Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-06-05
Public Forum

MI Euiipf-
The announcement in one of the
city papers that the board Of Regents
had decided to change the architec-
ture Of the buildings Of the Tnivers-
ity from the Pueblo type 10 the
Mission style seems to have been
premature. gnd the matter Is sim UNI
der consideration.
The problem before the board Is by
| no means n simple ono. nor one To be
lightly considered. as it involves the
future of the institution, the question
OF expense, the advantages to the peo-
pie Of the territory and the city, and
the cultivation Of correct taste by
architectural forms, The Board Is
constituted by statute Of five persons
and 10 insure that they win be per-
sons Of good judgment and discretion
Il Is expressly provided hat they
should be qualified voters who shall
be owners Of real estate in this ter
ritofy." But, however we'll the or
binary voter and real estate owner
may be able to handle the financial
and business affairs Of the %institu-
ton. it is manifest that they could
not be expected to know very much
IN regard to courses of study and the
best methods Of training the students
end building mp character. Hence
the president and faculty are selected
by them from learned men. skilled IN
teaching, and who by character and
tact are fitted To lead the youth 10
the highest planes OF Integrity ana
homo.
Similarly It would be u rare thing
to find among either faculty or re-
gents. O skilled ana artistic architect
II IL usual to invite the architects Of
the world Ia a competitive contest
- al . AA,9l,,t 49,. ~. -. 49,. R..t
adapted ana most desirable; the Re-
gents Of the University would do well
II they have not already a compre-
hcnsivc plan, 10 spend q little money
in prizes for the best plan. Much val
liable time and Il great heal of none
viii he wasted tt a plan Is not adopted
10 work by. which Will provide for all
probable Improvements for the mex
tifty years.
on the question as to a change in
the present Pueblo style, on the nt-
tempt to preserve the present build
lnEs and add new buildings in an-
other type. there are two considcra-
lions which are, however. not equally
weighty. demanding attention. The
first Is the question Of cconomy-the |
has a very small income |
and PROBABLY Will not have as much |
az II needs for many years to come |
and It Is clear that changes are eX- |
pensive, ana that the Pueblo archi- |
lecture requires h least expenditure |
OF money.
The second consideration is The
one. 1t is, OF course, much
the more important. 1t is the most
difficult 20 discuss and consider. |
Is a matter OF education; and
like all human faculties, it is
ana purer in some than In
The sense OF the beautiful
with the progress Of The race
aud as has been shown in the history
the world. the rare genius and Skill
IF one individual may produce almost
b revolution in what are usually re-
as the standards, People
lre also somewhat sensitive on the
OF their individual tastes.
What they happen To like, they con
'lder the correct thing What they
hink is the fashion" is their idea or
he beautiful. The position OF one
hey admire or esteem IL IN that ac-
cunt. believed 10 be absolutely the
Perhaps outside of religious
Controversies and family jars, no such
bitter and vindicitve arguments
an he marshalled 80 quickly as in q
on a question of taste.
In the matter al architecture, there
the MlltNi NiAtiktllht VI NAtNFf AA 1
lmost lamcntable ignorance and a
.ell-nign hopeless Indifference on the
art OF a majority of the people
his Is manifest upon the most casual
nspcction Of the store buildings and
residences Of the average
american city. Many architects arc
erVile eopyists. Indifferent draughts-
non. with but little education and
holly lacking In originality, con-
tructtNc conception or artistic inspir-
ton. in many places they do not re-
Give stich recognition iis would slim
them To the highest cndeaVors-
here are. however. In all parts Of
he world. mon who atc prc-cmincut
D their profession who have studied
the principles Of the art. who
ave had extended experience. who
ave travelled and studied the worlds
r~eat.st architectural conceptions as
leN have been embodied in form by
be- skilled a%riificer. and who have
genius-thesc men are truc
rtists. with an eye trained TO The
eautiful in form and a mind capable
graSpirg broadly "A comprehensive
armonious scheme Men Of Widel
iucation and bread culture may also
p found who have studied Architect
mai forms. aud whose Judgment on
matters would he Valuable
This paper suggested "a few DAYS
that before any new work Is done
University buildings "a plan he