The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-07-04
Stray Topics From
title Old New York


New York, July s.-The dismissal
of c. Grant La Fargo, the architect
Of the cathedral Of st. John the Di-
vine. now In course Of construction,
by the trustees of the church throws
an interesting light upon the peculiar
methods employed In the erection OF
that great church edifice which is to
crown Morningside Heights. Mr.. La
Fargo and his former partner. the
late George L. Helm. were the archi-
tects who made the original pians
for the church. about twenty years
ago They we're Ia charge OF the
work OF construction ever since the
work began. until Mr.. Helms died,
Then Mr.. B. w, Mortis Joined Mr.. La
Fargo in the task OF experimenting
the construction ofNthe church. II
appears that the original plans which
had been accepted by the trustees OF
St. John. were never followed. Up
on the request or demand OF the trus-
tees changes were made from time
to time. which materially modified
the original conception of the ca
thedrals architecture. The trus-
tees. OF course. are OF the opinion
that the changes suggested by them
are great improvements. calculated
greatly to enhance the beauty and
grandeur of the structure. Whether
Mr.. La Fargo. being a mere srchi-
tect, and not trustee, disagreed
with the trustees or whether he was
considered too slow to act upon Ahe
valuable suggestions OF the trustees,
is not known, but the fact remains
that the trustees dismissed Mr.. La
Fargo and supplanted him BY an
other architect. II seems to be their
plan to pay no attention 10 the ORR
ginal plans. but to continue the work
regardless OF plans. making altern-
tons as the work proceeds and as
their fancy may dictate. Architects
are beginning TO wonder what the
cathedral will lokk Ike when II Is
completed. but that will not be for
more than fifty years.
AT last the police authorities OF
New York city have decided to be-
gin determined war against the
numerous gangs OF foughs and Grim
inals which infect and terrorize va
rious sections OF the city. Hereto
fore these gangs have had things
practically their own way. They
committed hold-ups, burglaries. rob
berries and murders, and. being well
organized. with plenty OF spies and
helpers among the toughs OF the To-
calities infested by them. they enjoy
ed immunity for many years. Re
Gently these gangs have become SO
bold. that Police Commissioners Wal
do has decided upon vigorous cam.
paign against the gangs. II Is sin
cerely hoped By the law abiding citi.
zens that the war 81 DETERMINATION
against the gangs win be carried out
to the bitter end. but II Is also real.
lied by them that the task awaiting
the police authorities is herculcan.
The war against the street car
rowdies is also to be carried on with
great yigor and persistence and the
magistrates are brayeIy helping IN
the good wark, BY lmposing severe
sentences OF imprisonment upon
these rowdies. whenever they ere
brought into court. II the police
should succeed In breaking up the
various gangs, in suppressing the car
rowdies and In driving out eonsid.
cradle part OF the Italian undesira.
bles in certain localities OF Manhat.
tan and Brooklyn. New York would
be pretty safe place TO live In.