New-York tribune., 1907-12-31
CITY'S NEW YEAR GIFT.
Mrs. Sage to Haze Governors Room
IN City Hall Restored.

y becan,a known at the City Hall yesterday
that Mrs Sage had recently sent to the city ah-
thoritfes letter offering toshave the Governor S
Room in the City Hall restored to It's oFSlnai
condition at her expense This offer mas peeh
accepted, receiving the sanction of the Mayor
the Borough President and the Municipal Ar'
Commission which will be responsible for the
approval of the plans Mrs. Sage's letter Is as
follows:
I am interested in the complete and setls-
factory restoration of the Governors loom Ia
the City Hail as one Of the most important MS
torical rooms in the city.
understand that the changes recently mace
have not been satisfactory to the city authorl-
ties but that there is no city money presently
available to restore this room, well its dec
Grafton and furniture, substantially TO lhe
original condition. .
Under these circumstances. If II be approprl-
ate for me to have this done at my expense,
will be glad to pay the necessary aIrount, Mnlcn
l understand will not exceed $4,000 at the most
provided these restorations be carried out Pni-
suant to contracts and plans tc oe appfoFeu py
the Art Commission of the City of New 1oth
and be completed according to such plans, TO De
evidenced by their certfcate
Robert W. De Forest. president Of the Art
Commission, said yesterday in regard TO the
offer:
Mrs. sage's generous offer will enable the
city authorities to proceed Immediately with the
restoration of this historic The original
plans Of the City Hall have been recently
found in the custody of the Historical Society,
and these plans are believed to give sufficient
detail to make the purposed changes complete
restoration
Some months ago the Borough President. Mr..
Ahearn, employed McKim, Mead & White 10
make plans for changes in this room, and these
plans were approved by the Art Commission as
preliminary plans. Since that time the original
plans Of the City Hall have come to life. The
Borough President, in spite of his efforts. was
not able to get the necessary appropriation of
city money: the room had been recently put
in order. the objection was made to any pres
ent expenditure Of city money for this purpose,
which from merely structural. as distin-
guished from an artistic, point Of view was not
necessary. Mrs. Sage's timely gift has bridsed
that difficulty
The preparation Of plans will be under the d.
rection of a special committee, consisting of
Frank D. Millet. Arnold W. Drummer, Waiter
Cook, John B. Pine and Robert w De Forest
All Of them at present members OF the Art
Commission except Mr.. Cook. who recently re-
signed to become city architect. The plans.
when prepared by this committee. will be pre-
sented for approval by the Art Commission,
which alone has Jurisdiction under the charter
to pass on them. and they will be carried
out under the direction of this committee to the
satisfaction of the Art Commission
1t is understood that the restoration Will be
restricted the ceilings and walls as most or the
historic furniture including Washingtons DESK
is still in the room in good condition MT. De
Forest expects that the room will be finished IN
six months.
Controller Metz said last night that he was
onnosed to receiving Mrs. Sage's gift for the
refurnishing of the Governors room.
With all respect Mrs. Sage, l don't see
whv she feels called on to give the city money
for such purpose" said the Controller The
city IS perfectly able TO hire competent archi-
tects and workmen for the remodelling and re-
furnishing of the Governors room. l have
heard that the Mayor has already accepted the
gift Perhaps nothing more can be done about
it, but if have anything to say about IT in the
Board of Estimate / shall oppose receiving the
money. Let Mrs. Sage give the money TO one
of the hospitals. where 1t will do more practical
good than in remodelling a room in the City
Hall, the of which certainly ought to be
considered a fixed charge on the city"