Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-13
VIEWING THE PLANS.


Designs for the Carnegie Free Library
Have Many Admirers-Andrew Carne-
gle Pleased With the Exhibit-May Be
on Exhibition Three Weeks.
The exhibition of the Carnegie Free Lii
brary designs at the Ferguson building. on
Fourth avenue, yesterday formed an at
traction that drew q large number OF v1s-
jtors. At no time was the hall crowded,
but all day long there was a steady attend
ance of persons representing nearly every
class of people in the city. Architects,
builders and contractors were numerous,
and they scanned the drawings with critical
eyes. A few ladies, interested in architect
ure or the free library idea, were among the
spectators 1t was the general verdict of
all that the exhibition had few equals in its
line.
A design by W. II. Wood, of Phila-
delphia. was placed on exhibition in small
room adjoining the main hall yesterday. 1t
had been delayed through the freight
handlers and lost position with the other
plans. Nevertheless it is carefully
mounted and arranged and being a beautl-
full design, attracts general attention.
There is some dissatisfaction among
architects about the location of their plans.
They seem to be under the impression that
favoritism was shown in hanging. Jas. B.
Scott anticipated complaint of this kind
and realizing that all could not get the best
positions, he placed the hanging OF the de-
signs in the hands of committee OF entire
ly disinterested persons. They had in
structions to take the packages in the order
in which they had been received and to be-
gin them in that order, beginning at one
end of the room and continuing until all
were in position. Mr.. Scott thinks that
under the arrangement one position is really
as good as another
Under resolution of the Library Com
mission the architect whose plans are finally
accepted will receive handsome prize,
while the six competitors whose designs are
considered next best will receive $1,000
each.
The estimates and specifications accom-
panying the drawings are not on exhibition
and have not been examined as yet by men,
bers of the commission. Said Chairman
Scott yesterday:
1.-THE commissioners, realizing their re-
sponsibility, will take their leisure in form
ing an opinion. 1t will be difficult task
to select the best from among so many mer-
itorious designs. We will keep the exhibit
tion open to public inspection for two weeks
from A. NJ. to B P. NJ, or three weeks
if we find popular demand for it. In
the meantime the members of the commits
sion will familiarize themselves with the
various designs, and in the course of
month we will probably be in position to
talk the matter over intelligently. There
will be no haste''
Andrew Carnegie visited the display and
said: 81 am delighted with the success of
the competition, and congratulate the COM
Sain fho on
by Pittsburg architects in the competition
pleases me especially. Mr.. Frick will tell
you that 1 became enthusiastic over sew
eral Pittsburg designs. Some of them are
really excellent, and are as original as they
are handsome. 1 am now sure that Pitts
burg will have buildings of which she will
have many reasons to be proud"