Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-15
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Economy Which is Costly in the End
The Duty Of the National Legisla.

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
The Duty Of the National Legisla-
ture.
From the New York Times
From the elevation and floor plans of the
Congressional Library designed and begun by
the architects, Smithmeyer & Pelz, which have
just been published by the american architect,
1t appears that Congress, by going further is
likely to fare worse. One thing can be said for
their building; it would not have formed dis
agreeable contrast to the capitol, near which
1t is to stand, but approaches the same order of
architecture. 1t is vastly better than the heavy
and tasteless army and navy building which
dwarfs the White House, but raises that emf
nently respectable edifce into the ranks of
high art. A broad fight of stairs leads to a
terrace, and another fight carries one to the
first story of the proposed library. carriage
drive runs beneath the porch. which
thus serves as porte cochere. The front
repeats rep pretty closely the spirit Of
by two square corners jutting forward and hav-
ing between them, above the tripple-arched
entrance, long upper porch supported by four
double columns The general aspect may be
imagined from that of our old city hall, of
course on a vastly larger and more sturdy scale.
There were to be two square wings coming for
ward to the main line and Joined to the central
body just described by connecting bodies with
six windows in line: The slightly sloping
roofs are screened in the old fashion by balus-
trades. This noble front is AGO feet long and
was to be duplicated in the course of time by
rear OF the same length. The sides were 10 be
1877 feet long and to follow the same general
plan, SO that when completed the whole edifce
would form square, from the center of which
would rise dome and cupola Of no great
height
As begun, only the front building and middle
hall with dome were to be finished, in order to
accommodate the books that now overflow the
present quarters for the library of Congress.
AS the books accumulated, the sides and rear
OF the square were to be built. Between the
side buildings and the middle body, which is
designed in the shape of great cross, a very
wide courtyardwouldha have been left ON each side.
According to the plan, these courts were to be
iurther subdivided by inner buildings connect
ing with front and rear, thus utilizing the space,
yet providing for abundance of light. So far
as can be discovered, no objections were made
to the plan on the score of bad art or poor ar
rangements for the purpose for which it was
designed. The reason given is the great ex-
pense OF the structure, and on that plea the
architects have been dismissed and the site and
foundations turned over to the chief of engin-
GERS OF the army with the understanding that
1t shall not cost more than four millions
III we can learn anything from similar occur
rences nearer home, the change, though osten-
slbly IN the direction of economy, will prove
far more costly in the end than it would have
been. could the architects have carried out the
first design. Although the architects retained
for the erection of the state capitol at Albany
were among the best in the country, that tnild-
ing has suffered and the pockets of the citizens
as Well III anything goes wrong in that struc-
ture II the vault of the assembly chamber
cracks and the frescoes of W. NJ Hunt are de-
stroyed, architects brought in after the build
ing was begun would hardly be human if they
did not throw the blame on the builders of
CONNECTIONS and lower story. Responsibility
cannot be fastened on them, for they were not
retained at first, and intelligently backed
up to the end. So far as can be ascer-
tanned Smithmeyer and peltz have
been more than commonly careful
to try the ground on which the huge
building was to stand, and test the materials.
whether stone or mortar, which went into the
foundations. But in other respects the change
Is worse than that which took place in the
management of the Albany capitol There the
abilities OF the architects called in at the
eleventh hour were VIGOROUSLY greater than
those of the men they superseded. In this
case, what standing as an architect has a chief
OF engineers? But supposing, by miracle,
that in a latent condition he has a very genius
for architecture, what can he do with 81 600. 600
on a site already occupied with the foundations
OF a structure which would eventually cost ten?
Unless every sign deceives here is one more
evidence of the qualification of well-pre-
pared designs by men who care nothing
for the dignity of the country, as shown by
the fitness and beauty of the architecture at
the nations capital men whose legislation
regarding literature and the fine arts make
the United States contemplate in the
eyes of the world. 1t is quite among the
possibilities that better design might be
found than that of Messrs. Smithmyer & Pelx:
but what gives sinister look to the matter is
the bad faith of which Congress appears to
have been guilty in the sudden abolition of the
commission, dismissal Of the architects, and
complete change of plan. What architect who
respects his art and himself. what architect
whose work will be an honor to America. will
care to expose himself to the within of a body
OF Legislators who are less responsible than a
private individual, and who cannot be forced
to live up to their engagements? Among the
people the fine arts increase in the respect they
obtain artists in all branches respond to the
demands made upon them. But some charge
OF dizziness and inopportune parsinony rests
on the legislators of the nation, which causes
them to oscillate between the siliest extrava-
gance and the most reckless economy Every
body knows that an enormous space must be
provided for the library of Congress, and that
such space can only be had in proper way bv
generous outlay. If allowed to carry on
after this fashion, Congress will save a few
millions to-day in order to squander many
times the sum in the near future.