Evening journal., 1912-11-30
Continued From First Page.

the properties NiAhAh tli' 49," -
ready have been bought by persons
In favor of the joint city and county
building, to be turned over to the
city at the price paid for II On most
of the properties I'm the block, II Is
understood. options also nave Deen
secured by some advocates OF inc
comprehensive improvement, the CITY
10 get the benefit Of these options
without one cent of profit TO the per
sons who have obtained them. rms
anticipatory action has been taken by
The persons who bought properties
or secured options in the block TO
protect the city against an imitation
of values
AS outlined i'm the petition. after
CITY Council and the Levy Court en-
dorse the project. the Legislature
would be asked to enact I law sane
tioning and outlining the procedure
whose end would be a completed city
and county building The petition in
its entirety. containing the names oil
dozens of the best-known residents
Of the city and rural county rs repro
duced on Page Of THE EVENING
JOURNAL today The petition sug-
rests that the Legislature provide
for a non-partisan commission rep
rcsenting the city and rural county
TO supervise all the details and con-
struction of the proposed public tenn
nle of administration. This commits
sion not only would issue the neces-
sarv bonds. but also would nave
mower to condemn land for q site ana
do everything necessary 10 erect ana
furnish the building.
While the figures contemplated IN
sho hond issues may seem startling to
some persons at first glance. II is
pointed out that the city could seli me
present City Hall and city buildings
along Sixth street for approximately
5000 600. which could be applied TO-
ward the city's share Of the cost. IL
also is figured that a very small IN
crease In the tax rate would meet the
interest charges and provide money
for sinking fund to meet payment
of the bonds as they became due
without working any hardship upon
property owners and taxpayers.
For sometime there has been q cry
for more room in the present Court
House. which is inadequate for the
hcountv's needs The Legislature two
wears ago sanctioned a bond issue of
iSf25 900 for an addition to the Court
House. Plans for an enlargement
rWore drawn, but about that time the
lpossiblities OF "A joint city and county
administration building on the block
now under consideration were brought
To the attention Of the Levy Courtmeh
In a conference by some OF the ad-
vocates of such an extensive structure
aud the Levy Court held its project in
allowance 80 that the incoming Legls-
( ilaure could consider it THE EVEN
ING JOURNAL at the time told OF the
sioint city and county building proposi-
sion and announced that the block
from King TO French street and Tenth
10 Eleventh was under consideration.
City Council at the time also had the
subject brought to its attention In con.
fcronces.
Since then, while the project has
been held in abeyance publicly, some
ol the property owners who have the
interest and development Of the city
at heart. as we'll as solution OF the
cry for more adequate quarters Tor
city and county departments and of
fees. have been brOaching the propo-
sition TO other property owners, with
the result that the project has found
definite expression In the petition
now prepared IL will be observed
that the Judges OF the Federal and
State courts are among the signers
of the petition. IN addition 10 some
" hose real estate holdings are great
est in the city and county.
I..a tr4r f.N fIfn
Bar Association viii be held within
short time 10 consider the Joint
building project. which In all proba-
ibility will be given rousing endorse
ment IL is intimated that City Coun-
ell also will look with favor upon H.
and endorsement from the Levy Courl
also is anticipated The buildings con
templated is 20 be ireproof through.
ont. with steel. concrete and stone
entering chiefly into its construction
and with an absence OF inhammabl'
material excepting where it canno
'hc avoided In the furnishings. While
y convenient arrangement Of city ani
county Offices and departments i
sought the public convenience ha
heen kept uppermost In every instanc
and ample space and Hobbies FOR tn
public contemplated at every hand
with many other public convenience
that should enter into a down-to-the
date public building.
Distinct Separation.
Plans that have been drawn for IN
combined municipal and county build
ing are tentative, merely to show IN
possibilities OF such an arrangemen
and by no means are urged IN prefer
ence to any other plans that may b
prepared. In fact, II Is contemplate
that the best plans submitted b
architects OF highest ability in con
petition shall be selected for the prC
posed building.
The present drawings call for
massive structure, with facade o
King street OF French design. and wit
huge columns entering into the en-
bellishment about the. main entrance
TO the two sections OF the buildinl
The front of the building is SO desigl
ed as to make an identical perspe,
tive for the county building and n
city building sections.
Every detail of the front of N
building is the same, in the plans no
prepared, 10 the external view il b
ing an edifcc Of harmonious appea
ance with two very artistic entranc'
on King street The wings of n
proposed building. extending alor
Tenth and Eleventh streets 10 Frenc
provide for "a palmer exterior y
withal very attractive devoid OF mu,
iof the elaborate decoration that fea
ures the King street facade.
There are many who on first il
preston may say they do not fay
q union of city and county affai
within the same walls because Of
doubt whether they could be mai