New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-04
GILBERT THE ARCHITECT.
SECRETARY GAGE SETTLES THE Gus
TOM HOUSE CONTROVERSY.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE !

Washington Nov. 3.-Secretary Gage to-day
confirmed the selection OF Cass Gilbert as archi-
tect OF the new Custom House building In New
York, and declined 10 grant the request OF SEN
ator Plat and certain NewYork architects that
q new commission be appointed 10 pass on the
plans again. Mr.. Gilbert will at once begin the
work Of preparing for the erection Of the Custom
House building. The plans are to be altered to
suit the Treasury Department.
Assistant Secretary Taylor, In discussing the
matter, said to-day:
There has been an unusual interest taken In
this matter, and the final decision was arrived
at only after the most thorough investigation OF
all the acts Of the Commission. When II was
known that the report was favorable TO the So.
lection OF Mr.. Gilbert prominent public men on
New-YOrk entered a protest against the APP
prevail OF the report Nine Of the competing
architects filed protest with the President, ask
Ing that the report Of the Commission be set
aside and a new commission appointed. although
one OF the nine protestants subsequently tele-
graphed the Department that his firms name
appeared upon the protest by mistake. some or
the statements In the protest were Incorrect ana
none Of them were sufficiently definite 10 carry
conviction. Rumors were repeated ana insinua-
tons made affecting both the ability and integ-
rity OF some members Of the Commission. but no
facts were presented In substantiation or the
rumors and insnuatiOns.
A FULL HEARING GIVEN.
The report Of the Commission was made some
time ago TO me- but as Secretary Gage was
absent action was delayed at the request Oh
prominent citizens Of New-York until MS re-
turn In order that all parties might bee heard
and the fullest discussion had as 10 the methods
and report Of the Commission, l Invited all tNe
competitors To present 70 the Secretary either
verbally or in writing, their opinions as 10
whether or not the report OF rhe Commission
should be approved and the reasons Tor their
conclusions. Answers were received from al. o.
the competitors except two. Nine. lncltulhS MI II,
Gilbert favored approving the report. Fight
protested against its approval. and one made no
Recommendation. All OF the competitors OUTSIDE
OF New York favored approval In New or x
one-half Of the competitors favored disapproVal,
and the other half either favored approval or
made no recommendations. The chapters OK
the American Institute Of Architects In New
York and Philadelphia both recommended 'he
approval OF the report
1t is noteworthy that many Of the protestants.
while Directing 70 the methods and decision OF
the Commission. spoke In the highest terms OF
the integrity and professional ability or MT I'll
bert All parties were given the fullest hearing,
both by Secretary Gage and myself ana all
papers submitted had the most careful con-
alteration The Commission was organized
strictly In compliance with law. and all Of It's
proceedings were regular and In accprdaho"
with the Treasury regulations NO objections
were made 70 the membership or the 'oi'hiis
sion until after the award had been made. al
though all Of the competitors were notiiied De,
fore submitting their designs as TO who mad
been selected upon the Commission
To set aside the report Of commission
regularly constituted. the organization OF which
was acqulesced In by all the competitors would
have been n remarkable proceeding ana an APP
parently unwarranted reflection upon the cntr-
acter and methods Of the Commissioners IT the
Protest II 2 minority ~ the competitors VINO
had been unsuccessful or any local reasons had
been permitted To influence the decision or the
Department IN this case. then II would eeeHl
useless 70 attempt hereafter 20 select archltects
/ in accordance with the provisions OF law.