New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-07
TIE LIFE OF SKYSCR4PERS.
A NETWORK ARCHITECT DISPUTES THE
ASSERTIONS OF GENERAL SOOYSMITH

A NlzW-YORK ARCHITECT DISPUTES THE
ASSERTIONS OF GENERAL sOoYsM1TH
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: So many millions Of money have been ana
are being invested in so-calIed skyserapcrs that
the report Of a recent speech by General Sooys1nitl
before the Chicago Real Estate Eoard OF TRADE 20
the effect that the steel framework on many OF
the big buildings left free the action OF the
air and gases which circulate through the tile ana
a space about the STEEL and the steel. though
painted with oil only withstands the corrodng
process three years, and within a rev years INC
sl,yscraper will fall and that the steel frame
work embedded in concrete, however, will last two
thousand years. may cause many tiInc sous 10
flee from these buildings when there is no danger.
! desire give publicity IN as marked a manner
to statements OF different engineers who are floul-
fling and explaining the generals speech. by quot
ing from a letter in the current INSURANCE Eii-
glneeriug Magazine.
Henry W. Hodge. who is a recognized authorliF'
SAYS: The best buildings here On New-forkl
will stand for thousand years as Ear as COT
roofing steel concerned. The steel columns ana
orders are incased IN brick the interstices OF
which are filed with mortar. For steel to rust IL
"a essential that dampress get it. and that there
be alternating intervals OF WEI and dry around it.
This state Of affairs is impossible in our noucfh
New-York buildings"
Another consulting engineer says: AS TO tie
donser from cerrcsioI. that Is to-day practically
eliminated
IN 1875 II is reported that General Sooysmith had
a nightmare about elcctrolysis. Among
other things lie said: II DISPUTE the claim That
sc incnt Is az insri&1uT. q It's essential eie'
T:.lita bCin% Gn3laAcd IiIue. which IS not only Il
conductor but. much more important. cAo Of the
i.rclieat kno~.i ibzcrb"ats Of moisture Edward
AtEif,sor WHO - = well known expert and also
;trc idaat OF TIE Boston Manufacturers Mutual
Sire Insurance Company, states: Ashes absorb
n,;t:,t from TIE tTcosL here. aud as just stated,
.i,rrr &. iicdRe says: For steel 10 rust IL Is
.aso.tIaI Ia: ,'.Tapress Lrt 10 it." Mr. Atkinson
.,nst!v M: q" fuCT. of cases III when cor
rosoIl has SGT in vcIy rapidly on gaspipes and on
.,lGca . ,tlil tended IGr foundations, OWING 70
.olrc. - qualities IN IN" concrete In Whieh theJ
were embedded" Yet General Sooysmith ventures
u assert 'f,-at concrete tof which both cement
and ashes r;rlnenS) will preserve steel frame
Yrorl for thousand years
As sIIec asGed in Il issue of The American
Architect: 1t would be = comparatively easy
matter TO uncover one at "a time, the nrSt story
columns Of such a building. and replace them, II
1,acessary with others. better designed This. OF
course does not refer to steel columns surrounded
t,r masonry IN the best manner, but in the man
rcr commonly employed This could be done now,
Without exciting the apprehension Of tenants
So far as the architectural profession Is con-
cerred its members would like to know more
ditions on which the durability of the modern
mixed construction Of iron and masonry depends.
50 that they can provide more intelligently for
their future buildings and, II necessary, direct
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT operations in connection with eN-
listing ones and thus remove the apprehension or
rneasiness GEORGE MARTIN HUSS.
Nnu-Vnrk Anri1 3 1902