Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-05-25
Public Forum

Editor Morning Journal
Dear Sir. The great loss to the
university In the destruction by fire
of tho HadIey science hall. will not be
so serious. If II leads 10 better con-
struction for al buildings designed to
house expensive scientific apparatus
valuable collections. Such strnc-
lures should be absolutely fire PROOF.
Since the fire there has been con-
: siderable discussion among the friends
OF the institution as 10 the out
ward form which the rebuilt fiadley
hall win take. Some who have all
ways Been opposed to the "Pueblo
architecture. are Selling this oppor-
tunity to urge a reconsideration by
the board of regents Of their action
lin adopting That style. People VIII
perhaps always differ IN their ideas
as TO standards Of beauty, some there
are who regard the Pueblo scheme
as hideOus. harbarous, and not at all
suited for progressive people, others
consider it artistic. strong. grand, adj
mirably adapted to the purpose. II is
impossible to secure any architectural
type not open to objection. All who
think on the subject. however, viii
agree that whatever scheme Is adopt
red that should he adhered to. To
change In part would be to create an
"inCongruity, offensive to good taste.
The Queen Anne style, the Greek
school, the italian, the Dutch, Nor
man, Gothic ana other distinctive
types have onch their claims to con-
~aidcrati0m, but to erect the buildings
Of "a university each Of q different
school might be instructive to tho
students Of art. bat would not present
harmonious whole. II would be
In worse taste 10 have q few build
ings distinct IN style from the others.
There are some form Of architecture
bearing some similarity TO the "Iu-
eblo." notably the Mission" and to
many the mingling Of these would
not be distastcfui, hut to the true
artist their differences constitute an
incongruity greater. in many ways,
than though there were no similarity
at AL. and it suggests that the build
crs were not aware of the differences.
Unity of design should characterize
the university buildings; n plan pro
viding for All necessary structures
shrould he elaborated by some artist
which would dispose OF them as to
size and purpose about a center in
such "a manner as to produce a pleas
ing effect: every change and addition
should DO made in the development Of
that plan SO as TO insure economy,
This. presumably, was ms when the
regents adopted the Pueblo archi-
lecture. III IL is decided to follow the
architectural plan Of some OF the
California universities, with the Mis-
sion type. a new design should be per-
fcctcd, which w0uld eur the most
desirable utilization of That Vers at
tractiye though more expensive archi-
tCturc, ana the present buildings
should be remodeled.
There AFRO however many YVhO bp-
lieve that the regents would make q
great mistake 10 allow anything to in
~tcrfcre with the preservation in its
purity, simplicity and rugged strength
OF the pueblo" scheme for thc uni
versity buildings already adopted.
There were some who were not at
first attracted by the forms and bleak.
bare character of the buildings. who
have from frequent visits, become
convinced of a rare and positive
charm ANA attractiveness about them
ana have admitted TINT they possess
q beauty which grows on one and
becomes a positive JOY.
II may not be c%Xtravagant 10 say
TINT IL the Pueblo" plan is adhered
to. the fame of Albuquerque as the
scat OF the pueblo University" viii
I'm twenty years, be Worldwide, and
visitors VIII stop to examine il with
oven more interest than they win the
Grand canyon for 1t viii have to
them a human interest and viii speak
of most ancient peoples. Already
during the few years of its existence. :
there has gathered in the minds of
the alumni and undergraduates, a very
deep sentiment, -cngcndered by the Pc
culiaritics of the Pueblo architec-
turc. apd this Hffectionate regard and
consideration will steadily grow as
class after class of young men and
women graduate. The very atmos-
phcre of the place viii SUGGEST quiet
and thoughtful study. and schol-
airs win be drawn to dwell within its
peaceful wills to study out the deep
problems OF life.
UNIVERSITY.
AlhnHucrnnn. ". NJ. NAV a. 1910.