New-York tribune., 1900-08-26
DAMAGED BY VEHICLES.

DAMAGED BY VEHICLES.
IN the rush and hurry of traffic a. that con-
gested centre OF the city wheels grind against
these bases frequently. and as the material OF
which the arch is constructed is OF the firnsiest
nature the wounds left by the wheels are large
and unsightly
The arch was built there for temporary effect
and nor for permarence. Scantng. boards lath
and wire netting form most CT the skeleton upon
which the plaster vas moulded When tbs
wheels knock the plaster and vaitewash of and
expose 70 the view the exceedingly chap char
acter Of tie inner structure the effect IS d;sil-
lusionizlng and not even all thu art II TIE
scuiptors and architects can save the arch from
appearing decidedly second hand and jirrcrack
VISITORS DISAPPOINTED.
Nearly every person in New-Yori who wants
TO sec this famous memento cf Admiral Dewey's
triumphant Homecoming has presumably seen II
By this time. Strangers coming 10 the city for
sightseeing purposes have nearly all studied
pictures of the arch in It's prime ana have also
read glowing descriptions Of its beauty aud
artistic merit. When they actually ser their
eyes upon IL in its present condition, their first
feeling is one Of keen disappointment. Their
second is generally derisiye
rs that the thing" they think, of which we
have heard so much? Is that the kind Of an
enterprise for which the proud city Of New-Yoril
asticaIly? We can easily see that it was beau.
tiful enough in its day. but now that it has
served its purpose why don't they take the old
rubbish heap down and burn it?"
To this natural inquiry the answer generally
is that an effort is being made 10 raise fund 70
reproduce the arch in solid marble in honor OF
the Navy and as permanent addition 10 New
Yorks artistic treasures. The temporary arch
is allowed 10 stand in order that every New
Vr1rLy vrrt7C
that the fund is not yet complete
HOW IT STRIKES A STRANGER.
How much money is required?" the stranger
asks.
Half million dollars" he IS told.
How much has been raised?" is the next
question.
About 100000 has been promised a large
part OF It conditonalIy upon the fund being
completed within twelve months OF the date OF
subscription
How long has it taken to raise the $1,000
Almost year
And this temporary arch is allowed 10 stand
in the hopes that the sight OF IL will draw out
The other S3O0O00?'-
That's the idea"
Has the city spent anything TO keep the tenn
porary arch cean?'
Yes. $1,000 has beeen appropriated for that
Two thousand dollars, Why. that would
clean and whitewash the whole structure from
top 70 bottom couple Of times What was
done with the money! The arch does not look
as II & cent had been laid out on it since II was
first erected One honest charwoman with a
ladder and scrubbing brush. could do more in
a week TO improve that arch rhan the whole
$1,000 seems 10 have done. What became OF the
money!
"Youu have TO ask Tammany Hall what be-
came Of it
Looks as II the whole scheme 10 make the
arch permanent a fat failure doesn't ft2"
asks the stranger. and the avera &c New-YorHer
is forced 20 confess that the stranger has sized
up the situation about right.
TIME IT CAME DOWN.
In fact the public has become pretty well
tired Of seeing the arch standing there month
after month getting dirtier and dirtier. more
clipped and broken and dtshgured and SCARED
as time goes on, and the feeling finds free ex-
preston that II is high time the structure was
pulled down and carted away. The pillars Of
the coIonnade are especially obstructive 10 traf-
Nc They stand close 10 the curb and prevent
cabs and carriages and delivery wagons from
drawing up in front of stores and hotels with
that facility which is needfuL The proprietors
Of the Fifth Avenue Hotel especially and the
stores underneath II. have patiently endured for
almost a year serious incOnTeniences from those
ntIlars and now that the fund seems practically
Al q standstill, and the arch Is no longer a good
dra wing card for subscriptions, many wishes are
expressed that the street may be cleared before
snow falls again
WILLING To HAVE 1T REMOVED.
A Tribune reporter saw Colonel W. c. Church,
OF The Army and Navy Journal" chairman OF