The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-02-24

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yield the most revenue 10 certain mcm-
bers of the commission. After negotint-
ing with several different architects.
the design of George X. Mann was
finally adopted. and the other prizes.
with one exception. were given as a
sop 10 the parties who failed To con-
summate the respective deals to have
their own plans adopted, The exception
| referred To was The second prize given
10 Cass Gilbert of 81. Paul, which was
undoubtedly given TO him because his
plans were so apparently superior to
the ones adopted,
To assist them in the work of select
Ing "a suitable design the commission
employed one Seymour Davis as advis-
cry architect. This gentleman was Sc
lected. not because ~ his high stand
ing as an architect, for he had M such
standing. but because IL was known
that he would make any Kind Of re-
/ port desired 10y certain members OF the
commission, THIS Is proved by the fact
that he submitted a report recommends
ing the adoption of plan No. A., design
ed by Cass Gilbert, hut at the Instance
Of some OF the commissioner this re-
port was withdrawn without being
spread upon the minutes. and another
one submitted recommending plan No,
%, designed 10y George H. Mann, For
this distinguished service the state was
required to pay Mr.. Davis the sum of
two thousand four hundred and forty
eight dollars and twenty-five cents
S2. .i4S.25). To secure his appointment
Governor Richards was used as a tool
by other members OF the commission.
In the state of Washington, the capt
tol board secured the services of Prof
William Il. Ware of Columbia college.
New York. In assist In the selection of
design. and from lsS sets of plans. his
selections and report was made In five
days. and there has never been any
question as To the wisdom and fairness
OF his report.
In the competitive submission Of
plans for the Montana capitol the
greatest secrecy was supposed to have
been observed, no Distinguishing mark
or name could he placed on any plan,
each plan was accompanied by Il scaled
envelope containing the name Of the
architect submitting the same. Each
plan and accompanying envelope was
given corresponding number, and the
names uf the competing architects and
the identity Of the plans were not 10 he
known to the commission or any one
else until after all selections of plans
and awards Of prizes had becUn made.
II IL were not for the serious interests
Of the people OF Montana in the matter.
this hippodrome Of secrecy would have
been amusing, for the identity of the
leading plans was known not only To
the commission. hut 10 every newsboy
on the street. This Is proven by the
minutes of the board, for the report Of
the advisory architect submitted before
the final selection Of the prize winners.
contains the names OF the different
architects.
In negotiating with the different
| architects the scheme was Ia control
not only the selection of the plans. but
the letting NJ the contract for construc-
tion as WELL for the amount that could
he made out of the plans WAS entirely
inadequate Ia satisfy the ambitions NJ
the commissioners who were in on the
deal. The contract was Ia he controlled
| by the architect. that is, IL was to go
To the party who stood in with him. In
bidding on jobs of this character. the
contractor IL dependent largely on the
architect for his figures and estimates
and Is dependent entirely on the archi-
tect for the Interpretation of the plans.
This gives the architect almost absolute
power in fixing the bids that are made
ON the building and his power Is so well
known that men of experience will not
bid on the work " there Is any sus-
pioiou that the architect favors any
particular bidder. or II they bid at all
they bid high. This would allow them
to place the contract where they de-
sired. and with some variation in the
figures the schemes that were contem-
plated and partially followed out were
as follows:
The contractor or the contractor and
architect were To deposit in the hands
of r.. ID. Edgerton of Helena the sum Of
ten thousand dollars t$l0,000l i'm cash.
this was TO secure the selection of the
plans. They were also tn deposit with
the same person certified check for
ten thousand dollars $)i0oOol as a guar
antec for the fuliillment Of a certain
contract. the conditions of which were
as follows:
The contractor was to purchase GER
tain stone quarries and other property
Of nominal value through h. u. Edger-
ton, for the sum uf one hundred and
twenty thousand dollars tSl2000o), to be
paid as follows: Fifteen per cent. Of
each payment received on the capitol
building was to be paid on this contract
until the full one hundred and twenty
thousand dollars should be paid. when
the certified check of ten thousan dol
lars was to be returned 10 the contract
or, the money thus paid Ia Il. II. Ed
gertOn, except small sum for the real
value Of the property. was for the bene-
fit Of the capitol commissioners who
were in the deal. and on their part. the
commissioners contracted and agreed
that the building should not he made
Ia cost. outside Of extras. more than
six hundred and thirty thousand dol
lars $3.50. .0C0l, but this was by no means
to he the limit of revenue that the gem
tlemen intended 10 derive from the con-
struction of the building. In order that
the firms or persons who should furnish
materials or supplies To- the contractor.
should contribute their proper percent
age 60 members of the commission. MIR.
W. II. crimson Of Missodla was to be
appointed superintendent of construc-
tiun to lOol. after this part OF the pro-
grammr.
The foregoing scheme. as outlined.
WAS negotiated hy cole and tii,kford
with several different parties. with one
party the scheme failed because Of the
efforts of certain citizens ~ Helena
with another party the deal was prac-
tically agreed upon, but the money aud
certified check failed to arrive prompt
ly About this time many social and
business conferences were held between
Mr. Mann and members nf the cominis-
sion. A trip to the National park was
taken by Nr. Mann and some of the
parties Interested, and In the pure air
of The nations wonderland the mirage
! ~ Mnntana's capitol as designed by Mr.
Mann was seen by the commission. and
| the deal was closed az figures somewhat
I more advantageous to the commission
I ofs So far as carried out. the scheme
worked all right. hut In the end. Messrs.
fs. Lur Al