The Washington times., 1912-07-19
HEPBURN SNEERS
At ARCHITECTURE
WITHIN DISTRICT
Says Buildings Are Cross
Between Livery Stable
, and Chicken Coup.

That the cost of planning and ad-
ministration of public building con-
struction in the supervising archi-
tect's office is much greater than in
the offices of private architects, and
that therefore 1t would be a great
mistake to repeal the Tarsney act.
was, declared today on the floor of the
Senate by Senator Newlands of Me-
vada.
Senator Newlands discussed the sub.
ject in connection with the sundry
civil bill. His remarks led to a dis
cussion of styles of architecture in
Washington by Senator Hepburn of
Idaho, who hurled a wealth Of sneer-
ing and sarcastic illusions at the
architectural character of these build
ings.
"Straw-Box" and "Stable" Types.
Senator Hepburn said we now had
a new school of architecture in vogue
here which he would denominate the
''stfaw-box" school. He cited the new
Red Cross building as a sample. He
said another type might be called the
brick block or horse stable type.
Such buildings" observed the Idaho
senator" are cross between livery
stable and a chicken house. l would
that would compel such buildings to
be removed in the night time"
Senator Hepburn insisted there ought
to be some national type of architecture
In the public buildings, whereas COM
posite styles were being developed, so
that some parts were of one school
and some of another.
He cited the New National Museum
as part Doric, part Ionic, and part
Corinthian.
Little of Everything.
1T looks as If the architect was not
able to determine just what he wanted
to do SO he put in little of each,' said
Senator Hepburn. IF we keep on at
this rate, pretty soon no two rooms in
public building will be of the same
type Of architecture. They will be
composites resulting in architectural
nightmares"
Senator Newlands said he was not
contending for any particular school
OF architecture, and he brought up the
proposal he has heretofore made for a
national bureau of arts. He said, how
ever, this was not the time to press it.
The occasion for the remarks of New
lands was that Senate amendment of
the sundry civil bill which nulIifes the
House action repeating the Tarsney
act
The Tarsney act permits private com.
tion OF public buildings. The super
vising architects office wants to be
rid of private competition. The House
was willing to crafty II, but the SEN
ate is not, and 1t adopted the amend
ment today which let's that act stand.
Costs Eleven Per Cent.
Senator Newlands said he was in
formed that a comparison of the cost
OF planning and administration Of pub.
lie buildings for a series of years would
show the cast was IL per cent for the
supervising architects office against
per cent for private offices.
A comparison had been made fol
1909, which showed the cost for ting
supervising architects offie was pei
cent This, said Senator Newlands, was
in year when there was a great dea
to do in the supervising architects Of
flee, and was not the average.
He did not criticise tine conduct OF
the Supervising Architects office. but
said the limited salaries of the EN-.
ployes there made 1t impossible for II
to compete with the genius and talent
of the country.