New-York tribune., 1908-03-27
THE BOSS-ARCHITECT.

The DEVELOPMENT of the Bronx Courthouse is
doubtless being awaited with breathless interest
in artistic circles for il is reasonable TO Sup
pose-that it will mark the beginning of a dis
tinctiye type and will relieve America from the
reproach of borrowing its architectural ideas
from the classic, the Gothic and the Renaissance
buildings of Europe. Whatever Mike" Garvin
does with the million dollar pile that he is ex-
cogiiating he surely will not borrow inspiration
from foreign sources. for would it not cost him
his lob as district leader to be caught in any
such un-Americau proceeding: From Mike It
is reasonable to expect the evolution of true
Bronx type of architecture, and the Bronx
Courthouse is Mikes first big building the
results are looked forward TO with impatience
by artists and architects
We say that Mike will proceed in a bold
and individual manner. which is certain to
found a new school, with the greater confidence
because his native originality has never been
spojIed by a soourn in the Beaux Arts in
anv of the limitations of that institution which
have been set up in this Slavish land. ana the
freshness of his talents has not been diminished
by the contemplation i'll The Bronx of struct-
ureS erected in accordance with the false taste
Of worshippers of things 'furrin.' The archi-
lecture OF The Bronx is mainly pure Bronx.
and Mikes training is best described by him
self Commissioner Mitcile asking him about
his qualifications for being architect OF a mill
ion-dolar public building. wanted to know If
he graduate Of a college or architectural
school and Mike" answered No" But he had
worked four wears in an architects office-a
Bronx architects Office. feel sure-and be
sides he bad also walked about good deal
and looked at buildings. tYOu have TO walk
about a good deal TO look at buildings in The
Bronx, in addition, Mike" might have said
ts,.
of President Haffens machine. training that
peculiarly fits him TO be the founder of the
coming Brcnx school Of architecture He didn't.
though That was his modesty, the typical
Bronx modesty.
All new schools of architecture have pro
ceeded from just such beginnings Mike de
scrbes-fr0m men who serve their apprentice
ship 10 their art in ateiiers of local and dis
tinctive artists who do not dull their distinctive
ness by foreign borrowings. The ateliers of The
Bronx are certainly the most distinctive in this
country Yol will usually find them in little
kiosks situate at the intersection Of streets in
unbut sections Of The borough. On the win
dow ia large letters the words, let us say.
"N. Y SmithjOneS & Co, Real Estate: on Il
small sign in corner, much like physicians
sign. is the announcement. N. Y. Smthjones
Architect. Smthjones has houses and apart
ments to rent. houses for sale. vacant lots for
sale; he procures and offers loans mort cages
he will design your house for you if you wish
10 build. and be is particularly generous in the
matter OF obtaining large second mortgages for
you if you purchase from him.
In this aeler there is also ii youth attaining
TO manhood. In the winter he attends the coal
stove diligently. and when ladies come in who
express desire TO see nice. $2S fat he is
intrusted with the keys and sales forth and
shows the flats offered for that rent Thus he
serves constantly in the realm OF art and his
duties call upon him to walk about good deal
and look at buildings" Unfortunately. Mike"
did not 90 sufficiently into details to enable us
to judge whetner lis training Is exactly such