New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-17
SECRETARY CARLISLE SENDS AN IN
SULTING LETTER TO PkESl-
DENT BURNIIAM
HE TAKES THE Law INTO Ills Owls HANDS
AID WILL HOLD 80 FURTHER COM
MT-NICATION WITH THE AMER-


taste depOre.
The correspondence discloses the fact that the
American Institute Of Architects has spent ihuch
time in end.avoring 10 bring about change pre-
scribed by law on.y to be snubbed ana hna"S
grossly insultrd over the signature of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury About one year ago-so II
appears from the rrespondence-Secretary Car
Isle assured r. " Hunt Charles +. Mckim ana
PreSi lent Kendall Of the American Institute OF
Architects. that he agreed with them that every
Government building thereafter should be punt
upon pans selected through competition among the
architects OF the country.
When reminded II this in November last the
Supervising Architect. j. O'Rourke. wrote Il have
40 reason believe that there is, or has BEEN any
for deferring action in this matter. beyond
the fact that the Secrctary's time has been >
fully occupied by public business Of the most
pressing character that he has not been able
give the law in question the consideration nrccs-
! sary to putting in operation The methods therein
contemplated"
ON these assurances tine officers Of the institute
rested. shortly after that design was made 10y
the Supervising Architect for new Federal build
ing II Buffalo. There vas no competition but the
design was so inferior and 50 unworthy that pro-
, test sent to Mr. Carlisle together with cut
OF the proposed structure.
The directors Of the institute believe il 10 be
their duty the letter states. ITO their profession
and TO the whole community To protest. Any siruc-
ture Of the general character Of the design repre-
sentcd by the cut In question il carried into exc
cutlon. will be found absolutely wanting IN the
fundamental clements which to make public
building and will be- conl,mnrl by tho community
We therefore respectfully urG" that YOU use your
power to prevent the construction Of tins design
o.EotRKEs INSULTING REILLY.
In acknowledging rccep, OF this letter O'Kourke
wrote.
THIS communication is Of such unusual and
eNtrdorI!nary character. basr4 on 'N Ii' anu ia
fcsaioual courtesy ana good breeding thai ia JUS
macy. and request that You viii kindly advise me
/ board % directors ~ ID" y / y
\ copy Of this extraordinary communication was
sent 60 many members Of the institute individually.
Being called unprofcssonai and lacking In good
breeding by OKouIkc was queer experience Tor
the members Of the institute. whose superiority was
shown IN their courteous reply In which good i"'-
sons are quoted for all that had been written ana
in which Secretary stone ADDS.
1t Is very much 10 b. regretted nat a. Du lung
| at Buffalo shoulG not have h.~n the occasion %
such "A competition ~as c0no np1ai'l ny IN" T"
called Tar.n.y bl ana ~oul az I.cr.t.ry car
supposed ~ Ia" gentlemen wa" s'N 80 , a.
Isle last winter that 30 Whs NJ" lhl,"t.'n ~ o."
| augura,e tn schen, by putting the Hiii''o 'H''''
'' Sine. tA.t I'm. 40 iur,n.r action seems 20 hayr
.,,,.f.. -, lei on fp. secretary on February B. hr
carlisle would not meet tnein' As ne ifi az
|
MI ne had Withdrawn hs insulting letter winch Re-
| rect.i on .yery member % the committee
! : consultation was bal with Assistant secretary
c,r,s Nh, gav. IN, committee 10 understand ti. B.
/ the plans FOR the Buffalo building M been WIN
| drawn frln the Postmaster Generals oHc". ani
| fha, Inc w rk would r.~' wncrc % was
shortly AFTER mat Oh Februar, g. okonrke wrote
among o,her tnngs SAD: Il shall b. much p.ea-~d to
en- Institute OF Architects AZ any conFr".'ni TINE
for c ,'1hi~., am '"''''' N'''' " We
Mr. Buinhom wrote IN reply.
regret cxcecIngly TIA, the conference which YOU
! American Inst.,ui. ~ Architects is npossb" H.
can only bee made go los m" preliminary withita"ai
! signed by Yourself A. r \ / A" AMI AZ .Su.
p'rvaing Architect" ana addressed 10 Mr.. Alfred
to the documeni sisncl by ~ d'rcc,r. g: he
with professional courtesy good breeding etc. etc
/ sincerely hope you vii withdraw IN letter r.
fer a. ana also the copies gent 10 members 81 the
directorate / am sure you viii gain thu esteem Of
/ ali mon ~ the profession ~ taking this course.
MIR nIHNIIAM WRITES TO SECRETARY CARLISLE.
In his letter to Secretary Carlisle. Mr.. Burnham
says.
brought out in the n,cyirw with The Honorable As
sisiant secretary IN WASHINGTON on February D. The
wrrc present on nat occasion were. George -.
Post f. u kendall ana Charles F. McKin, Of New
/ York. Arthur KDtch. IF Boston. and William ".
! Gay and samuel \. Treat, Of Chcaeo E9ch ot
B architecture ana there can b" no doub as 10 their
Th~ design Of the Eurslo building which L. 80
10y them Win a view u suggesting changes 20 bring
nai1rc Their uuanimons conclusion vas tina such
course was not possible; TIA: 70 MAKE The present
/ tcnsvr really to produce . new design.
Mr. Burnh1m shows that not only would better
! results b. attained but Il would De an economical
scheme on the par, Of the department to comply
with their rcques, The letter continues
rot, ne ta% tho sf inc Of %groysd TSry
opinion OF the Board OF Directors OF the institute
/ that The design made in Washington is improper.
and they believe this themselves. They ask you to
take the step which the law authorizes, thus insnr-
INK q noble monument which may be forever a
p;clsur. and pride 20 the city. The competition
can be carried through n an shceedngy short
would be considered by the architects and they
would be wnf to pPare Of m 1bs, quicker IMAM
+ have already SAID that the architects them
eeyes T "S 6r no spcc case W,hoa cost T.
the Government We are also ready to assist me
| Government IN The arrangement OF a code Tor The
| competition
Mr. Burnham in closing his communication. says:
/ note by the public. press that the Supervising
Architect recently Informed Assistant secretary
Curtis that 1t VIII take three years and a half for
his Office as constituted to design me buildings
already authorized. I? this be approximately true
the ret aiming Of number OF the most able archi,
tects of the country 10 assist him Is imperative and
now have the honor to SGgss y9% II, to nsme
| may be- heard by you the questions covered by
i ihfis memorial we offer TO assist in placing rs
archItrciure upon the footing demanded by the
| country We will serve without pay giving our
best endcavOrs 10 the work.
THE SECRETARY REFUSES TIE REQUEST.
IN ,h,s letter Of the Institute Secretary Carlisle
| r,,,or, under date of March G. and after saying
that the memorial has received careful considera-
lion" JIsmisses the request lie writes:
II has therefore, been determinsd TO proceed
with the work in accordance with the design pre-
nsred hv tne Supervising Architect. which Is salts
factory 10 the department ana WHICH IL IS believed
Will when carried into eAecu''o"' ''ee' "e approval
Of the public.
In Mr. Burnhams reply OF March .. he says
I am astonishcd by the contents OF your Letter
Ill, H., e i,st received. / am. however Informed
- ,hai il was prepared by the supervising Architect
" ~ IT, siiry and observe that IL signed
Tnr Won bv one Of your secretaries
Mr. Burnham shows how all the objections raised
~, rho Assistant Secretary were controverted in hi,
- and In conclusion