New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-16
THE CARRARA QUARRLES.
SENATOR PROCTOR SAID TO BE AFTER
THE FAMOUS MARBLE PRO
DUCING PROPERTY.

A dtspateh from Rome printed yesterday morn
ing, makes the announcement that Senator Red
field Proctor Of Vermont is negotiating for the
purchase of the entire group of quarries from which
the famous Carrara marble is obtained. The re-
port which is received with some degree OF mere
duity among marble importers Of this city, Is in
teresting because 1t italian industry OF
which few details generally known, although
the name OF its product is IN everyday use. The
ouarries Of Monte Sagro, in the neighborhood Of
Carrara in Tuscany, were celebrated far back
as the days of the Roman Empire for the pure
white marbles obtained from them for statuary. 1t
is probable that nearly all the statues still extant
Of what is called the Greco-Roman period includ-
ing the copies by Greek artists made in the time of
the Caesars from the worlds greatest masterpieces
OF sculpture. chiselled from Carrara blocks.
AS few Of the originals Of these works have sur
vived the vicissitudes OF twenty-three centuries
that have elapsed since their creation the civilized
world is under incaculable obligations to the quar-
ries which have furnished the material for the pres
ervation of their forms
One apparent reason for the hesitation with which
the report OF Senator Proctors purchase has been
received is that the numerous quarries compre-
hensivey known Carrara marble quarries are
the property of a considerable number OF individ-
uals Among the exporters of Carrara marble
only firm is said to be the owner Of the quar-
ries which it works this being the firm which
supplies most of the statuary and other fine Car
rara marble used for interior decorative work in
this country. 1t should also be borne in mind that
the mountain in that region is. TO the phrase
OF New-York importer. "only Just scratched" in
spite of the centuries Of exploitation TO which II
has been subjected. Not oil Of the marble of that
district. however. Is OF the quality considered fit
for in sculpture. According one authority
the stock of statuary marble strictly known as
such has been exhausted FOR commercial purposes
so that 1t would not now be safe to enter into a
contract for the delivery Of block OF such marble
of any great size. The next best grade of which a
reliable supply is obtainable for statuary is that
known as Blanc P" Other grades or brands
are the 60. F." the IF. NJ" and the IF S."
the last available only for ordinary interior work.
not for statuary. AS much four thousand cubic
dfet tho OF shS The sae 70 De me actual output
OF statuary marble are It's extreme hardness and
panes Of cleavage SO that BID m natural D
direction as in another and its freedom from col
difficulty in supplying material for large statues
is to find block of sufficient size possessing the
necessary qualifications in all It's parts hence the
price Of block at the quarries Is extremely arbi-
ample. costing much more than five times the cost
Of block OF equally good quality measuring only
Il is characteristic that the methods of quarry
G E s pr To the AmercaH a'' R aEf ey
would let do their quarrying for them said a
BY using up TO date methods me such things og
instance as drills Of contemporary design are ap-
parently unknown at Carrara. The laborer hews
away with a pick and skaters huge masses OF
debris in all directions The blocks once extracted
from the mountain side are allowed 10 tumble as
await transportation. either TO Leghorn to the
Marina of Carara to some other port for ship
ment. Only a part OF the mountain Is supplied
with railroad facilities. the Massa auarries which
still furnish the best statuary marble though In
limited quantities, still employing the OK cart OF
antiquity
The small city OF Carrsra with a population OF
some ten thousand souls. ia the headquarters OF a
garrison OF from 100 10 500 soldiers a fact sig
nihcant Of the light in which it's Inhabitants are
regarded by the Italian Government. These quar-
ries have been. in fact, for many years hotbed OF
anarchy. and the Carrara duarrymen played part
In the popular rising OF five six years ago from
the penalties OF which OF them have only
lately been delivered by the general amnesty issued
upon the accession OF King Victor Emmanuel III