The Washington herald., 1910-01-16

Fireproof buildings and e general ex-
pansion Of the powers Of the State archi-
tect are the chief points urged In an in
teresting report filed at Albany last week
by Franklin B. Ware, State architect OF
New York. This report contains some
suggestions Of interest in Washington
and portions of it for that reason are
here reproduced.
The report presents a review OF the de-
partments work and a comparative
statement showing its extensive growth
during the past three years. It is shown
that whereas in 1907 less than $1,000. 900
was placed in contracts for State build
ings, the amount in 1903 Appropriated
thrice that sum. The total Of contracts
IN force on September so 1909, exclusive
of the Education Building, the plans and
specifications OF which were not prepared
by the State architects Office. was S. 3d.
OSLO
Would Enlarge office.
A number Of changes are recommended
with view to facilitating the conduct Of
the work. Ampler quarters must be pro-
vided, the work having outgrown those
at present in use. The drafting and con-
struction departments now occupy the
same room.
Mr.. Ware announces his expectation to
house the construction department in
separate Offices near the capitol and place
it in charge OF a deputy. He points out
that second deputy is needed, not only
because the new quarters must be out
side the capitol, but In order that the
State architect may be relieved of the
distractions growing out of disputes with
contractors regarding work under con-
tract: that larger rather than smaller
appropriations for construction are likely
10 be made in the future is urged as an
additional ground for creating the posi-
ton.
Last years report is quoted in APPROX
al Of an amendment of the state arChi-
tect law providing for competitions in
State work. Should such law be passed,
Mr., Ware thinks that it should contain
the provision that all competition shall
be held only when recommended by the
State architect. with the approval of the
governor: that the rules and regulations
governing competitions should be pre-
pared by the State architect. and that
the board of award should be composed
Of men capable Of passing on the archi-
tectural as well as the practical features
Of the design.
should Conform with Code.
Practically all OF the best architects
in the country" says Mr.. Ware in the
passage quoted, ARE members Of a So
ciety that has formulated a code for the
conduct of competitions, and If the State
expects TO obtain the services Of these
men the conditions should be drawn UP
so as not to conflict with the code, ex-
cept as its provisions might conflict with
State laws. The state architect should
be the adviser in all matters Of an archi-
tCctural nature connected with State
work"
Attention IS called by Mr. Ware TO his
previous recommendation that the more
important buildings erected By the State
should be ireproof The object, he says,
is not only TO insure safety to life. but 10
reduce TO a minimum the cost Of main
tenance and the expense Of renewals due
10 wear and tear. Reference IS made TO
the clause in the insanity law which lin
its to 500 per capita In the case of
chronic patients and to $1,000 in the case
OF. acute cases the cost Of buildings for
these separate uses. The cost Of labor
and building materials has advanced to
such an extent since the law was framed
ten years ago that It Is Impossible" in
Mr.. Wares judgment. TO construct build
ings Of the first class within the amount
OF the appropriations based on it. These
limitations should be eliminated from
the law entirely or their amounts sub
stanuaIly increased.
Other Points Covered.
Other subjects covered by the report
are the special fund estimate work. the
State hospitals and charitable institu-
tons. normal schools, arnorieg, prisons.
and the construction requirements Of the
state fair and public reservations and
parks.
In addition to the contracts entered
into in connection with the State hospi-
tails. plans and specifications have been
prepared for the new chronic groups at
Central Islip and Kings Park, for the
new reception building at Wards Island.
and for the equipment Of the new power
houses at Kings Park and Poughkeepsie.
Preliminary plans also have been pre-
pared for the proposed State hospital TO
be located at Creedmoor Long Island.
In passing. Mr.. Ware has a word Of ap-
prevail for the large amount OF satisfac-
tory work done by State hospitals under
the special fund estimate system.
separate paragraph is devoted to the op-
GRAFTON OF that system, which Is regard
ed as highly satisfactory.
Nearly all the work IN connection with
charitable institutions for which appro-
priations were made during the winter Of
1909, the report continues. were placed
under contract before the close OF the
fiscal year. Block plans, preliminary
sketches, and estimates have been made
for the new training school for bows to
be located at Yorktown Heights and for
the new institution TO be known as
Letchworth Village to be located at
Thiens.
The State Normal College. at Albany,
was completed during the summer of 1909
and In readiness for the fall term Work
on the White Plains armory. contracted
for in February, 1909 is progressing salts