The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-24
WILL BUILD ON URBAN'S PLAN.
COMMITTEE AGREES TO 1T WITH A
FEW ICATIONS.


ban VIII Confer and Decide Upon
These Alterations - The Changes
That Are Desired-Report of the
Committee VIII BE submitted to n
Joint Meeting of the Two boards
Next Monday AfternoOn-Mr. Ur-
ban's Plan Conforms to the Old
Lines and Gives Four stories.
Committee Thought MIR. MitcOver's
Plan Involved Too Great an En-
pense.
The Chatham Academy will probably be
restored upon its ord lines. A meeting Of
the Joint Committee from the Board of
Trustees of the academy ana the Board
of Education was held yesterday after
noon, in the office of Supt Otis Ashmore.
An agreement was reached that The re-
port of the committee 20 the Two boards
should be made a a meeting 20 be he'd at
the academy Monday afternoon, and that
ii should be for the restoration of the
building in accordance with the plans sub
mitted by Mr.. Henry Urban, after a con-
ference between the architect and Supt.
AshmOre, in the effort TO modify certain
arrangements that are looked upon as de-
fects.
Col. George A. Mercer presided over the
committee meeting. All The members
were present. Representing the Board of
Education were Col Mercer, Mr. Lee Roy
Myers and Mr.. Ashmore. The Board of
Trustees was represented by Capt. II. c.
Cunningham, Mr.. W. L. Clay and Mr..
George C. Freeman
The deliberations of the committee lasted
for about two hours. In their views as
10 the two plans submitted that of Mr..
Urban and that of Mr.. II. w. Whoever,
the members were pretty well divided, the
trustees being for the selection of Mr.. Ur-
bans work and the members of the Board
of Education for Mr.. Witcover's.
An obstacle that was deemed insupera-
bic against the acceptance of MIR. Wit
covers plan was the probable cost, the
Board of Trustees having limited means
with which to restore the building. Mr..
Wfoover offered an estimate of So. eco to
cover the cost of construction, but it was
the belief of the majority of the commit
tee that considerably more money would
he required. Some even went so far as to
say they did not believe the building
could be restored in accordance with Mr..
Witcovers idea for less than S50C00
Mr.. Urban pan was accompanied by an
estimate of $4,000. He believes the cost
viii be covered by that amount. MIR. Wit
cover was seen after the meeting of the
committee and was rather surprised that
there should have been any different view
entertained as TO the cost under his plan.
He said the building could be restored for
less money by his plan than by that of
Mr.. Urban because he allowed for but
three stories while Mr. Urban has pro-
vided for four
The difference in the cost, Mr. Witcover
explained, would be due to the fact of the
construction of the fourth story being
more expensive than the removal of the
lines of the middle wing, as contemplated
in his plan. Instead of having a fourth
story, he says he gives the needed space
in three, thereby obviating expense of
building which becomes proportionately
greater as the work reaches a greater al
utude Carrying mate ial upward to where
it is to be used. Mr.. Whoever saws. is a
considerable item of expenditure in build
ing.
1t is very probable that the committee
would have decided upon Mr. Witcover's
plan had il concurred in his estimate of
the cost All seemed to be of the opinion
mat II would be better to leave the cd
lines in the central wing and remodel it
completely. But the lack of funds to de-
fray what the committee regarded as a
cision to accept Mr.. Urbaus plan for four
stories throughout and adherance TO the
old lines, with the modification that my
be agreed upon.
Mr. G. l.. Norrman's plan was not con-
sidered as it contemplates a practical
sweeping away Of everything now stand
ing on the site and the erection of a new
building. The cost for the execution Of
such plan would be sonnet hing like $780,
Voo and, therefore, in the opinion Of the
trustees, altogether out of the quest on.
Mr. Urban's plan contemplates an en-
trance on the Oglethorpe avenue side in
TO the central wing. There will be no
portico at the entrance nor any architec-
tual decorations 10 relieve the plain effect
There, again, lack of funds arises. and the
trustees are unable TO strive for the orna-
mental.
Since the criticism of the size of his
rooms that was made at the joint meeting
e of the two boards last Wednesday, Mr.
Urban found opportunity to alter his plan
TO increase their dimensions. The proper
tions are not regarded as altogether sat
isfactory, though the desired result has
been achieved and the square feet needed
secured. There yet remains, however a
serious difficulty as to communica lions
within the building. proper provision not
being made for Railways The necessity.
Will exist unless some alteration is vet
possible, of gaining access TO some rooms
through OtnefS.
In the matter of starways there Is also
a change TO be effected Mr.. Urban be-
lieves this will be easily effected. and it
is upon this point and others involving
the proper management of the children
within the building and the observance
of those tactics with crowds of pupils
that are regarded as so necessary for their
safety that Mr.. Ashmore will confer with
the architect.
Lighting and ventilation were not be-
heved by the joint meeting of the boards
TO have been sufficiently wen provided by
Mr.. Urban. In those particulars. too. he
took care to make changes. and it is now
said that there is no difficulty feared ex-
cept IN few OF the rooms of the central
wing
Thirty-two rooms are provided for by
Mr. Urban. The OLD building had but
twenty-five An objection is found in that
there Is no arrangement for an office for
the plincii ais of the schools that will oc-
eupy the building il being often neces-
sary for the chief teacher to have some
room in which TO receive visitors.