New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-08
CALLED 4 DISSERTATION.
objections to City Hall Cleaning
To BE Dropped.

Regarding the criticisms on the work OF cleaning
Tue exterior of the City Hall by the sand blast
method. Borough President Ahearn said yesterday
'i@t II he had known there would be any objection
MADE an opportunity would have been given TO
protest against it, The contract had been adver-
used Tor ten days the work was now half done.
ana Mr. Ahearn's judgment was that it would not
injure the building
Edward Hagaman Hall secretary OF the Ameri-
can Scenic and Historic Preservation Society de-
clared that the sand blasting had gone so
Iar that for the sake uniformity of appearance
tue society would not attempt to prevent further
work The subject. however would be referred to
the executive committee with a view 70 controlling
such work in the future
MT Hall asked II IL was not within the province
OF the Municipal Art Commission TO control opera
''ohs OF this sort The mellowing Effect Of time on
building one hundred years old was one element
VI us beauty, he said and II seemed to him as
sreat dissertation 70 remove It by a sand blast
as II would be to remove the color which bronze
statute acquired with age
MI Hall went to say:
- II It is not at present within the covers OF the
commission to control like this would it
enlargement of It's powers or the creation of some
win epar ITent or bureau of the city government
Durlng the last administration our society con-
continent Of Iantor IN regard to the APP
"a tivaS gr u commission composed OF represen-
taxiEeS from this society and the New-York His
of inscriptions designed 10 he put UPON pu5Iic
monuments and tablets and TO verify the sites
mater was considered favorably by the Mayor but
tIe commission appointed and our
soCiety Is now acting informally for individuals
dfiu other societies that contemplate the erection
OF historical tablets in verifying their inscriptions
II seems TO US that this is one of the things that
Wlthlh the Jurisdiction Of the commission or Of
some other commission officer vet to be created
,,Agaih the custody Of historic buildings such as
Nashngton.s Headquarters, now owned BY
CITY and others which might be mentioned ought
70 De IN charge or some specific authority familiar
WIN their history. The city has owned the
WashinStons Headquarters Jumel Mansonl a
year put 1t stands vacant and is not properly fur
hisLed or utilized as an historical monument.
monuments EistOrique.' which a government
bureau systematically cares for all buildings Off
ClaIty designated historic monuments II
mas power to purchase and condemn property and
70 control the beauty snd disposition Of every build
ing registered as Monument Historique' in pri-
Vdte ownership. Such commission in this city
WoulQ prevent the destruction mutiIatiOn Of a
ouldlng, such as Frances Tavern (aIready
Hlouelltd out of Its original seTnbIance). or the
ancient Billopp House. on Staten Island 1t would
alSo nave the power TO control the modAca ton Of
pubic buildings Ike the City Hall if once regis
tered as an historic monument"
lie late president of this society also
plateq the creation Of office which should CORE
Spond locally to the State official called the State
historian London has q City Remembrance.
whose title suggests a similar function. A city
abused city Library. in the City Hall and who
should be the curator Of the historic monuments
or the city Statues, tablets and buildings would
be a most valuable funCttOnary connected with
s0Ch q commission. If he We're chosen on account
OF ms merits and not for political favor