Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-03-01

ated by the Gilbert plans. For ex
ample, the Koch plans were marked
so per cent. on fidelity to program a
to number Of stories" when the pro
gram called fc FIVE stories and thu
Koch plans provided FIVE stories. The
/ speaker read a strong adverse criG
cism of the new Minnesota capitol
the work of Cass Gilbert. 1t said
that the great building was beautifu
and success in the matter of arr
and large expense, but wretched
failure in point of utility.
II. Koch, one of the three competinq
/ architects, charged that MI Eames
had deceived the commission. setting
forth the fact that Mr. Gilbert had ut
terly disregarded the terms of the pro
gram and had planned departments
I sometimes three times as large as
called for by the pr. gram. notwith
standing the limitation that no in,
crease Of more than 10 per cent. on the
program Dimensions should be n AIDE
I The Program called for plain draw
ings without accessories or embellish-
ments 10 make the plans more beauti-
full or attractive, but Mr.. GiBert's
plans were highly co1ored, were ex-
{ ceedingly elaborate, in direct viola
ton of the program and rules laid
down by the commission. Mr. Koch
pointed out in detail the extensive dis
crepancies of the Gilbert plaus from
the dimension stipulated In the pro
gram.
Justice Marshall interrupted when
Mr.. Koch stated the fact that the Gil
bert plan called for a larger building
than the capitol at Washington M
Koch based his figures on a letter
from the superintendent of the CAPT
toll and Justice Marshall based his on
officially published documents. Each
held to his own figures.
Architect Ferry Of the firm of Ferry
& Clas of Milwaukee presented the pro-
test and arguments Of that firm, max.
ing substantially the same representa-.
tions as Messrs. Austin and Kocn
Justice Winslow, III answer to ques-
tiOns, explained that none of the
plans answered the requirements OF
the program with reference to the
number of stories None of the
plans submitted, he said proposed
four stories-the Gilbert plans three.
the Ferry e Clas plans three and an
attic and the Koch plans three and
what might be termed an attic. In
reference TO the statement that the
Gilbert plan called for building larg-
er than the capitol at Washington.
Justice Marshall explained that the
Wisconsin capitol is proposed to ac-
commodate all the departments OF the
state government while in the capitol
at Washington only the senate and
house of representative With the SUI
prem court for a viii onger, but
that all over the city OF Washington
are scattered great buildings for the
various departments of the govern.
ment
The matter Of adverse newspaper
criticism Of the Minnesota capitoI
was effectively treated by Governor
La Toilette by the simple reading Of
letters from Governor Johnson. Sanat-
or Nelson, the state auditor the chief
fire warden. superintendent of banks,
secretary of state and various other
officers Of Minnesota, all speaking ex.
ceedingly highly of Mr. Gilbert and of
his achievements in the Minnesota
state capitol Justice Marshall said
that the commission had not by A.,
means arrived at its decision wholly
on the judgment of Mr.. Eames. but
had carefully examined both Mr..
Eames report ana himself and also
had the testimony of numerous other
competent architects He also spoke
kindly Of a number Of serious depart
Ures from the program made by the
plans of the unsuccessful compel 'ng
architects. He spoke of the unlimit-
ed industry with which the commits
sioners had devoted themselves to the
problem with which the legislature
and the governor had burdened them
Respecting the general criticism Of
departure from the program. Justice
Marshall said that If the program was
taken as law not one of the three
plans submitted colrld be considered.
Senator McGillivray created a bit
Of a furoTe by exhibiting several
yards Of figures and getting close to a
personal argument with Justice Mar
shall as to the size Of the building.
cost to build and merit Of the pro-
posed structure. Senator McGilliyray
wanted 70 know why Cass Gilbert
should be hired as architect and JUS
tice Wirslow replied that he would Sc
cure tie services Of Cass Gilbert be
cause he had shown himself by his
architectural achievements 10 be a
great architect Of monumental govern
mental buildings and had demonstrat-
ed that he was the best available man
20 build the Wisconsin capitol. as
shown by the competitive plans sub
mitted Senator McGilliyray closed
the hearing with a speech against fhe
plans of Cass Gilbert, basing his OBJ
iections on departures from the plans
Girls Agree to Die.
Superior. Wis. Feb. 24.--"We are
tired Of life" was the only reason as
signed by Emice Waldruff and Lizzie