Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-15
MUNICIPAL BUILDING.
One Member Of Successful Architects
Firm il Dead.

An Interesting circumstance Is connected
with the award Of the commission to exc
cute the plans for the new municipal build
Ing of the District Of Columbia to the firm
of Cope & Stewardsou. architects Of Phiia-
delphia.
When the board Of award decided last
Friday in favor Of the set OF plans known
as No 3, submitted In the competition be-
tween twelve Of the leading architects and
firms of the country, the sealed envelope
containing the name of the successful au-
thors of the design was forwarded to the
District building commission unopened
The envelope when opened contained the
simple words Cope & Stewardson.
Mr.. Waiter Cope. the senior memDer OF
the firm, died at his home in Philadel-
phia about three weeks ago. after the plans
had been completed and were In shape for
transmission to the board of award here
Just what effect the death OF MIR. Cope
will have upon the awarding OF the con-
tract for the plans to this firm Is not
known, but it is believed that the nrm
will continue and that the surviving part
ner. with such assistance as he may
choose, will take up the work and carry 1t
through to completion.
The commission has not formally notified
the firm of Cope & Stewardson OF the ac-
ceptance of their designs and Of their ap-
pointment as architects for the new home
for the District government. Unth TINS Is
done and Mr.. Stewardson Is heard from
there will be no definite knowledge as to
the future situation. The building commits
sion believes that the firm will continue, as
stated and will execute the plans.
Based upon cost Of 100000. the archi-
tect fees including supervision Of the build
ing would amount to $4,000, the fee pre-
scribed for such work by the American In
stitute Of Architects being per cent of the
cost of the structure. AS the Commission
ers are hopeful of securing an additional
appropriation, and as it Is believed that the
ultimate cost of the new building will not
be under s1,500,000 at least the architect
fees will amount to about $4,000.
Mr.. Cope was an eminent authority OF
building matters municipal. 1t was stated
that he has done more to cultivate higher
art in the erection Of city buildings, per-
haps than any other architect Of the day.
He has executed the designs Of many large
city structures. and was considered an
authority on such matters He had given
much time and study to that particular
branch.
He was deeply interested in bringing the
city halls out Of the ordinary and making
them ornamental and impressive in char
acter.
In view of his specially in this direction
the acceptance Of his plans was more than
interesting. All the designs were judged
without knowledge on the part OF the board
of award as to their authors.
Mr.. Cope was before the Senate parking
commission when the elaborate plans pre-
scented to Congress at the last session were
under consideration His interest in and his
deep study of municipal architecture made
him a valuable expert witness for the COM
mission to consult.
Mr. Cope was one of the organizers OF the
American Institute Of Architects and was
highly esteemed by his associates In the
profession. Mr.. Stewardson of the firm
is also very prominent in architectural mat
tiers.