The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1911-07-02
Some Gossip Gdtherd From
The GAY American Metropolis

New York, July 1.-The dismissal of
c. Grant La Fargo, the architect OF the
Cathedral of ST John the Divine, now
in course of construction, by the trus-
tees of the church throws an interest
ing 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 Geo.
L. Helms were the architects who made
the original plans for the church,
about twenty years ago. They were in
charge of the work of construction
ever since the work began, until Mr..
Helms died. Then Mr.. B. w. Morris
poined Mr.. La Fargo in the task of
experimenting the construction of the
church. 1t appears that the original
plans, which had been accepted by the
trustees of St. John, were never fol-
lowed. Upon the request or demand of
the trustees changes were made from
time to time, which materially modi-
fed the original conception of the ca
thedral's architecture The trustees, of
COURSE, are Ol inc OplulOu ludl Tue
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 architect and not a trus-
tee, disagreed with the trustees or
whether he was considered to slow to
act upon the valuable suggestions of
the trustees, is not known but the fact
remains that the trustees dismissed
Mr.. La Fargo and supplemented him
by another architect. 1t seems to be
their plan to pay no attention to the
original plans, but to continue the
work regardless of plans, making al
terations as the work proceeds and as
their fancy may dictate. Architects are
beginning to wonder what the Cathe-
dral will look like whe nit is complet-
ed but that will not be for more than
fifty years.
At last the police authorities of
New York City have decided to begin
determined war against the numer-
Gus gangs of toughs and criminals
which infest and terrorize various sec
tions of the city. Heretofore these
gangs have had things practically
their own way. They committed hold
ups, burglaries, robberies and murders
and, being well organized, with plenty
of spies and helpers among the toughs
of the localities infested by them, they
enjoyed immunity for many years.
Recently these gangs have become so
bold, that Police Commissioner Waldo
has decided upon vigorous cam
paign against the gangs. 1t is sincere
ly hoped by the law abiding citizens
that the war of determination against
the gangsters will be carried on to
the bitter end, but it is also realized
by them that the task awaiting the
police authorities is heculdean.
The war against the street-car row
dies is also to be carried on with
great vigor and persistence and the
magistrates are bravely helping in
the good work, by imposing severe
sentences of Imprisonment upon these
rowdies, whenever they are brought
into court. If the police should succeed
in breaking up the various gangs, in
suppressing the car rowdies and in
driving out considerable part of the
Italian undersirables in certain local
tiles of Manhattan and Brooklyn, New
York. would be pretty safe place to
live in.
Some police magistrates in this city
have distinguished themselves recent
ly by giving evidence of almost hui