New-York tribune., 1903-03-07
FIGURE WORE Il HAT.
SeUenty-fUe Sculpture Details for
Records Hall Rejected.
BIG MURAL DECORATIONS DEMANDED.


The committee on mural painting and the
Sculptors' Society ip the Fine Arts Federation
have determined to take hand in the further
arrangements for the completion of the Sc, ,00O,-
600 Hall Of Records, the decorative features Of
which have brought about strained relations be-
tween Horgan & Slattery, the architects, and
H. K. Bush-Brown, the sculptor, on side
and the Municipal Art Commission the other.
meeting Of the Fine Arts Federation has been
called for Monday night at the home Of the
federation, in West Fifty-seventh-st. It is ex-
pected that the federation will formulate some
sort Of request for the city authorities to pro-
vide comprehensive plan for the sculpture for
the building.
The mural painters have decided to insist on
liberal appropriation for historical repre-
sentations for the main corridors Of the build
ing, and it is said that two Of the subjects will
be the purchase of Manhattan Island from the
Indians and Washington taking leave Of his
generals at Fraunces' Tavern. The Municipal
Art Commission is in favor of the historical
mural paintings, and it is understood that the
commission has told Mayor Low that 100000
should be devoted to this feature Of the deco
rative work.
1t WAS learned yesterday that Arthur J. Hor
gan, Of Horgan & Slattery, architects for the
building, called Gil Mayor Low on Thursday
afternoon. 1t is said that the Mayor told Mr.
Horgan that the city officials would insist
work Of the highest grade in decorating the
building. Mr.. Horgan is understood to nave
sured the Mayor that his firm would do it's
utmost to complete the building along artistic
lines.
Meanwhile, H. K. Bush-Brown is having a
hard time with the Art Commission. His
friends do not try to conceal their deep seated
hostility toward the commission, and assert that
when the proper time comes the sculptor will
have something 10 say. Mr. Bush-Brown has
submitted about one hundred and fifty sculpture
details to the commission, and more than half
of them have been returned to him marked
''Disapproved." The sculptor has made correc-
tions and changes .whe-e suggested by the COM
mission, but SO many Of his studies have been
disapproved that he tells his friends that great
injustice is being done him.
One of the drawings submitted to the commits
sion by the architects and the sculptor repre-
sented an heroic male figure in sitting posture.
his head surmounted by hat extremely modern
in its shape and position. The commission could
see no call for the hat, and disapproved the
drawing The sculptor submitted the drawing
for one of the large groups, and the legs Of the
man did not suit the commission, which disap-
proved the drawing Since then Mr.. Bush
Brown has not submitted drawings for the large
groups. Representatives of the Fine Arts Fed
Grafton saw Horgan & Sattery this week. and 1t
was said last night that Mr.. Horgan had prom
ised the federation that he would heartily CO.
operate in finishing the work on the building in
a manner pleasing to the most severe critics
John Peirce. the contractor, said that ne Wouid
be heartily glad when the Art Commission ana
architects allowed him to go ahead and hnish
the building The Controllers Office is withhold
ing about 100000 on the contract. and this
sum is dra wing no interest It is said that Mr..
Peirce will have big bill for supplemental
work because of stoppages on the order OF the
city authorities. When asked about the lack OF
a time limit IN the contract, he said:
Tine first contract had a time limit In 1t.
was to complete the work In ABOUT nSe e hunoreo
and ffty davs from December 1, 1897. There
were innumerable delays during the Van Wyck
administration, and Just as many under this
adr1inistration and the work Is a long way from
heing done It isn't my fault would be only
too glad to get it out of the way and get my
money out of it,"