New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
FACADE OF THE NEW CUSTOM HOUSE BOWLING GREEN.

divisions with each other and the Collectors office
same floor. possible. AS these divisions require
large floor space have assignee, them hen 10 [9e
this level; tkis permits the closest centralza-
ton. and while making them all Immediately &C
cessible the brokers, shiPmasters ana that por-
ton OF the pubic VINO daiy transacI oae 80
these divisions they are IN easure Isoliteu
and uninterrupted by the very large number OF the
public and Of the employees OF other divisions pass
ing through the building using the elevators De
tween the various stories - 800, =, ,ooaxa
the rotunda at the ground floor level II cou!o De
done by reassignment OF space without rnateria!
alteration OF the plan though after careful STUDY
OF the operation of business in the Custom House
posed would be more serviceable
The STORAGE OF RECORDS.
call special attention TO the placing Of the
ords for the various divisions and notes referring 10
this matter in the schedule Of floor space herewith
storage departments In general have considered
The storage OF TsS0I9S ana 6%e so treated them
placing the records OF each division 9hoeI me
charge OF q bureau Of distribution and control,
with a complete service OF elevators, mis- aho
can De greatly extended II the business IN me
future demands II; ,o -. 80, sone1,ts
If looms and floor space viii show that all the re
quireTnents Of the programme have Deeh hlieo ID
I would say that while the details have been
carefully considered II IS Inevitable that. in many
respects both in plan and exterior. they could be
Department should this design be selected
a
II appears most desirable that this building. To-
the greatest in the world. II the entrance OF
the greatest port of our country should De given
should De large even gTanG3se @ t no sTr1i
by. II should be so impressive py reason
actual size that il should be truly a monument;
Il has been my sincere efIoT 10 pToanSe S1g al
necessities OF the structure. -
While giving fun attention TO practical features
OF the Treasury VINO mas a 1-!seeI, ~ a-cri-
lecture in this country will not be unwilling 10 lei
tea I5nsr he present Administration express SO
FAR as may be the character which Is appropriate
70 q great Government building.
The following statement was also given out:
The award Of the expert commission appointed
BIZ the Secretary OF the Treasury TO pass upon the
merits of the design IN the competition TOR the
NewYork Custom House was sPpT6g E y ysqs an
pointing Gass Gilbert architect for the building
SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT.
Since that date Nj Gil II has been in conference
and with the Treasury Department in washington
in regard 10 the assignment Of space &IIo see
the same time the Treasury OepartIn1ent mas Pre- rte
Government which signed and delIEereea On
January 2s 1900 the design having been previous
approved by the ca inet Boaro WISH
eraI and the Secretary OF the Interior
In discussing the work Mr.. Gilbert says;
king these designs the probleih was -
sidered from a serious STANDPOINT - - a "a
government building, which while Eaylng d z zen
60 r-s~t{caI pIrpose should express IN us acorn
11er, Something Of the wealth and Injury OF Llle
T.0rr oFN and have dlgIllly tppIU-
70 notable public monument nat ~ sIloCl-
B. sincere and straightforward IN THIS eXprtsslol4
Element Of first Importance r or lilstd4Iet
= vast dome eVidencing q great pIace U i5,
J,Iaga. enormous COlumnar pOrJlcer eAc4uu4Is
int and many OLner cisllHiii4
TcbftecrIIraj motifs in my opinion whoy SlI
-. s11oh structure, ana therefore itiSS
lvT,rsssior for this reason nor AlieIHpNs--
urged since the coH-peliloI w
-.t,-eraJ~ some otheTwise) tnat TINS Dulidlle
9to,,f4 - a dome | nOt considered TINS
arorgh o warrant reply hltheIlo Du'
no. a. well express my views IIsfeoh al lis llHIe
5I- 49,, be--fTp been suggested II - urged tiat
,ro17IT andmark rising above the htlshDo4-
y y S - :. ~ seen from great distance.
- -,,c|I LAM we're bOl4t Il .Wouiu nave 20
LIN aT5t,t 20O feet the air aie rise 70 4 helsnt
~ ~ least 40 feet IN order 10 ot elIectIEt as
oyL-s,-,.srLs Tt,fs would wholly destroy the pro
4al.tL-l1 -, I--IdtDg per and matter OF
~ practical usefulness II
Pi--i5 a. - sarne time be wholly Ialse as an eA-
,1rassion Of The use and pufpose y. LalS 81 ~
besides increasing the cost - js TscsSss ~ :, ts
e-PiIttsa +bat Great tower, rising from the north
pJsH'D.s 80 - could adapted 20 the design
80 nigh rrOyid for record sIor Ase 5lgnaI ser
10 and Weather Bureau. - -
pro- ~ cost Viewing the problem from
- standuofnr Of the redutr - ~ ~
,-raST1rr T4-rarfmenf. all OF "nln 4ts Isasollipae
IrehSlis - ac-1r7on sense and with a view 20
ana Dtss- o. DC 1850 appropriated for this struct-
,tre such features may wen ~
TO BE SIX STORIES HIGH
.-be building vii be six stories nigh not ineud55
~ fhe basement II VIII Ds aI - Iesisi. 80
ing ~, and viii provide ample space for the