The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-08-06
ess valuable depending upon the experts

less valuable depending upon the experts
qualification.
A man may have been educated to the
medical profession and set himself up as
doctor, but If he has never had any
practice his opinion Is of less value than
that of a doctor who has had large prac-
tice. And SO In greater degree the opin-
ion of man who sets himself up as
doctor but who has had no medical educa-
ton and has had no practice would be
discounted, indeed would be excluded alto
gether. Now l understand that Mr.. Lock-
wood was educated to the profession OF
architecture and trained in its practice.
He has high reputation as an architect.
has practiced the profession for a num-
Der of years, and score of handsome build
ings In Montgomery and elsewhere bear
testimony to his professional learning
and talent. / am not advised that Mr..
Smith was educated or trained to the
profession of architecture. MY informa-
ton is that he was educated for the pro-
fesson of civil engineering, and that UNI
til within three or four years his activities
have been addressed to the construction
of railroad bridges and the like and to
the superintendent of the construction
of railway stations and the like designed
by other men. Since he took up archi-
lecture / am not advised that his prac-
tice has been very extensive. So far as
/ know, the only example of his archi-
lecture in Montgomery, or elsewhere for
that matter, is the Montgomery Adver-
tiser building, and it would require an
incredible credulity to find in that build
ing any evidence of architectural learn
ing or talent. So that the judges very
naturally gave more weight to Mr.. Lock-
woods opinion favoring two-story wings
than to Mr. Smiths opposing view
Milburn's Opinion.
The architect before the commission
whose opinion on this particular matter
was entitled to the greatest consideration
on account of his greater experience was
Mr.. Milburn of South Carolina. He has
designed a great many public edifices.
The capitols of Florida and of South
Carolina have been remodeled on plans
made by him, and his plans for the en-
largement of the capitol of North Caro-
lima have been adopted. His opinion was
most decided that the ends we all had in
view could only be met by wings Of two
stories. He accordingly submitted draw
ings for wings of that character. An en-
craving from picture of the capitol as
1t would appear when his plan is exc
cuted, has been published in your paper.
II shows a very beautiful ensemble Of
wings and main building with the lat
ter imposingly dominating the whole, a
picture far more attractive and satisfying
than similar picture of the Smith three
story scheme Mr.. Lockwood's scheme as
shown by a like picture accompanying
this article will be equally beautiful and
In some greater degree maintain the dom
nance Of the present building; and as
we have seen. is superior in interior ar
rangement. Moreover, Mr.. Milburns plan
contemplates the ultimate removal of the
Confederate monument to the front OF
the capitol. That abstractly might be
well enough that Is, the monument might
well enough have been placed at first In
front of the capitol. But the noble wom
en- of the state with untiring energy and
zeal, and loyalty to the heroes of the lost
cause had builded this lofty and grace
full column where 1t stands. and the re-
vered hands of the chieftain of the Con-
federacy had laid its corner stone, and we
felt that 1t would be in the nature of
sacrilege to now disturb 1t. Its removal
is not proposed by Mr.. Lockwood.
We knew nothing of the professional
standing or capacity of the other COM
peting architects except from their plans,
and as their plans were not acceptable
we felt under no constraint to accept
opinions indicated by them.
Some Unbiased Opinions.
Since the adoption by us of the two
story plan of Mr. Lockwood the unbiased
opinion of three of the leading architects
of this country have been separately
taken on the question whether the archi-
tectural result desired by all and set
forth In the programme of the COMPETE
ton could be best attained by two-story
or by three story wings. I say unbiased
opinion, because neither Of the gentlemen
referred to knew at the time that either
plan had been adopted or that the person
who submitted the problem favored either
scheme over the other In each case too
the opinion was arrived at and expressed
after a study of the photographs OF the
present capitol, and drawing OF 1t with
wings of two stories, and other drawings
with wings of three stories, so that the
opinion given in each instance was de-
liberate and studied. and not off-hand or
perfunctory The architects referred to are
Mr.. Sawyer, Of the firm of York & Saw
yer Mr.. A. " McGonigle and Mr.. Nc
Kim. the head Of the great firm Of Me-
Kim, Meade & White, who stand at the
very head of the profession Of archtec-
ture. Mr. Lockwood first laid the prob
lem before Mr.. Sawyer in the way l
have stated Afterwards Mr.. Sawyer In
like manner presented 1t to Mr.. Nc
Gonigle and subsequently 1t was In like
manner presented to Mr.. McKim. Mr.. Nc
Gonigle's approval Of the two-story plan
was endorsed on the drawings upon which
he had considered the question. but which
are not before us. Mr.. Sawyers views.
written out by himself are as follows:
July a. 1906.
Notes on design by Frank Lockwood.
architect, Montgomery. Ala, for the adj
dltions and alterations to the capitol Of
Alabama.
In attempting the solution Of such
delicate problem as the additions to the
capitol present, there were number OF
points OF fundamental Importance to be