The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-24
THE POSTOFFICE PLANS.

Probably the chief reason why there has
been no active public movement in favor
of permitting architects other than those in
official service to submit plans for the new
indianapolis postofice building is the delay
in settling the matter of the site. Until that
Is fully decided upon no drawings can be
made, and, according to all that can be
learned, even at latest accounts, there is
yet a degree of uncertainty as to whether
al of Square 30 will be utilized or not. There
can be no doubt, however. that public senti-
ment favors such measures as will secure
designs of the finest character both in an
architectural and artistic sense. There is
no certainty that this will result if the work
is left to the government architect. The
Journal cannot speak as to Supervising
Architect Taylor's professional qualifica-
tons, but it is a matter of common
knowledge that many public buildings
throughout the country whose plans origi-
mated in the government office are by no
means model structures. 1t is the Journals
impression that the Washington local post
office-a building that is outwardly, at least,
Ola dICilllcCluIdl ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DullI
from official plans. The great National Ii
brary, than which the country has MOTH
ing finer, was designed by a private archi-
tect. Chicago demanded the highest talent
obtainable in connection with its public
building, with a preference for a local man,
and the work was put into the hands of
Henry Ives Cobb without competition.
DIap ratoI, earoo.ol g.
building in New York city from a num-
Der submitted in competition.
Indianapolis should take a stand as firm
as that Of Chicago. The new postoffice will
occupy a very prominent place and should
be an ornament to the city. No expert
mental tests" should be allowed in the case.
Opportunity should be afforded for secur-
ing thoroughly satisfactory designs, and OPP
portunity, also, for local architects to sub
init their work If they care to do so.
indianapolis has some high-class archi-
tects, men undoubtedly competent to do the
work in question, and it would be a graft
ication to local pride if one of them should
be chosen to draw the plans and superin-
tend the work. 1t is true that as a rule the
DeSl dTcnlleclS 10 not OIlen care 10 enter
into competition. The draughting of plans
is a matter Of time and expense, and they
find that. too often. the right of decision is
In the hands of men utterly incompetent
to judge intelligently of the designs laid
before them. 1t occasionally happens. too,
that other considerations than the merit of
the plans govern the choice. But in a case of
this kind. where the plans would be sub
mitted to a committee OF expert architects
who could have no personal bias in the mat
ter. competition is on a different footing.
No one need hesitate to go into 1t, and 1t
is TO be hoped that If plans are to be sub
mitted the best Indianapolis architects will
be represented.
On behalf OF the Indianapolis public the
Journal extends distinct and positive assur-
ance TO Assistant Secretary Taylor and 10
Supervising Architect Taylor that it will
not be satisfied with ''any old" plans the
department may send, but that IL wants a
chance to get the best the country can af-
ford.