New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-15
THE PLAZA SITE REJECTED.
VETOED BY A TIE VOTE IN THE MUNiCi-
PAL ART COMMISSION.

PLACE SELECTED FOR TIE SObliH'
AND SAILORS MoNUMENT-THE
WORK OF sEIDCTING A DE-
SIGN AND SITE NOW TO
BEGIN OVER AGAIN
The so-called Municipal Art Commission con-
slstng of the Mayor the President OF the boaru
OF Aldermen, the president Of the Municipal Art
Society. and the president Of the National Scuip'-
Society. who have the power of vetolne ue-
signs for monuments and sculpture to be erected
on city property met In the Mayors ONCE last
night and with tie vote, vetoed the accepted
design for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument
which the Monument Commission hoped to erect
In the Plaza at the Fifth-ave entrance TO CEN
trail Park The meeting held late yesterday
afternoon. Rear-Admral Erben and Captain
Drake OF the United States Navy were present
and the Admiral had something to say ABOUT 'he
part that interested the sailors
The figures as shown In the model over
there" said he. good-naturedly. give us sahor
on shore led by zouave gunner. We think .that'
while there were many more soldiers than sailors
In the war. II it is to be a sailors monument
the sailor should be a little more conspicuous
We want more sailor the monument II we
get it,"
Would you like to have one OF your blue
Jackets on horse" asked the Mayor.
Well. II you have him on horse you must
have him falling off it," replied the Admiral;
blue Jackets aren't taught to ride steepie-
chases"
I'VE thought" Admiral Erben continued that
the Navy might well be represented on some OF
the panels that have been left on the sides OF
the base. with. maybe. bass-relief Of monitor
on one side and one of the old -fashioned ships
on the other"
RIVERSIDE PARK SUGGESTED.
did you think that the monument should
have been placed nearer the water somewhere"
asked the Moyar.
Well we did think that II it could have been
placed at the foot OF West Seventy-second-st. In
Riverside Park. It might have been little better
for U.S." replied the Admiral
The Mayor explained that the figures shown
on the model In the office were not TO he fol-
lowed by the sculptor but were merely placed
there to show the position of the groups
Charles T. Barney thought that the committee
should not approve any model without knowing
what the general idea Of the sculpture should
be. J. q A. Ward added that the sculpture told
the story. and was vital part OF the memorial
He did not think that the Commission should
have approved the plan Of the monument with
the provision that MacMonnies or any other one
sculptor should do the sculpturing he remarked
later.
MIR Barney suggested that he would advise
four sculptors. and named MacMonnies, FRENCH
Mr Ward himself and St Gdudens as the four
Mr. Ward replied that ne would insist on being
left out
MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY ANTAGONISTlC.
There was no disc ussion between the members
Of the Commission before the vote was taken.
Mr Barney president Of the Municipal Art so
ciety simply read the resolutions passed at the
meeting u his society for the special holding OF
which the Commission adjourned last week.
These resolutions expressed the opirion OF the
Municipal Art Society that the proposed site OF
the memorial IS not appropriate to a monument
- the character Of the accepted design, and that
some other site should be chosen for Its cree
ton. the Plaza being large and important pub
lie place the establishment OF which should
be ultimately undertaken on a comprehensive
general plan and treated an artistic whole,
and the size ~ the Plaza and the height OF the
buildings surrounding II being such as would
tend 10 dwarf the monument J. q A Wards
resolutions GENT by the Council Of the National
Sculpture Society. and read by him at the last
meeting Of the Commission. were similar 20
these resolutions.
When the opinions Of both societies were be-
fore the Commission. the Mayor asked MS secre-
tary. Mr. Burroughs. 10 prepare a resolution 10
be voted upon. Mr.. Burroughs wrote out the
following Resolved. That the design here pre-
sen,ed b. accepted 70 be erected upon the Plaza
between Fifty-nlnth and sixtieth SITS This
was put TO vote. Mayor strong anu W.
Ieroloman voted AYE" Mr. Barney voted
NO" Mr. Ward simply replied. The sculpture
Society is opposed to the erection In the Plaza
This suggested II Mr. Barney to say that ne
- by
was nor n good one, nor that II should not ne
erected at some other place. He SAID that thr
artistic merit Of the monument dld NOT enter
into the question and that he would be reauy
r. nass uoon II or any other monument for
another SITE.
TO BEGIN AGAIN ANEW.
Navor Stroag said that az the specifications
~ the models had mentioned the Plaza as the
ate II would not be fair to other competitors.
and they might make objections In the courts
~ the committee should make any decision as 10
the erection OF the monument on the design ac-
cetted in any other place The others agreed
with him that the whole matter. II 1t should be
decided 10 make any more efforts for monu-
mcnt should begin over again. without refer-
euce To- the accepted design
I'pon the suggestion OF Mayor strong, the
dosIvn Tor the stone which the Dock Commits
sion decided 10 erect to commemorate the work
done I'm the present administration on uock I'M
nrovements was submitted to the committee.
The committee approved II unanimously me
design ,hows a plain stone feet Inches high.
3 feet 2 inches wide. and ~ inches thick. 10
bear a simple inscription In plain capitals an
nouncinr that the improvement OF the water
'front.' from Charles-st to West Twenty third
st was begun during the administration or
MAYOR strong, by the Dock Department. with
The names Of the Dock Commissioners ap-
pended
CHOSEN TO SUCCEED DR. LANGFORD.