The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-08

McKim, Meade & White, who stand at the very head of the profession of architecture. Mir. Lockwood first laid the problem before MT. Sawyer in the way I have stated. Afterwards MT. Sawyer in like manner presented 1t to MT. Mcaonigle and subsequently, 1t was in like manner presented to Mir. Me- Kim. Mir. McGonisle's approval of the two-story plan was endorsed on the drawings upon which he had consid- before us. Mir. Sawyer's views, writ ten out by himself are as follows:
 July 21, 1905.
 Notes on design by Frank Lockwood architect, Montgomery. Ala. for the additions and alterations to the capi- tol of Alabama.
 ' In attempting the solution of such a delicate problem as the additions to the capitol present. there were number of points of fundamental importance to be borne in mind. It was necessary to provide certain rooms. occupying def1- mite areas and spaces, properly ar ranged. The building or wings con- taining these rooms must be built at a very reasonable cost; but, however. sat- isfactory the interior arrangement, however economical the plan. no scheme could be acceptable to the au- thorities or the people of Alabama unless 1t preserved with scrupulous care the essential features of the pres ent building. and insured also Its rela- tive importance and predominance over any parts which may be added to 1t.
 While all the features of the old building are not uniformly good, it is a very interesting structure and has about 1t those associations of senti- ment and history which 1t is so desir- able to preserve. The columns of the central portico are charming in their colonial modification of the Greek pro- totype, and Mir. Lockwood has been fortunate in hitting so accurately up on the exact character given by the simplicity. dignity and sentiment OK pressed in the old design.
 The two-story wings are we'll sub- ordinated, and. while the area of the original building Is almost CD doubled its individuality Is not only maintain ed but enormously increased.
 Opinion of Mir. McKim.
 That the scheme receives the uu- qualified approval of MT. Charles F. McKim (of McKim. Mead and White). who has just finished the restoration of the White House. and who is our
 
 leave no doubt in our minds as to the satisfactory character. 2S
 MT. sawye: also wrote the follow ing letter to Mir. Lockwood inclosing a letter from Mir. McKim:
 July 2f, 1905.
 "My Dear Mir Lockwood--I beg to enclose herewith a note from Mir. Nc Kim which Ihardly think could be inn proved It Is necessary to explain what he means by alternate sketches. In order that he should judge fairly and without bias. I made another It, tie sgd scale study Oike yours of the two-story wings) with three story wings. so that he had them equally presented to him. without any sugges' tion on my part. and I did not tell him at all which scheme 1t was your tnten- ton to use until after he had fully ex' pressed his opinion.
 Mir. McKim suggested the introduce tion of small flat domes or lantern: where the flag poles are over the cen ter of each wing, In order to triangu late with the big dome and give som' sense of depth to the wings, he wal very complimentary indeed regarding the little study and said he thought th' building admirable in proportion ant design. The dome. of course, need! study, and he showed me an inexpen sive little block model. with no detai at all, which he Is using to study thu size and height of the dome upon; thu sort of model which would, think. b. invaluable to you when you get to tha point. I have considerable affection however, as I told you. for your ol' dome, and I should consider the propo sition very thoroughly before displac ing 1t. Sincerely yours,
 'Philip Sawyer"
 Letter of McKim.
 And this Is the letter of Mir. McKim New York, July 20. 1905.
 Dear Mir Sawyer-I have been muci interested in looking over MT. Lock woods alternate sketches for the pro posed wings of the capitol building O the State of Alabama, which you hav' been kind enough to show me. .-.
 "In response to your request for al expression of opinion. have no hesi tation in saying that the scheme show ing wings of two stories In height Is in my judgment in every way, both il proportion and in relation to the cen tral building, superior to any schem in which the facade represents thre' features of equal height. thereby dis turbing the commanding character O the present building.
 "The history of architecture is full 0 examples or HhHhlhS oiuoiS ol AOSSV dimensions, and feel confident that should this scheme be carried into ex ecution, the people of Alabama wil have every cause for congratuiation.
 Tt stands to reason that the wing should be subordinated to the centra building, and. unless they are so de signed. the whole composition will suf fer Yours very truly.
 Charles F. McKim"
 Of course I can add nothing to tn force of these opinions of these emi nent architects. Being as they are a the very head of the profession in thi country, it would seem in all reasol that their opinions should be conclu sive upon the question.
 Mir Smith seems in way to hay partially recognized the danger o swamping the old capitol by three story wings and to have sought t avoid 1t by setting his wings littl back from the front line of the presen building; but It is not the opinion O @ = ETNU 00AH EN NXYNEnC