New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-18
A PREVENTABLE LOSS.

II stands on the north side Of Wash
ngton avenue. opposite the Capitol the
building in which invaluable records.
books historical data and trophies were
destroyed by fire q short time ago. These
yrlceless objects of public Interest might
ave been spared u the commonwealth
al a building like the new one been
r.cted In the first place. That the nee
gary steps for the erection OF suita-
IL structure for the housing Of the
h,ss educational machinery, the work
Es tools OF the department and histori-
a archives were finally taken was due
srgsly to the labors in that direction OF
Andrew Sloan Draper, tho Commissioner
u Education Of the state, who saiu'
yhen the site for the building had been
sscIded upon, and when from among the
srty.three competitive plans those sub
ritted nv Palmer & Hornbostel had
teen decided upon and an expenditure OF
sboooo agreed to: "This movement for
a building devoted exclusively to the ed
rational activities of the Empire state
signlhcant in the history Of education
n this country. No other state mas at
snpted anything Of the kind. Surely
sate that expends, from all sources for
al branches of education, S200O,0O
rear can we'll afford to lead the way.
The street on which the building fronts
Is rot OF sufficient width to admit of a
rood view of it's classic front from any
considerable distance but the great white
1ionnsde, Viewed obliquely, makes
most impressive effect. The columns
,.ar6 well out from a wall which is
aeted by a series Of huge circular OPEN
su. which allow great window area
Behind the colonnade, which Is about six
Kindred and sixty-slx feet long, there is
u arcade Of ample proportions The en-
IRE facade is crowned by solid wall or
s,tic, which gives uniformity and
strength 70 the facade. The entire build
hs Is covered by a roof Of copper, the
saves OF which are decorated and carved.
EFFECTIVE SURROUNDINGS.
The building stands fifty Feet back OF
the building line, and the space thus az
tordsd viii blossom into lawns, with trees
ana hedges, and in general will be culti-
waited In accordance with the most APP
proved landscape architecture. An i'm
posing fight OF easy steps leads to the
main entrance al the centre OF the build
ING. The materials used on the front and
ue end facades are for the most part
White marble
10 the basement there are workshops,
''ts cutting plant for the museum stor-
" room, driveway and court for snip
% purposes. elevators. ventilating' hght
20 beat plants and the lower floors OF
s sreat library bookstacks. Here, also,
nc auditorium, which occupies TWO
''''es, and has a promenade and gallery
- 'aree sides. The stage OF this room,
s@eh has an architectural treatment OF
"4f huge Corlnthian columns forming
.4Veo loggia, is hanked by large inches
'@ pipe organs.
ascending the marble steps and enter
W the main portal, one sees to the
eH' staircase leading to the second
~ rotunda, and to the left the bureau
information.
va the first floor also are the chambers
- "e Regents Of the University and the
HVss OF the Commissioner Of Education
me school library division and the
~. uVlsion as well as the offices OF the
iOus boards Of state examiners.
,,."e architectural beauty of the build
reaches the high point on the second
~ with its rotunda from which one
~ zee TO the north e great barrel-vault-
.0lrloor 70 feet wide, 4s feet high and
's' long, leading TO the general refer
So, reading room: 10 tho east shorter
ia eo corridor leading TO the technical
medical libraries. and on the west
\ Az mar corridor which leads to the law
ana sociological libraries. This rotunda
e. ~. ~ sauited corridors arc constructed
sk,s.u.ha limestone. Standing under the
iu,ssh' which caps the dome Of the ro-
N snd looking half way up the gran
h,.. 'n one secs these inscriptions in
@ss bad letters;