New-York tribune., 1909-10-29
THREE ARCHITECTS
NOT II BRICK Laid.
Story of Littletom, Coler and
Brooklyn Borough Hall.

%ON4%ANNAN-~~
administrations in Brooklyn the taxpayers
OF New York City are in the position OF
having to pay out s92945 on the new Mu-
nicipaI Building in that borough, although
not a brick has been laid at the present
time.
When Martin w. IAttleton was Borough
President of Brooklyn judgment was OBJ
tained against the city for sS2.945 by Nc
Kim. Mead q White for plans made by
them at Littleton's request, although other
plans had already been accepted by his
Republican predecessor, J. Edward Swan
strom A suit for 10000 is now threatened
against the city in favor Of Lord & Hew-
lit, which firm submitted plans at the re-
quest of Bird s. Coler
The history OF this example Of Demo-
cratic methods OF extravagance in office
dates back to February p, 1905, when the
Board of Estimate appropriated SS2O0o, 10
provide means 10 pay the expenses or tne
preparation OF the necessary plans ana
specifications for the construction or q new
Municipal Building and an additional court
building under the Jurisdiction OF the Presl-
dent OF the Borough OF Brooklyn"
This resolution was approved later by the
Mayor and the Board OF Aldermen, and on
June q, 1908. J. Edward Swanstrom' then
Borough President announced compeu-
ton among architects for the design and
construction of tho building. Washington
Hull was invited to be one Of the eompeti-
tors, and on October ], 190S he submitted
plans In accordance with the invitation and
the terms OF the competition, which were
that "the administration has the intention
to appoint, without unnecessary delay the
successful competitor as architect
CIRCUITS LITTLE SCHEME
Mr. Hulrs design was accepted by Mr..
SWanstrom on the recommendation OF Pro-
fessor Despradeles, OF Boston, and the Art
Commission approved the selection. Late
In November of that year Mr.. Swanstrom
applied to the Board of Estimate for an ap-
preparation OF si.5c0,e0O for the construction
OF the proposed building according 10 Mr..
Hulrs plans. He encountered unexpected
opposition in the board, and openly accused
Controller Grout of trying to take the con-
tract over into Pammany administration,
which the latter succeeded in doing.
Mr.. Stwanstrom next move was to enter
into a contract on behalf OF the city with
Mr.. Hull employing him as the architect
OF the new building for the consideration
OF $4,000. Martin w. LAttleton, who sue
ceeded Mr. swanstrom as Borough Presi-
dent. approved Mr.. Hull's plans in Feb
ruary. 1904, and later asked the Board of
Estimate for an appropriation of S2.59o,00o
for the construction Of the building accord
ing to these plans.
Within a few days after he had made
this request Mr.. Lttletnn began TO raise
objections to tho plans and threatened to
set aside tho award OF his predecessor and
reopen tho competition. The Brooklyn
chapter of the American Institute OF Archi-
tects Immediately rallied 10 the support
of MF. Hull, and at q special meeting
passed resolutions condemning Mr.. Little
toms proposed action and announcing that
any architect resubmitting his plans would
be subject to the discipline Of the chapter.
-Four competitors. however, accepted Mr..
Littleton's proposal and resubmitted their
plans,
During the remainder OF his term Of Of
fee Mr.. LittletOn persistently refused TO
proceed with Mr.. Hulrs plans, although
the latter offered in writing to make any
changes that the Borough President might
suggest The only statement that the arch
itect could get was that Mr.. Littieton was
mot ready TO take It up"
LITTLEToN GETS BUSY.
In November, 1895. seven weeks before
the expiration OF his term OF Office, Mr.. Lit
tIeton suddenly took definite stand on the
matter OF the proposed Municipal Build
irg, and appeared before the Board Of Es-
Innate with another set OF plans drawn by
MoKim, Mead s White, whom he had en-
ployed on his own initiative, and asked for
an appropriation OF $3O00,O O00. although the
city was already committed to the construc-
ton of the building according to other
plans. Mr.. Hull then brought suit and re-
covered s15, 900 from tho city. according to
the terms OF his contract.
On December ), 1905, the Board Of Esti
mate appropriated 100000 for the con-
struction Of a new Municipal Building for
the Borough of Brooklyn, hut the Board
of Aldermen disapproved, and Mr.. Littleton
went cut OF effice without his employment
Of q new firm of architects having been
made legal under the city charter, no money
having been appropriated by the city to
pay for such employment. In spite of this
fact, McKim Mead Sc White successfully
sued the city fer sS2,945.
Mr. Lfttieton stated In defence OF his ac-
tion IN ignoring Mr. IIulrs plans that they
were inadequate. A comparison OF tho plans
OF the Littleton and Swanstrom buildings
showed that the latter had about thirty
thousand square feet more efIlce space than
the former It was also pointed out that
the Littleton plans called for the purchase
of additional land TO the value of s750,OO0.
against an expenditure of $4,000 required
under the SWanstrom plans. The plans of
McISfm, Mead & White called for the eX-
pendituro of $4.164,675. Mr.. Hulrs plans
fixed the cost of the building at $2,1S4,46
COLER TAKES A HAND.
The methods OF Mr.. Littleton were con-
tinued by his successor, Mr.. Coler, the pres
ent Borough President. The latter lost no
time In getting busy on the proposed Munic
ipal Building for his borough, and in Feb
ruary, 1906, he secured the passage of an
appropriation OF 100000 He quietly ig-
rored the fact that his predecessors had put
the city to considerable expense, and an
nounced that he was going to have plans
drawn to suit himself
He retained the firm of Lord & Hewitt
for a $4,000 600 building having no greater
accommodations than previous plans had
provided. This was in October, 1906, and
shortly afterward Mr. Coler sought to enter
into a further contract with Lord & Hewitt
to employ them 10 supervise the construc-
tion OF the proposed So. 600, 600 building, but
the Corporation Counsel refused 10 approve
the contract or the previous contract under
which the design was submitted.
A BRIEF summary OF what has been done