with little solictude,
anu upon the excellence or the con-
struction OF the building, its durability
and It's power 80 remain UNAFFECTED by any
atmospheric condition for months and mon this,
depends entire The magnitude OF foreign represen-
tatiOn. In the Englisn department OF the Vienna
Exposition the main attraction, directly at the
entrance Is an immense case, Tor the construction
or which was expended the sum OF $4,000, and
within which Bailey, T1any and two or three
other American jewellers could be promiscuously
thrown in with but very little difficulty The con-
yet they were willingly offered, because the
security OF the building insured their protection
refer to this because America cannot hope to
bring to her Exposition brilliant and lively for
eign competition unless she first secures their trust
and confidence by erecting structure admirable
In all its appointments, and, to very great meas
ure, regardless OF expense. Therefore, in the de-
liberation soon to Open would earnestly impress
upon the gentlemen who compose the Board that
too rigid economy In national undertaking may
end IN national failure and disaster, and that with
out the best possible structure the exhibition itself
can never be made first class.
There is a natural tendency which seems to be
part or every man, to turn away from an eXpen-
sive article, especially when beside it is shown
another article which apparently will lulfl the
same purpose, and which can be secured at great
deal less expense Hence the Board may act In
this manner, and cast aside plan which Involves
an expense OF ten or twelve millions for one which
could be constructed for five or six. Any such
procedure in this, however, l feel sure would
compromise the trust reposed in them, would
arouse the Indignation or the press, would dampen
the national enthusiasm and ruin the whole un-
dertaking; for there is no reason why the
building should not cost twenty millions If 1t
Is necessary. 1t Is impossible to regulate
the expense Of the American Fair by any satist-
Every internatonal exhibition ever held has always
greatly exceeded its predecessor In both its magnl-
tude aud expense; hence It Is better to begin
right and to start with building large enough for
all exhibitors, rather than finally dsfgure the
symmetry OF the original structure by rude, hasty
at Vienna.
The plans will all be handed in tomorrow. Most
OF them entirely unlike those submitted BEFORE
and will be kept away from the eyes of the public
until the decision Is finally rendered, when all
on M The oaTa in order TO amarae
itself with all the detail Of Vienna, have had com.
missions constantly there, and now withdraw
them to ascertain their views, which must have
very great influence in the direction OF the final
decision 1t is perfectly safe to say that no such
ten plans have ever before been presented TO any
committee and the rare and remarkable excel
ence OF each viii render the selection Of any par
ucuar one task Of the greatest difficulty. Tne
designs cannot be minutely examined, as they will
have to be, In day. On the contrary, 1t seems to
Inc TO he impossible for this board TO make any an
nouncement before the expiration OF twelve or fif-
teen days. and sincerely hope that while the board
is in session that its members may be spared from
the ignorant and itimed conclusions OF poorly
posted press. make this remark because, at the
last meeting oil the Board, several New York jour-
nails, without any authority whatever, pretended to
anticipate Its decisiOn and from time to time made
announcements that this that and the other plan
had met the favor OF the committee, when, in
reality the Board irhd at this time made no deci-
The Committee upon Plans and Architecture is
made made up Of adssorn the following prominent
william Henry Parsons. Texas
Orestes Cleveland. ....... New Jersey.
Asa tacXer ........... PennsyVan1a.
Ezekiel A. Straw. New Hampshire.
James e. Dexter. ......... District OF Columbia.
Robert H. Lamb0rn. wyoming.
These persons assume the entire responsibility of
the decision, and after they have once convened
cannot be influenced by any external pressure, no
matter how great 1t may be or from what quarter
1t may proceed. Hence no one will have any
means OF ascertainng what is going on In this
Board, for It's sessions will be held behind closed
doors. Let the board remember, however, that the
eyes OF the entire world are turned upon them, and
that the success Of the exhibition depends almost
entirely upon the extent to which it will furnish
accommodation for the representation OF foreign
manufacture.