The Washington times., 1902-04-18
CLAIMS OF LIBRARY
ARCHITECTS HEARD
Colonel Smithmeyer and Mr..
Pelz Ask for S175,OOO.
Case Presented by George c. Gorham-
House Committee Takes Matter
! Under Amusement.

The House Committee on Claims yes
terday began consideration of the claims
of Col. John l.. Smithmeyer and Mr.. Pau
]. Pelz. the architects of the Congress
sional Library. Colonel Smithmeyer
and Mr.. PeIz undertook the work o.
drafting the plans for this superb struc-
ture in 1873. and 1t stands today as al
enduring monument to their genius ant
skill.
When their designs were accepted. esti
mating the cost of the Library at $1,000
900. Messrs. Smithmeyer and Pelz made
demand for compensation of $1I5,00O, be-
ing 21z per cent. and based upon the
rule of the American Institute of Archi-
tects.
Their claim now is and long has been
that they did not receive this amount OF
compensation, to which they were en-
titled. Both are now quite well ad-
yanced in years.
History of the Case.
Their case was presented to the COM
mittee yesterday by Hon. George C. Cor
ham. He explained how the plans of
Mcssrs. Pelz and Smithmeyer were finally
accepted, and a commission created to
carry on the construction of the Library
building the claimants plans being deliv-
cred to this commission and their employ
laent then ceasing.
Six months later Colonel Smithmeyer
was appointed supervising architect of the
construction of the building at salary
Of $1,000. with Pelz as assistant at a
SaIary of SO nn0
Mr.. Gorham explained the 2H percent
age the architects were entitled to under
the laws of their institute.
Under a former decision OF the Court
of Claims" continued Mr.. Gorham, the
Indebtedness to the claimants of Sl59, 200
was cut down to SIS 600 because six
months after they had earned the larger
amount and were fully entitled to it, they
had, in an evil hour, accepted further en-
ployment by the Government as archi-
tects in the construction of the building
at the salaries named.
Il would call the attention of the COM
mittee most emphatically to this condi-
ton of affairs and emphasize the fact
there was no suggestion that by accept
ing these salaries they would surrender
$i11 200 for which they had served twelve
years"
Mr.. Gorham said that his clients were
not asked TO waive any portion of their
claim and they certainly did not volun-
tarily make the Government present of
SO large an amount of money as Sl1l 200.
He characterized such an action. if done
consciously. as the act Of an insane per-
sen.
He made a very important point when
he directed TO the committees notice the
result Of the Court of Claims investiga-
tions bearing on the expenses of an archi-
tact's Office which they found was usual
ly about 50 per cent of the gross receipts.
Expenses Larger Than Award.
In this case" argued Mr. Gorham.
the expenses Of the claimants would on
that basis have been $19.GO0. s31, eco more
than the judgment rendered in their favor
by the Court of Claims
al do not think. gentlemen" said Mr.
Gorham earnestly. that any honest man
would consent, to enjoy the benefit OF
such an aercident as | have described, and
it seems reasonable to suppose that the
Government would be unwilling to retain
in its Treasur money which in good faith
and fairness and equity belongs TO the
claimants.Y sa
Mr Gorham. to illustrate how his eli
cnts had suffered from circumlocution
methods. said that the judgment for S4S.
600 rendered By the Court of Claims in
favor of the claimants was paid in March
1892. nineteen years after the claimants
commenced their work on the plans and
seven wears after these same plans were
adopted by Congress and used in the con
structiun of the building.
Colonel Smithmeyer also made a brief
statement in his own behalf. and the
committee took the claim under advise
ment.