New-York tribune., 1907-11-10

ton of $4,000 The building as II stands to-day is
practically the same structure as was planned 10
the price of just such ornamental work that in
question that able to reduce the cost Out
OF the money given us for this contract it was i'm
possible to 20 10 any very great expense for stat
uary and sculpture. While the conception Of the
work Is not that OF ST.. Gaudens it is good honest
WoIk; carefully selected to suit the building. and
Two or three years ago, when the statuary and
out the prices asked We're prohibtive- Finally we
The designs are no; great but they are good.
Though there Is great deal of bass-reef work
upon three faCades Of the building the most elab-
oraie is over the portico at the main entrance IN
large pedimont which surmounts the columns OF
the portico is the most pCetentious piece and mas
centrepiece. ON either side o, the pedimeut are
ornamental cupolas. the doues Of which are sup
ported by sculptured caryauds. while immediately
over the apex OF the pediment is large ngure.
DOCK ~ stone weighing about nine tons Iue noli
Of these aleGorical figures l. good The large cen
queen borough OF the greater city while the caryat-
1ds upon etnsr sde represent the lesser o@T"IElS
tan holds the staff of authority. while IN the l~it
chair upon which she is sea; ed are decorated with
reproductions of the old Roman fasce indicative of
tended represent the horoughs of The BronX
snd hrooklyn and on her eft are two more t5l3ile
hEures typu5tnG the boroughs OF queens ana f''c"-
mond ,.,-- -...-.,.-...- .-....., Co.
urss is hoidtrg TSbleT. upon which the name Of
the borough : carved When they were trst com
word Brooklyn but that mistake has been cor
reCted. The Carvatids were carved after the Sfo1"
was placed in position upon the building and the
central figure. representing Manhattan. was exc
cUted in the contractors yard. I'm East I'd street
and placed in its present position U'oT" Jnan a
year
owing 10 the excavations which are peing mace
i'm Centre for the subway loon We have
been unable complete the main entrance. but
there large stone lions. some six feet Ions,
that have been carved and are ready To he placed
in position upon the coping of the stoup- These
pieces will not utilized until this matter is set
tied.
When you consider all the vicissituies anu de
lays consequent upon the different changes OF city
administration that the work of erecting this build
ing has gone through some conception can De- had
OF the difficulties under winch both the contractors
and ourselves have been iaboring- TIE interior
arrangement Of the building, For instance mas been
changed 10y each Police Commissioner who mas
taken office. and there have been three or them
since the plans first approved by the CITY
Now the work is being still further DELAYED 10y the
necessity Of underpinning the foundations on ac-
count OF tho subway excavations Yet. with alt
this the building will be completed and handed
over to the city for . cost within the amount OF
the approximation voted four years aSC-
The Ar Commission may have the power I"
order the Statuary and sculptures 10 be taken down
from the building but II II does il viii ue a cosby
business for the city. No matter what II does. the
contractors VIII insist being paid Tor the worn
that has already been installed