New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-16

lengthy discussions by experts on drcHi-
lecture and construction work and BY many
other persons. What was useful or orna-
mental yesterday in structural lines Is Ike
~ to be non-proftable, or considered out of
style. to-day.
New York is continually d!scarding its old
building form, and forever adding newness
and greater attractiveness to its Office loft
store. home, hotel and other areas Its
changes in this respect are phenomenal, al
though not unexpected by jewellers Of the
city who are conversant with its realty
strength and demands.
To be ever youthful, in physical sense
costs Father Knickerbocker large sum
in fact, a stupendous amount Of money
each year But It pays to be ever graced
with the radiant charms Of new age.
The mustiness of ancient gardens, with
their high walls and formidable doors, may
delight those persons who are usually look
ing backward, and who can find appease-
ment for their mental cravings only amid
scenes and things Of the distant past. 1t,
however, would cause the average New
York resident to fee as fast as possible
Gotham lives mostly in the present, and
is hopeful Of more glorious future. 1t is
truly proud Of its old realty achievements,
but It will be terribly disappointed II its
buildings to come are not in every way
vastly superior to those in the modern
group to-day And there is probably moth
ing that more reflects the business devel-
opmcnt Of the city and the manifold trade
needs Of It's people than the marvellous
volume Of its construction work, which
frequently establishes new high record
marks.
The New York business man wants to
do business in the best way. The best may
be the dearest in the beginning; 1t will be
the cheapest in the end. Efficiency must be
sought, found and maintained In all de-
tails
The first and greatest essential is proper
housing That means a place where en-
ployer and employees can work under the
most approved sanitary conditions. It also
means an abundance of light. proper VEN
tilation, inviting office, store or work rooms,
as we'll as construction strength and beau
tiful entrances and exterior surfaces.
For without construction strength, ten
ants might be seriously Inconvenience or
DELAYED in performing their business duties
owing TO needed repairs TO the buildings.
Without artistic exterior building lines the
general appearance, of the structure might
make II seem out of place and uninviting
to the passing throngs of buyers.
What is generally considered to be the
principal cause Of the short life Of the
majority Of buildings erected in New York
each year," is question often asked
Larger business wants form, as already
shown. one Of the most important factors;
by many experts the leading one Never
theless It clearly seems to be secondary
one, after a careful consideration and an
ANALYSIS of the building growth OF old New
York
Does il not appear reasonable to presume
that modern building conveniences and the
inventive genius of the manufacturers OF
them are the predominating factors In this
situation? Old building forms are not de-
stroyed in a wholesale manner every year
lust because New York adores what is
new Behind the new walls will generally
be found the latest floor devices, the most
up-to-date ceilings and side partitions, the
most modern plumbing and other sanitary
ARRANGEMENTS, the newest made and most
highly efficient elevators, the most recent
designs Of iron craftsmanship, such as
ventilators. doors, vaults, ratings and in
many other ways.
The latest must be better than the pre-
yious best or why should building wreckers
be busily engaged throughout the year tear
ing down old structures TO make room for
more costly ones There would be no rea-
son for such transformations except the
necessity for bigger buildings. And that
need could be easily met by increasing the
width and the height of them in most in
stances, as the majority of building experts
agree that the old main supporting walls
are generally strong enough for such addi-
lions.
A familiar and popular saying in build
ing circles is, Don't tear down the wall
until you have a better one TO put up"
That almost epitomizes the principal cause
Of the ceaseless work of annihilating long
rows and blocks of houses, some compare
lively new, in order TO ornament their sites
with buildings which will produce larger
revenue for the owner help Father Knick-
erbocker TO get more taxes, and thus have
more schools, more hospitals and other
kinds of buildings, besides more parks. In
other words, TO get more modern public
conveniences. too.
Many visitors from foreign countries to
This city. on being asked what impresses
hem most in old New York. say: Your
towering buildings, your colossal realty
wealth and your never being satisfied in
the building line with what a little while
before you praised as perfect"
A famous English tourist recently ex
claimed, after an inspection Of the great
downtown skyscrapers What magnificent
cathedrals Of business has New York. The
Old World has nothing to equal them.
When / return again, in about five years,
this gorgeous office building centre prob
ably will have been made more strikngly
beautiful under the fairylke wand Of your
architects of business structures"
Yes, indeed. the downtown Office district
contains many "cathedrals OF commerce."
and IL you will analyze that term carefully
you will see that all the praise for the
newer and newest building forms in this
zone should not be about equally divided
between the architects who designed the
structures and the landlords who furnished
the necessary millions for their erection,
but that a larger share of the praise right
ly belongs to the geniuses in the ranks of