St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-26
THE EXPOSITION BUILDING.
Interesting Discussion OF the Direct
ors--Hom Talent and Labor

from parties making inquiry relative 70
space at the exposition, and they were re-
ferred 10 the COMMITTEES on exhibits.
REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL.
George a. Bracket made verbal report
of the joint meeting held on Friday night
by the site committee and the city council,
at which the council gave the city's prop
erty adjacent to the Winslow house for a
site. After brief discussion the matter
was placed on record.
Mr.. Bracket felt particularly sanguine
regarding the promise OF the project. Things
had now been so far developed that nothing
within ordinary probabilities can hinder its
progress and elimination.
III. q. Harrison, treasurer, resigned his
position on the finance committee owing to
the incOmpatibility OF holding both Offices
the one 10 investigate and audit the accounts
of the other. The resignation being ac-
cepted, L. b. Janney was elected 10 ill tie
vacancy.
5. &. Gale, from the building committee.
reported that an informal meeting had been
held and that the matter of securing plans,
/ and with reference 10 the construction of
the building had been had. 1t had been
suggested as practicable and advisable that
an advertisement be inserted in the papers
inviting competitive sketches for the build
ing by our local architects, the building com
mittee to select hve of the best for which
they would pay $50 each, the sketches TO
become the property of the exposition.
/ GILMoRE's VIEWS.
Capt. Gilmore thought it advisable that
building committee visit st. LOUIS. Cincin-
natl and other cities and inspect the expo
sitiOn buildings there, from which ideas
could be formed regarding the best plans to
be adopted for Minneapolis. He urged it
as an economical move, in the light that
costly errors would thereby be avoided.
While Mr.. Regain was emphatically in
4 favor of patroniZing and encouraging home
industry and local talent. he thought the
building committee would subserve the in
! terests of both the exposition shareholders
and the city at large by inviting architec-
! tural competition from abroad. st. Louis.
/ Louisville and other architects had the
benefit of valuable experience not enjoyed
by our own architects. He felt that for
general business Minneapolis could not be
surpassed, but the exposition building will
be out of the ordinary. 1t was plan adj
vantageOuSlv adopted by ST. Louis. The
result is they have an almost perfect build
ing. The plans were paid for and they re-
main the property of the exposition. They
bought dozen sketches, paying $500 each.
and the building was constructed not from
any one, but from them all-the best points
in each being employed
Mr.. Gale explained that the building
committee had decided that the work should
| all be done by Minneapolis parties. 1t is
| Minneapolis institution. and Minneapolis
architects, builders. wOrkmen and labOrers
should reap the benefits, If any there be.
The committee had not finally determined
upon the question as TO whether or not
1 49, \
niSh sketches. The sketches are to be
i'm the outline only. showing the extensions
| by floors etc. They are not to be elaborate
and are to be presented TO the committee by
! Feb. s. From the lot received five are to be
selected. each of the five successful architects
! TO receive $50 for their work, the sketches
to become the property of the exposition.
From these five an architect is to be selected
who will do the final work. The commit
tee contemplate only building the first year
TO the brow of the hill, with a view of
erecting at some future time. an
annex extending to Main street. which will
ultimately be the main front. 1t is not ex-
pected that the old Winslow house building
will be utilized. The plan Is to tear it down
and use the stone and what lumber happens
to be good enough, in the new structure. 1t
was thought that it is not advisable TO
proof, but
THE ART GALLERY
is to be entirely of non-combustible materi-
ais. in order that the valuable and rare
works of art that will be placed on exhibit
ton there will not be jeoDardized by fire.
The sum of $3.50. 600 will be expended i'm
the building and equipments at once, but in
the end the building alone will cost at least
! $3.50 900.
George A. Bracket wanted Minneapolis
/ architects alone TO compete in making the
sketches. and he objected to convict labor.
o. A. Pray suggested that after the sketch
had been selected, the committee should
take the successful architect TO St Louis,
| Louisville and other cities to study the
| buildings IN those cities and profit by the
ideas that could so be formed. He was de-
cidedly in favor of home talent.
Mr. Regain thought it might be well to
send the building committee before the
| plans were decided upon, or while our
architects were drafting.
SUGGESTIONS NOT A FEW.
T. B. Janney explained that Pittsburgh
is now engaged in erecting a building. and
it might be that valuable ideas may be
secured from that quarter. The Louisville
! building is composed of stone and wood.
OF brick.
Will Steele advocated glass and iron as
just the proper materials TO be used. and
offered to supply the directors with a
| pamphlet presenting forcible arguments in
! favor of such materials. He stated that
the plate glass should be of about three
inches thickness. Such glass will stand a
severe heat test in case of a fire.
Capt. Gilmore thought that $500 should
| be paid for the sketch finally accepted, the
other four to cost $50 each. This might
stimulate the architects to bigger efforts.
But Mr.. Nelson did not approve of the
scheme. He inclined to the opinion that
the successful man would be amply re-
warded in the end, and the others seemed
to accord in the theory.
Mr.. Pray stated that the plan of inviting
preliminary sketches is nothing new in
Minneapolis. The chamber OF commerce
was built in that way, and nothing was
| paid for the sketches either.
Mr.. Barton urged that the contract sys-
TEN should be adopted and Mr.. Regain sug-
| geSted that supervisor should be selected
to have entire charge of the work
1t was decided TO invite the subscribers
| to pay in their first installments. Mr..
Pray thought it very gratifying that 1000
had been paid in before the matter of So
| Letting site had been determined upon.
When all paid in the installments will ag-
gregate $3.50
W. E. Steele presented a resolution of
thanks to the citizens of the East side for
their efforts towards furnishing a site. and
with its adoption the meeting adjourned.
CONGREGATIONAL CLUB.
Current Questions Off Prison Re-
form Discussed.