The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-28
THE DEWEY ARCH.


Credit for the idea OF erecting the splendid
arch in Madison Square which with it's courts
OF honor ON the north and south will be the
oentr. OF the festivities In honor OF the great
Admirals home coming belongs to Mr.. Charles
r. Lamb This gentleman. who has served
Reyeral tsrms ns Vice President Of the Archi-
tectural League OF New York. Ia q decorative
design r by profe .sion and is well known In
artistic circles AZ an enthusiastic worker and
capable manager in enterprises requiring good
artistic Judgment, hard work and staying
power Credit for the general design OF the
arch and the conception OF the work In the
rough AZ well as the elaboration Of the arohi-
tsctural forms in the large sense Of construc-
ton and in detail also belongs to Mr. Lamb.
When il was settled that Admiral Dewey
would land ia our city and New York deter
mined to make his arrival the occasion for
demonstration in his honor worthy OF our efeat
munioipality and the whole country. Mr.. Lamb
went with his project for q trium phal arch to
MI. O. A. Ward. the veteran sculptor who 10
President OF the National Sculpture Society.
and asked his opinion OF the feasibility OF the
plan and the prospect OF enlistng the sculptors
in the work. Evidently without their co0psra-
ton. without much self sacrifice and without
great enthusiasm and unanimity on their part
there could be no arch. Mr.. Ward approved
would be quite possible to get the sculptors to
give their time and talent to the work though
some of them were out OF town and others were
very busily engaged on various public
and private commissions 1t was felt at
this point that the principal obstacle In
the way OF the realization OF the
project might be the question OF money.
Would the city vote the appropriation needed
for such an undertaking. Could the authori-
ties be convinced OF the desirability Of endors-
ing IL and seeing IL through. and could the
,culptors In the short time ahead Of them be
counted upon to create such groups and figures
as the design II worthily executed. called for.
and could the designs be enlarged and modelled
in staff and plaster, placed in position and all
the structure itself. its ornament and covering.
groups. figures. reliefs aud medallions-be put
together and com pleted by the time set for the
celebration? To mako long story as short as
possible. almost insuperable difficulties have
been overcome. The President Of the Sculp
ture Society did not call In vain upon the artists
and they responded with quick and patriotic
heartiness to the demand for their services.
The city officials and the committees In charge
Of the celebration took up the plan. whom
definite project in the shape OF a model OF the
arch with its groups in place and estimates OF
It's cost we're presented, with enthusiasm and
since the construction began in order to
facilitate the work OF the architect and the
sculptors and ensure the success Of the arch.
In this con ection 1t is worthy OF remark that
MIR. Lamb was frequently assured by old hands
among the contractors that no money could be
got from the city without tedious delays, but.
especially through the efforts OF Com ptroller
Coler and President GuRgenheimer ways have
been found to overcome troublesome obstacles
and tho artists have been aided and supported
all through the work in every way possible
The managers Of the Madison Square Garden
whore all the work OF enlarging the models
was carried on previous to the time when the
work OF construction and establishment was
transferred to the arch itsef. were equally
courteous and equally appreciative OF the
great artistic enterprise. They gave the base
msnt OF their great building free OF charge for
the work Thus with the seulptors working in
unison land attention must be called to this
fact. for. in . work OF such dimensions
and with 30 many differing temperaments in
tho artistic body. 1t 10 rare exam pie OF profess
sional cooperation and hurried achievements
with admirably successful results). with the
contractors spurred on to notable activity and
with modsllers and plasterers carpenters and
other artisans all sparing no effort under intel
ligent. persistent and all-smbracinR direction.
tho WohA oh Viz be"ey oish aoo osooNiJ wv
crossed. 1t will be ready for the march under
its beautiful mass. covered with noble alleaor-
ical groups aud figures OF heroes. OF Admiral
Dewey and his men OF the Olympia and all the
accompanying captains and sscortinR men at
arms. The city may we'll feel proud OF 1t. 1t Is
fine In every respect. 1t fulhls its purpose a.
a decorative creation ana II could not have
been erected. considering all the conditions. In
any other place than In the town where 1t
standa. While shortnem OF time Tor exc
cution 10 one OF tho evil conditions
that confront American artists In almost
ell the commissions they are called upon to
FILL the brief space OF time which has elapsed
since 1t was decided to build this arch and tho
date when 1t Is finished will no doubt excite ad-
miration on the part OF our hurry-loving peo-
pie. But the arch 10 temporary decorative
structure. 1t was not designed AZ permanent
monument ana whereas mad this been the
case. dozen com promises with accepted artis-
tic oanons would have been i'm possible, 1t has
here been hitting to make them In the Efforts
to make the arch Mt In with certain inconRru-
an r n n o. N n anti ~