The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-18
Hopes to Devise Method for Pre-
senting Them to Public and
Obtaining Verdict.
WILL ACT UNDER NEW CHARTER
Message to Council Advocates
Commission of Architects to Ex-
anime All Public Buildings
and Report Needed Repairs.

Under the recently adopted Charter
amendment the city is authorized to submit
to the voters at any time proposition to
increase the municipal bonded Indebtedness
Tor public work of a permanent character
Mayor Wells is giving this matter close
attention. with the object of devisins. some
method for presenting 1t intelieentiy to the
citizens and obtaining their verdict at n
comparatively early date. He is of the
opinion that the proposition should he plain
" stated, in 4 thorough and impartial man
me-. so that every one may understand it.
The Mayor is inclined toward the appoint
mcnt OF commission of architects to ex-
anime MI public buildings and report on the
improvements needed and their cost His
message TO the Council yesterday. advocat-
ing such Il step. is expected to bear fru-
ition shortly.
Plans and reports relative to necessary
sewer work will be submitted by the Sewer
Department and the Board of Public I'M
provements. while the prosecution of bou!e-
ward and park Fstem improvements may
ne lhtrusted TO a commission similar 10 the
hings Highway Commission.
AS the ST. Louis Chapter of the American
institute of Architects volunteered a wear
ago TO lend its efforts to the New ST Iouis
movement. and as the Civic Improvement
LeasUe which is advocating the appoint-
ment Of permanent park and boulevard
commission. aided the Kings highway prof.
ect' the city Will likely have no difficulty in
obtaining expert technical advice.
DELAY IN ELECTION.
special election on bond-issue promo
s'lioh can scarcely be held in less than five
months under any circumstances as the
strict provisions of the new election law
VIII heceSsitate delay, owing to routine ra-
quieinents in preparing for an election
mayor Wells thinks 1t might be well to
nave the proposed commissions aopointos
at once. make their inyestica tions and s,,b-
init tier reports and recommendations az
so2n as possible. But he is DISPOSED 10 he.
HeNe that ii might be better not to besir
'he improvements until after the close OF
the Exposition. when the cost of labor ard
materials would be reduced and when the
WORK could be carried 10 completion with
out Interruption. However. he has no.
reached an ultimate conclusion TO this ef-
iect' for the reason that additions 10 public
buildings are really necessary and he IS rot
sure that delay in proceeding should he
couutenanced
The principal difficulty that / see" said
the Mayor. lies in developing some plan for
presenting the proposition TO the citizens in
a manner that would make 1t clear. We
must show what work is necessary. WHY IT
is necessary. how 1t should be done. how
much it would cost
Inc contemplated improvements NAV be
divided into three classes. sewer work ad-
ditiors and alterations TO public buildings,
plans for and the construction of boule-
wards. We know what sewer work is needed.
The plans are prepared; the estimates are
at hand. The Sewer Department is so or
sanized that We Go not have to look out
side fer suggestions. We know. too. that
the public buildings are in sorry condi-
tion, and that, unless plans and system are
arranged, the proposed boulevard improve
rIents may fail Of realization, or be made
without recourse to system
Il have come TO no definite decision as
yet as to what course We shall pursue in
regard to building and boulevard projects
However. l think the taxpayers would pre-
fer TO have the advice and ideas of reliable,
expert technicists. 1t would be a gcN plan
TO have permanent park and boulevard
commission like the Kings Highway Com
mission. The report of that commission
was admirable. and offers valuable sugges-
tions. If a permanent commission were ap-
pointed the recommendations of the original
commission could be fulfilled faster and
more satisfactorily
COMMISSION OF ARCHITECTS.
We should have a comprehensive report
on the condition Of public buildings, stat
ing what improvements are necessary and
what they would cost. believe that we
nnt.lI do 1,at.n
mission of architects for this purpose. Then
the subject would be treated fully and we'll.
There is still another question that con-
Germs me very much. Would 1t be better,
prosuming that the voters sanction the i'm
proyemcnts. 10 begin the work as soon as
possible? Or would it be better to postpone
operations until after the close of the
Worlds Fair? We should arrange as soon
as possible for the issuance of bonds. with
the consent of the voters. But. might it
not be better TO begin the actual work after
the Exposition?
BY waiting we might put up the build
ings at less cost and maintain a balance in
employment. Both the cost of material and
labor may be reduced after the close of the
Expedition. and we might experience less
difficulty in getting mechanics. On the other
hand engagements ard repairs TO public
buildings are absolutely Necessary. 1t is
only a matter of months when the proposed
Improvements will become imperative.
There. in its entirety, is the problem that
we must consider.
so far l have arrived at no final con-
cluson concerning this all-important sub
ject. 1 mention these points merely to in
d.cate that the problem requires close study.
Sentiment is one thing, business another. l
am considering the question In all its
phases. and hope to devise some method OF
presenting 1t to the citizens in plain and
thorough manner"
NOTICE!