Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-31

houses, hotels. apartment buildings. factor
ieg, warehouses, silos and barns are being
erected IN every state in the union. Their
warmth In winter, their GOODNESS In summer
and their fire-resisting qualities are max
ing them more and more popular in resi-
dence districts where these characteriAics
are desirable. and in thinly settled locali-
ties where absence Of adequate fire pro-
tection makes flre-proof construction a
vital necessity.
1T is partially due TO the rise in prices
OF lumber, which neither you nor he can
control, that the builder in general casts
about for a substitute for lumber. He be-
gins to read Of Portland cement concrete.
Very likely he gets an unduly optimistic
idea OF what this material, wonderful as IL
Is, will do. The country has been flooded
broadcast with literature on the subject
Of King Portland and the wonders Of his
reign Cement has been heralded as the
legitimate heir and successor to the thrones
occupied by other bu ldlng materials In
their several Kingdoms and principalities."
Concrete has forced its way into building
construction by way OF the practical builder
by virtue of its economy and strength. and
has reached its height through the tech
nical ability of the engineers who have
recognized It's paramount value as a build
ing material. Until the last two years It
has received only sporadic recognition from
architects for its value as a medium
through which to express ideas OF beauty
Of structures as well as utility and econ
omy. This is natural. and can scracely
subject the architects to censure, although
there has been consequent delay In the de-
velopment OF the new building material,
and there are many atrocities which have
been perpetrated by builders and by engi-
neers who lacked the artistic sense and
training which are essentials for a good
architect.
Imitation of styles of architecture suited
to other materials n not advised except
so far as the motive and effects approx
mate those peculiar TO concrete. Some
architects condemn the concrete block as
a base imitation of stone, and therefore not
acceptable for an architectural composition.
Municipal Engineering magazine thinks
they are incorrect in their position on this
matter.
A rocked-face concrete block is a bare
faced imitation of a natural product which
cannot be successfully initiated and Is
properly condemned, but there are facts
about concrete construction which Justify
and. IN fact, may demand the use OF con-
crete in block form, and one of the basic
principles laid down by these gentlemen is
that a building which is successful archi-
tecturally must tell the truth. The truth
about concrete is that in large surface
cracks are probably on account OF expan-
sion and contraction from changes in tenn
perature. II these cracks are not localized
by Joints they will give trouble by appear
ing where they will be %unsightly. The
builders OF small buildings may not be able
to provide the necessary materials for pro-
ducing monolithic concrete. 1t may be
necessary to make up the concrete at one
place and put 1t into a structure at an
other. Conditions of economy and expedi-
ency, and often of necessity, therefore. re-
quire block construction. In many cases.
therefore, blocks frankly admitted their
concrete structure are, by the principles
governing these gentlemen. properly archi-
~tectural material and must be accepted as
such. Because blocks bad in design and
poor in quality are on the market is no
reason for condemning good blocks stand
ing on their own merits as an architectural
medium. There is apparently a place for
the concrete block in both large and small
buildings. Is a concrete block veneer for
a reinforced concrete wall any less true
than a stone veneer? At least during the
period Intervening before a true concrete
architecture appears there is a place for
the concrete block as well as for brick and
stone in combination, with concrete, and
not always as a matter of finish to initiate
something else.