Evening star., 1894-04-12

and marbleized. The other main buildings
of the fair. designed by architects selected
Tor their known capacity, were remarkable
Inc world over as examples Of what the
profession in this country can accomplish
when the best men are obtained Although
some OF these buildings were much better
than others, and all probably had points
onS,t onaI could be criticised yet as a whole. no
country or time has had such a magnificent
l should further say refined. educated and
oeautiful architectural display.
Washington Court of Honor.
why may not the talent Of the country
pe brought together to produce lasting and
educative effects in the same way? Why
can We not have in Washington a perma-
hehI more beautiful Court of Honor
Win the new public buildings grouped
around II? The Capitol is beautiful in itself.
ana by itself, showing the wise selection OF
good architect The Capitol is also at the
head OF a system Of parks which might be
used with advantage as a center. around
which the buildings could be grouped. Com
hecting with this system of parks is nine
nuhnred acres OF reclaimed land, which
borders on the Potomac and where anv da
slred water effects can be obtained in CON-
nectlon with the buildings. 1t is possibly 70
be resrested that the fair was not held
mere, ana some of the principal buildings
mace permanent and used by the govern
ment. The only objection to such a nro
oeeuIhg would have been the doubt of Con-
gress managing the scheme on as broaa
Chicago" "H ioii0"eo an
ne office of the supervising architect
iias nao ana still has a large humber Of
capable and efficient men in the draT.h,-
ing and construction department T-ndsr
the regulations OF the office such rnen
apparently have little Opportunity 10 show
- tnefr fp a9liity. and as soon as an opening
FOUND outside they leave The condDct
OF the Office is no reflection upon any in
I,iVlduai supervising architect as ali ac-
khowiedge that they can only find time FOR
the .es. routine work. I think from
the facts shown that all will acknowlesge
the need OF a thorough REORGANIZATION 81
.he system. To attain this the work must
De gwen to the most capable private archi-
,so,l, tarchitects who had government
Mork might serve as a board TO discuss
ana act upon questions of taste in connec-
uon with buildings. They might possiblv
serve as jury to select designs ia cases
"here they were not competitors
The Treasury Criticised.
HOW will the system, as advocated IN
the bill passed by Congress, or a modif,ca-
ton OF IT. become operative in this coun-
tryg The Secretary of the Treasury must
nrst appreciate the merits of the scheme
and the supervising architect must be in
sympathy with the idea, or the profession
OF the country must so present the matter
10 congress that bill will be passed maxi
ing the enforcement OF IL mandatory. In
lhe last day or two CMarch 80 the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury has submitted TO
congress amendments TO this bill which
appear designed to destroy all good effects
that would arise from IL; the working
drawings and supervision to be carried cut
by the subordinates in the supervising
architects ofnce. This would prevent the
capable men Of the profession taking part
Further, he leaves the question of fee open,
suggestive of the lowest bidder making
the design.
I suppose there is little question that
the demands Of the country REQUIRE a bu-
reau to have charge Of all art matters, to
be composed Of architects and artists who
shall select the designs of all buildings
paintings ana sculpture that the govern
ment may at any time buy, build or &C.
Quire-"