New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-09

SECRETARY GAGE WILL ILL TIE FLACE
By COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION.
A PLAN FOR IMPROVING TIE ARCHITECTURE
OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS TO bE
PUT ~ OPERATION.

PUT ~ OPERATION.
fny TELEGRAPH TO THE TEiBrNE.l
WASHINGTON June S-Sccretary Gage said to-oHE
that the prospective vacancy in the once OF sup
visinc Architect OF the Treasury VIII Dc n"'i =;
connective examination. The eXGmiha'lon' Nv '"'''
will be conducted 10y the Civil Service OoH'n'S''o
which will avail itself OF the advice ana 0o-oP'''
tion ~ 8, committee Of architects OF eStaoi'9"'"
reputation IN the preparation OF series Oh que
tions intended to demonstrate the general ana 'e'"
meal knogledge and skill. well as the adf''ii''s
tratiyc ability. OF the various candidates
Secretary Gage regards the Office as one o. the
most irnportant In the Treasury D''aruhc"'' an"
he wants to fiji It with the best man ne ca" se'
cr,,bout rccard TO notifies Mr.. Aiken, the ihcuh-
hcnt practically severed his connection VII" II VI
Nav 81 As Will be remembered he resigned oy
rcoucst the action being taken. as was eAPii'HVu
~ the time for the good OF the service III
ac,cptins lir Alcn's resignation however INC
Secretary OF the Treasury granted MN iea'' ",
abs nee Until July 20, 80 that tochnlcahy III ""'
be 4 Office up 10 that date. MeanWhne 'he ''l'l,
o. the Office arc being administered by Mr.. hemper'
cbiof executive officer who will continue 10 act DIS
Supervising Architect until permanent appoint
ment Is made. ,,.,,,,,
An innortant question under serious cohsidera'lo"
by Secretary Gage in connection with '"e '
Of new Supervising Architect Is the prac'.e"oi'''
.. the enforcement OF the provisions OF the la'SeS
-. - t,h,,arv % 1sq3 authorizing the Secretary
~ tb. Treasury to obtain plans and SPecllicd'ioii~
OF public buildings by genera! competition NJ
action has ever been taken under t"ia So ~
Secretary Carlisle regarded 1t as iinprac'iC'''o "
its present form and endeavored to nave CU"sIes'
mend il so as to meet his objections. lie pro
pared a substitute bill having that ehd III N'e"' wv
If never reached the legislative stage 49,
Although Secretary Case agrees IN the MAJ" "''
cysecr.tary Carlisle that the Tarsney act does no'
entirely meet the requirements OF the sl'u''ioN "
ia strongly IN favor OF the idea OF coihPe't'o,' "
ulaus for public buildings, ana mas iihh''J
:, rive the statute practical test AT me ms
favorable opportunity. lie has consulted archtec'S
on the subject and has found them Wiling anu
zoolous TO aid In any movement looking 10 an III
nr,verren: In the architecture Of Government ouo-
ings. II was said ut the Department 'o-"ay '"i,
there will hc 10 difficulty in er!stins the I''e'c',
and co-opcration OF architects IN TINS "Cl H. anu
that the best among them viii enter INTO the pro-
oscd connection provided however. that arrange
iucuts be rIdc to Compcnsat" the ullSucC,,1, 90
architects for their actual expenses III gSsrtary
t;agc this is one OF the most serious defects IN inc
act Provision is made to pay the Tor
the building but the Secretary has concluded ynr
such apur1priatious could not be used III H Hs NJ
thn actual expenses attending the preparation "a
II WAS feared that under these circumstances ~
might be diflcui. 70 induce the leading architectS
enter the competition. one OF rne mans FOR a
h'iiirS' om1 sand ;h. chance of their acceptance
but thcy would not care to do so unless ther act @
cvncns,s were betrayed. They did not wan, any
hing for their plans provided they were rejec' eor
hcN ond tho mere cost OF putting thcn III SNIP ~
s',bn,ission secretary Gage consulted with me
law officers Of the Department on the sup]eSt anu f
If was decided that there Is no lega au'hor.y tun
an exrenditure OF tina. character. The Secretatry
thought that IT was proper cNpchS. aS.l't ~
characterization for the building for which the pans
We're made. hut recognized the fact thaI ne WsS
powerless to authorize such Paymenos u,, n ronre
Ing laws When the state OF the case was it rp
sentcd TO the architects who are interesting tn'In-
selves In the matter. they agreed 10 give inc LUIS
ncv act a trial the first opportunity anu IgoA "
Congress 10 reimburse them In the future - ne
srons were they to inaugurate the c9mpe'i,,tve
svsten, I'm the designing of public buildings may
tict vorn willing 10 stand the expense lnNoNcd II
CONGRESS did not regard II as legltlmate lteln
~ Inc cost OF the buildings for which the pans
were drawn. ..-.o... . cooro,ory
This arrangement satisfactory 10 secretary
q 40 and hc has announced that he VIII invite
architects to compete in plans ana specilcatonn
FOR the next Government building TO ne erect'tn
and thar Congress will be asked TO reimburse tne
1nsrcccseful architects for the actual expenses en-
tailed upon them by the competition II Is siid
that this course will be followed regardless OF te
personality OF the next Supervising AcHiIec' Vi
the time OF his appointment