New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-21
REFER CARNEGIE OFFER.
CIVIL ENGINEERS B4LK.
TO VOte by Letter on acceptance Of
Gift for Union Building.

Individual members OF the American Society
CT Civil Engineers at the annual meeting yester-
day expressed strong disapproval of the condi-
tons attached to Andrew Carnegie's offer of
81, 100000 for a union engineering building for
it with three other engineering societies. 1t was
finally resolved that a letter ballot should be
taken to be canvassed at the society's meeting
on March 2
a member OF the club who has been in close
touch with the course of the discussion said last
night that he believed the vote would be two TO
one against accepting the offer.
The meeting was called TO order at Carnegie
Lyceum with an attendance of nearly one thou
sand members. The scheme met with bitter
opposition from many of the members, being
variously branded as a Mormon marriage"
a "morganatic alliance" and q "shipbuilding
trust."After an exhaustive report on the pro-
posed gift had been read by the secretary. it
was learned that the finances Of the American
Society of Civil Engineers. the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers, the American Insu-
tute of Mining Engineers, the American Inst-
tute OF Electrical Engineers and the Engineers
Club must be segregated for the support OF the
building.
Robert Cartwright, of Rochester, said that the
suggestion that the civil engineers affiliate with
the other societies named in the matter Of a
union building savored of a Mormon marriage.
e. c. Olcott said that, while all scientific insti-
tutions recognized the benefits of cooperation
he thought some features OF the proposal were
wrong. John F. O'Rourke and George w. Sterne
suggested the sending out of a letter ballot, and
the resolution was adopted
Mr.. Carnegie made his offer TO the societies
February II. 1903 The proposition was that
they should purchase a lot on Thirty-ntnth-st.
between Fifth and Sixth aves.. and adjoining in
the lot on Fortieth-st, owned by the
American Society of Civil Engineers. 1t Is on
this lot that it is proposed to erect the building
The subject was referred TO a conference .om-
mittee os the members of the organizations.
which recommended the acceptance Of the prop
osition. The title to the property IL was recon-
mended, should rest in executive corporation
created by special act of the legislature, 10 be
composed of twelve persons. selected from the
constituent organizations. The purchase money
for the lot to be obtained by sale Of the
bonds OF the executive corporation, each society
to have the right to purchase them at par
An adequate building is 10 be erected by Mr.
Carnegie on the adjoining lots which front on
Fortieth-st., and will be similarly conveyed to
the Engineers Club.
It is said that representatives of the societies.
well the Engineers Club favor the COM
plete physical separation OF the two buildings
While Mr.. Carnegie has never formally ac-
ceded TO this. there is little doubt of his ac-
quiescence.
The following officers of the society were
elected: President, Charles Hermany of Louis
Vile. KY; vice-presidents. F. S. Curtis of Bos-
ton, and S. l. F. Deyo of New-York; treasurer
James NJ. Knap. of New-York; directors
Charles F. Gowen, of Ossining, N Y; n. P
Lewis of New-York; James w Ellis of Pough-
keepsie y. Y; George S. Webster Of Philadel-
phia; Ralph Modjesk. of Chicago, and Charles
d Marx OF Stamford University, California In
the evening a reception was held at the club
house. No. 220 West Fifty-seventh-st.