New-York tribune., 1909-09-25
New Workers Responsible for
Americas Most Artistic Structures.

fhe stately New World river that bears the
mama OF the vessels dauntess captain. And
even when. much later. the Clermont steamed
up the splendid stream. the American architect
bad by no means come into his own. In Eu-
rope that particular incarnation OF the artist
had been 4 power long before Michael Angelo
built tie Farnese Palace; and In all ages and all
lands the architect. with the exception Of the
painter ana the sculptor. has been the author OF
ell the tangible beauty. humanity created, that
the world has known.
Architecture was at a discount when Mlnhat-
tan was purchased for S24: il Is somewhat
above par now that the island is worth 5000
100000. When the little Dutch seaport extended
pnly from the Battery to what IS now Wall
Etrset-and there was real wall there then, be-
rond which pretty barefooted girls went to
milk the COWS wandering in fields and forests
citizens built their homes without thought of
plans or experts. But some way or another
tllis frequently resulted in the picturesque
Ehereas when people attempt it nowadays. rs
too often they do. the outcome IS hideousness
end discomfort.
when the architect at last arrived" after
Fashion. he did some pretty poor work-or per
haps he was not permitted 20 do good work
something far from unknown to-day morc's the
pity. This is particularly true when the city
government has a say. For example, do You
supposa that our mighty bridges would be the
commonplace affairs they are 4 leading archi-
tects had had their way? The approaches, the
lighting the most prOsaic part Of the structures
themselves. would delight the eye were it pos
sfbe 70 convince professional politician that il
Is profitable TO put money into mere beauty.
They have cost enough. these public bridges
and buildings. as also certain homes built in an
early period Of prosperity and extravagance
lust as we have always had the worlds deli
cacies even when we didn't know how TO cook
them. so we have always had costly mansions
even IL built In ignorance Of good taste and true
architecture.
1t is not the fault OF architects who in
The estimation OF their fellows abroad stand in
the front ranks OF their profession. but certain
sections OF the metropolis give the impression
that their creators believe this TO be a city Of
the blind. whom ugliness cannot sadden. Of
sheer idiots who would not know beauty IL they
saw il In suburban places the shadeless, sun
baked land has been covered with unbroken
rows Of mathematical monstrOsties. and in the
efty's very heart a building occasionally arises
fhat the most ignorant knows to be a pitiful
mistake disgracing those that consented TO the
oesecraton. But when the plans Of architects
CT the highest class possessing the pride OF cltl-
zensiip and the enthusiasm OF artists. are
adopted and adhered TO. the hope that the city
beautiful" may prove a reality is invariably
born again
III would not be beyond reason. for example.
70 say that this could be proved by the works
OF single firm Of architects. that Of Mckim.
Reade e. white but this Of course. would be
unjust 10 others that are influential enough 20
achieve their Ideals and force upon certain
clients some idea Of right and wrong In aTchl-
lecture But, In truth. Messrs, Mckim Mead
z White for more than a quarter Of century
have been one Of the chief factors in the archi-
tectural development Of the city and. in sense.
fhe nation: and this means. too, one long drawn
out and discouraging task Of educating public
faste IN 20 a point where the architect may
bone for the happiness that comes from wider
spDreciation than his clients approval and his
own pride In the knowledge Of work well done.
Yyhile the present consideration is chiefly that
a, work that has added 20 the beauty OF the
y,.fronoiis a. should first be stated. perhaps.
ftat the architects named must. Of necessity. go
into the nations history as those that were
given the artistic responsibility Of the restora-
tIon of the White House at Washington. The
,cv bujldings Of the University of Virginia also
have something Of kinship with the history of
tl,e Republic OF many other creations outside
tyeU york City doubtless the most notable is the
Boston Public Library. with the interior OF
which il will be recalled that Edwin Abbey was
associated.
The Importance and extent OF what has been
.cnomDlished In New York by the architects
parhed may be fairly grasped by mere list
,@ ranresentatiye works. These include Madison
sauare Garden, the Brooklyn Institute. the new
buIIdings for Bellevue Hospital, DR. Parkhurst's
rrcently completed church, Columbia and New
York universities, the Pennsylvania Railroad
Citation the proposed PostOfiice and Municipal
pufldlng the University. Metropolitan. Century
ana Harvard clubs. the Tiffany residence and
fr nd m