The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-23
Lively Interview mt Which the Sem
ator "Read the Riot Act. to sHodv
and j. N. Taylor.
PROMISES FINALLY MADE
THAT THE WISHES OF INDIANAPOL-
ITANs WOULD BE CONSULTED.
Work on the Plans to BE Dropped un-
III the People Interested Are Heard
From-Fairbanks Tells q story.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Nov. Ex-senator Fair-
banks had an important and almost sensa-
tional interview to-day with Mr.. "Hod'
Taylor, assistant secretary OF the treasury.
The senator had learned to his establishments
that the supervising architect was actively
engaged in the preparation Of plans for the
Indianapolis building. although Assistant
Secretary Taylor, in an interview only about
ten days ago, had stated that work on the
plans would not begin until the site for the
building had been formally transferred TO
the government and 1t had been determined
precisely how much of the ground would be
needed. Assistant secretary Taylor made
this statement to the Journal correspond
ent, and there could be no mistaking the
language he used or its intent. In that In
terview he said. also. that outside archi-
tects would not be asked TO compete. but
that the building would be planned and con-
structed by the supervising architect OF the
treasury.
The announcement in this semi-of1ciat
manner that nothing would be done on the
plans until the government had come into
possession of the site, and knowing that
this formality would not take place for sew.
eral weeks, those who had hoped for COM
petition laid back, although intending at the
proper time to ask that outside architects
be allowed to compete for the building. By
accident the discovery was made that. re-
gardless of this understanding. the archi-
tect's office of the Treasury Department has
already begun drawing plans. Senator Fair
banks accordingly called on fhe assistant
secretary to-day, determined to obtain from
him a statement or the departments tnten-
tiops and the status Of the case.
To nd
that work on the plans really had been
commenced.
A PERTINENT QUESTION.
But how about the understanding that
the plans would not be drawn until the site
had passed into poss, ss.sn OF the govern-
ment?" inquired the senator.
Mr. Taylor admitted that such had bee1
| the original intention, but that he had
| learned shortly after making the announce
ment that 1T would not be necessary TO walt
and that the supervising architect might be-
gin at once. Under his instructions. there
| fore, the draughtsmen in the Office Of the
supervising architect had set to work.
Senator Fairbanks did not. he might
have done, charge that an attempt was be-
| ing made to take snap judgment In the mat
| ter, but he did say that Immediately after
| the passage Of the bill authorizing the con-
| struction of the building and appropriating
| the money for 1t he had Informed the de-
partment that Indianapolis would ask for
competition in order that there might be
choice Of special plans. He said, furthers
that an understanding had been reached
with Assistant Secretary Spaulding. who
had the architects Office under his control
then. and also with Supervising Architects
Taylor, that nothing would be done on the
plans until the people of Indianapolis had
been given an opportunity to signify wheth-
er or not they wanted competition. Since
| that time Assistant Secretary Taylor was
| appointed to the position he now holds and
| given charge OF the public buildings. The
| assistant secretary said he had not been ads
| vised Of any such understanding, and, inas>
| much as the people Of Indianapolis had not
1 taken any action In the matter, he had
taken 1t for granted that they were willing
the work should be done by the government
| direct.
| The supervising architect was called In at
| this stage, and, in response to direct inter-
| rogatories by Senator Fairbanks, confirmed
| his statement in regard TO an understanding
about beginning work on the plans. He did
not say why, In view OF this fact. he had
| not informed the assistant secretary OF the
| agreement, although Senator Fairbanks re-
minded him that while he (the architecO
| was in indianapolis he had been made aware
there was a desire for competition. The
senator again refrained from the use OF the
| offensive words snap Judgment" although
| warranted by the facts In making the ac>
| cusation.
| WHY HE CHANGED HIS MIND.
The assistant secretary defended his
course in the matter by saying II was the
| desire of the department TO make test OF
results in new buildings under the competi-
tive plan and by the government. He said
| TO the senator that the plans for the new
buildings at Cleveland. New York and Ball
timore had been thrown open TO compesi-
| tion and that he had decided to erect the
Indianapolis building under the other plan.
Senator Fairbanks said he had no obtec-
| ton to a test OF the kind being made. but
that he wanted the government architect TO
| do his experimenting on the other fellows
He thought the test could be made just as
well on Baltimore. Cleveland or New York
| as Indianapolis
But they wanted competition" exc
claimed the assistant secretary.
$50 do We" replied the senator. "and We
| have just as much right 10 IL as they have.
| At least Indianapolis must be given the
chance 10 express herself In the matter, and
| to Indicate under which plan of operation
| she would like 10 have the building erected.
| now formally prefer. on behalf OF the
| people OF Indianapolis a demand that they
| be given time 10 say what they want II IA
| their right. and IL IS In accordance with the
previous understanding with this depart.
ment that they have such opportunity"
| The assistant secretary hoisted the white
nag at this juncture. anc said that, under