The times., 1899-07-20

The Library Commission will today con-
fer with Ackerman & Ross. OF New York,
the firm OF architects chosen last Tuesday
to be the designers and architects of the
building The meeting will be held at
the District Building some time during the
morning. The exact hour cannot be stated,
owing to the fact that Albert Randolph
Ross, one of the two architects, will not ar
rivo until this morning.
William S. Ackerman, the senior member
OF the firm. arrived early yesterday morn
ing and registered at the Hotel Raleigh.
AS soon as he received the despatch which
informed him that his firm had won the
competition he took fast train TO Wash
ington He called at the District Build
ing early, almost before the Commission
ers had arrived.
A short conference was held, at which
a meeting was arranged for today. Ber-
nard r. Green, of the Congressional LII
brary, will be present.
The members of the Commission will eX-
plain the changes desired in the plans for
the building, after which the architects will
return to New York and prepare complete
working drawings for the structure. They
will be asked to do this as quickly as pos
sible in order that bids may be invited
from contractors and the new building be-
gun at the earliest possible date.
The Commissioners are delighted with
the energy thus far shown by the archi-
tects. They believe it augurs well for
speedy completion of the building. Il was
ability and energy that they were seeking
when they invited architects to compete,
and although they were entirely ignorant
of the personality of the authors OF the
plans and had to do much as the child does
at the bazaar frog pond and trust to
chance they are well satisfied with results
notwithstanding that the successful design
was designated by the unlucky number
thirteen.
The career of the firm of Alderman d
Ross has been very successful, although
both are young men. Mr.. Acloerman is
graduate OF the Stephens Institute OF Tech
nology at Hoboken and bears the degree OF
mechanical engineer. He has been identi-
fed with engineering work in Colorado ana
was for three years chief engineer OF the
National Lead Company Of New York
City.
Mr.. Ross was for nine years associated
with the well known firm of McKim. Mead
& White, of New York. one of the most
prominent firms OF architects in the coun-
try. and is well known in New York for
his architectural ability. He spent eighteen
months abroad and the results of his stud
les during this period were, upon his re-
turn, made the subject of an exhibition be-
fore the Beaux Arts Society Of Architects.
of New York, in 1894 and 1895. The opin-
ion Of the society regarding his work is
shown by the following card OF invitation
issued for the exhibition:
.sRy the courtesy of the Architectural
League there will be held in their rooms,
American Fine Arts Society Building, 2l5
West Fifty-seventh Street, a free exhihi-
tion of architectural drawings made in
France, Italy, and Greece. by Albert Ran
dolph Ross. to commence February and
continue two weeks.
This remarkable collection is considered
by the society Cunder whose auspices it is
exhibited) to be the best ever shown in
this country for purity, style, and selection
OF subjects, and it is hoped that an appre-
citation for really good drawings will be
shown by a large attendance.
''WM A. BORING, President"
Messrs. Ackerman c Ross were in the
competition, held about a year ago. for the
Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Jersey
City, in connection with Martini. the sculp-
tor. Their design for the pedestal was ac-
cepted over forty-one competitors. The
contest was adjudged by Messrs. J. O. A
Ward, Daniel C. French, Herbert Adams.
and George B. Post, committee OF the
National Sculpture Society. This work has
received highly commendatory notices from
the architectural papers.
Mr. Ackerman spoke freely when seen
by.a Times reporter at his hotel last
night He asserted that the firm OF which
he is member had no possible objections
to having the drawings of the accepted
design made public through the press.
This statement was made in reply to a
query whether they would SO object. The
Library Commission has persistently re-
fused to allow the newspapers to have
photographs made Of its successful draw
ings. The only excuse offered by the
Commission is that the design viii have
to be modified. and the impression has
been conveyed that the exterior of the
| building would have to be altered very
radically. Mr.. Ackerman told the re-
! porter that he understood that no very
| great change would have to be made on
! the exterior Of the proposed building The
| French renaissance style of architecture
( is the kind employed in the accepted de-
| signs. The building will be Of white mar
| bic. with plain lines on the ends. With
| the possible exception of some sculpture
on the front of the building the exterior.
| Mr.. Ackerman said. would, he under
stood. scarcely be changed
The principal alterations" he said.
will be made in the book shelving of the
first and second floors. If the changes are
all minor though important ones. as we
understand them to be, it will not require
many weeks to complete the modinca-
tions.
1T is understood that several months
will be required in which to make the
working drawings. Enough duplicates will
have to be made to supply about thirty
, contractors before any bidding can bC
done. 1t is very probable. If this be true
that work will not be begun on the build.
ing before fall