The times., 1899-07-19

A design for the proposed Washington
| Public Library to be erected in Mount
Vernon Square was selected yesterday aft
ernoon. The successful firm of architects
is Ackerman & Ross, of New York. The
idea submitted by them was by far the
most acceptable in the opinion of the sew
en- judges of the competition. 1t was, how
ever, not entirely satisfactory and will
have to undergo certain notifications be-
| fore it can be used.
Considerable difficulty was experienced
in making a selection. No one plan was
wholly and entirely agreeable to the tastes
of the committee on adjudgment. Many
| of the buildings were too expensive. some
it is understood. being elaborate enough
to cost about $500. 600. While these costly
designs were very fine, it was impossible
for the judges to select design that would
require an expenditure of more than $780,.
| 600, the amount donated for the purpose
of erecting a public library, by Andrew
| Carnegie.
The meeting of the seven judges was a
long one. 1t began a few minutes after
2 o'clock and continued until almost
O'Clock. During that time the judges were
closeted in the board room at the District
Building and all other persons other than
attaches of the Library Commission, were
forbidden entrance into the room. News
paper men, particularly, were excluded,
and after the meeting was over a small
statement was issued announcing the mere
fact that the judges had zgreed upon the
design of the New York firm of architects
This statement read as follows;
after careful examination of all the
designs it is found that no one can bs
adopted and built without serious altera--
tions. Nevertheless, nasmuch as the de-
sign marked 13' is most acceptable its
author is appointed architect for the build
ing. The authors of design numbered 49,
are found to be Ackerman & Ross, of New
York City
In considering the more than 200 draw
ings submitted by the competing architects
the judges were entirely in the dark as to
the authors of the various designs. Each
drawing was designated by a secret mark
Accompanying the drawings were enve-
lopes bearing the same marks and contain
ing the names of the various architects
AS stated in The Times yesterday morning
the number of designs remaining in the
competition at the. close of the first ses-
sion of the seven Judges Monday evening
was less than ten" That number was
ascertained yesterday morning to be four.
/, The adjudgment therefore resolved itself
down to a selection of one of the four de-
signs. and as neither was entirely salts
factory, four hours we're spent reaching
conclusion yesterday.
! The successful architects were not among
the number invited by the Commission to
prepare designs for the building. Those
invited were ten in number. They were
Alden & Harlow, Henry Ives Cobb. Hart
well, Richardson & Driver. Hornblower &
/ Marshall. Marsh Peter, Fred D. Owen,
Appleton P. Clark, ir.. w. NJ. Poindexter.
G. X. Thompson, and Wyatt & Noting
Under the law each Of these architects
will receive the sum of $3.50 for his services.
1t was also provided that all outside archi-
2 tects who were desirous of doing so might
submit designs but they were TO receive
, no remuneration unless successful. The
( successful architect or firm of architects
| is to receive per cent of the amount
to be expended on the building. The dona-
tion for Mr.. Carnegie amounts to S3OO,OOO,
7 and the successful architects will receive
s., 900 for their services.
Alderman e Ross having been selected
to serve as the architects of the proposed
structure they will furnish all drawings
and designs required for its construction.
t in addition to personal services during that
e period They will act under the direction
of Bernard r. Green, of the Congressional
Library, who was selected to serve as the
superintendent of construction of the build
| ing The plans will be sent back to
n nouncement that they were the successful
firm, and with a request that they restudy
| and modify their designs in conformity
with the wishes of the Commission. The
Il architects will also proceed at once win
the preparation of complete working draw
ings and the necessary specifications with
: : out delay.
z 1t could not be ascertained what ma
= terial will be used in the accepted de-
u sign, whether stone, marble. or brick. but
{ 1t is believed that marble will be the ma
Il terial used The Commissioners some
: time ago expressed a preference for that
( material, provided the building could be
: constructed in that manner within the lin
i itations of the cost, and provided ample
i area could be furnished under that ar
Il rangement for the practical uses OF mod
= ern circulating and reference library OF
: the best type. The Commission did moi
) commit itself to the use of marble.
The new building will contain a boob
} room. with an approximate floor capacity
c of G 600 square feet and provisions for a
. least 225 600 volumes; lending depart
e ment. containing about 2.20o square feet;
e a public reading room and reference Ii
II brary. containing about 5000 square feet
e a cataloguers' room. containing about SOt
2 square feet; an accessions room, an oper
o shelf room for the display OF new book:
= to which the public may have unobstructei
access, a chiIdrens room, librarian
ROOM reception room. periodical ant
newspaper room, class or lecture room
trustees room, and four special reading
e rooms Among the rooms in the basemen
will he a hacking and delivery room