The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-24
NEW CAPITOL SITE OFFER.

1t is little confusing to have a
vigorous effort made at this late day
to have the site of the new State Capt.
tol changed from the State-owncd
site on Capitol Hill. a strong move
mcnt is on among the dealers in real
ty to have tho capitol put on the east
bench, over in the vicinity of the new
high school site; and strong arguments
are brought forward in support of the
proposed change. IL is certain that
the style of building which the Capl'
| tol Commission is represented as faN-
oring would show to much greater ad'
| vantage on the southeast bench than
on Capitol Hill; but the style of build
ing is not vet altogether settled. and
it might he yet possible for the COM
mission to select style of architecture
that would show beautifully on Capt.
tol Hill. II is. of course, possible that
il may select squatty style of archi-
lecture that would be practically hid
den on the Capitol site; but, it is also
possible that more elevated style OF
architecture can be determined upon.
Tho realty men. however. have very
strong argument in their favor If the
comparatively low style Of architecture
is TO be favored The chief end in
view from the standpoint urged by
the realty men is. the conspicuous sight
that may be had of the Capitol from
the valley and from most of the sur
rounding region. If low style of
architecture is to he adopted, then
clearly the realty men have the ad-
vantage of the argument; and we con
fess that we would sympathize very
strongly with them in their effort TO
change the site from its present loca-
ton, where squatty capitol would,
in fact. be hidden from the city and
from the most of the valley.
Still, the proposal for a change in
the site is sudden surprise. We do
not quite understand what has made
it, unless it is the anticipated favor
ing by the commission of low, squat.
ty building, Such building, of
course, ought to be on the brink of
the mesa; but no such site is now
available on the Capitol Hill. It is
available on the east or southeast
bench; and the realty men will find
much support in their plea to change
the site If the squatty form of struc-
ture is TO be adopted. The people of
the State will wish to see their capitol
when they come TO town without max
ing a special search to find it; they
will expect the capitol to show forth
in beauty, a conspicuous object from
most of the approaches to the city.
If it does thus show forth, it Will be
gratifying to them; if it is hidden,
they will want to know what they are
getting for their monev.
1t is quite true, that whether con-
spicuous or hidden, the capitol will
serve the useful purpose of the State
as headquarters for doing its public
business. But, those who want to see
beauty and a conspicuous architectural
and agreeable effect, argue that the
useful can be combined with the beau
tiful just as well as not; and they de-
sire to see this done.
Very much will depend upon the
style of capitol building which the
commission will adopt. If they adopt
squatty style, then the realty mon
have the argument with them. If they
adopt an outstanding style that will
bring the capitol into fine relief and
beautiful conspicuousn SIS throughout
the whole valley, then the capitol site
should be utilized for the capitol struc-
ture. We shall probably not have long
to wait now until the designs favored
by the commission become fully known,
and. in the meantime, the realty men
will have time enough to present their
arguments; and they will. no doubt,
be alert in keeping track of the move
ments and preferences of the commits
sion so as to be able to place their
arguments, their reasons, and their
proposed gift of q site where it will
do the most good. and will be the most
timely in effect.