Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-01-16
Drawbacks to Any Plan to Make
Additions to the State
House.
COST The SAME EITHER WAY
Rough Estimate Places 1t at
100000 to $250,ooo- Money
Needed to Secure Archi-
tect's Drawings.

Montpelier, Jan. 9--The commission
that has been investigating the need
of additional room at the State House
made its report this morning, setting
forth the deficiency of the present ac-
comm odations and describing the two
methods proposed, extending the pres
ent building or erecting a new build
ing near the Pavilion. The commit
tee has made a careful investigation
of the entire matter and asks author
ity to have plans drawn for such
building as is proposed Mr.. Blanch-
ard, the New York architect whom the
committee has consulted. has pre-
pared preliminary sketch OF the
proposed building which has met the
approval of those who have seen 1t.
The report of the commission is as
follows;
on November 6, 1912, the joint COM
mittee composed of Senator Batchel-
der, Senator Darling OF orange. Rep
resentativcs Ryder of Rockingham,
Cook of Lyndon and Watson of st.
Adams city, met and organized by
naming Senator Batchelder chairman,
and Mr. watson, secretary.
After a general discussion of the
subject and a consideration of the
methods of proce lure to be adopted,
on motion Of Senator Darling IT was
voted that a public hearing be held.
This hearing was set for Thursday
evening, November IA. 1912, in the
hall Of the House of Representatives
| Announcement OF the meeting was
made by letter and by notices In the
newspapers AMI on the state House
bulletins.
FAVORED SEPARATE BUILDING.
On the evening of November "A
public hearing was given by the COM
mittee at which there was a fair at
tendance and the proceedings were some
what remarkable in the fact that the
! opinion expressed by the fifteen speakers
who addressed us was unanimous in
favor of a separate building and against
further additions to the State House
Among the speakers were the State IL
brarian. Hon. F. A. Rowland, w. B. c.
Stickncy, Hon. j. w. Redmond, f. c.
Crosby, Senator Blanchard of Windsor.
Mr.. Hulett of Rutland city and others
The location OF the building suggested
by all who touched upon that question
was that afforded by the unoccupied space
between the Pavilion Hotel and the en-
closed grounds OF the State House.
After the general public had retired
the committee considered the question
| Of tho title of Vermont to the location
suggested II. E. Slayton of the sergeant
alarms office gave some valuable in
formation relating to title, and it was
4
for the purpose of settling the question
J on November ID. 1912, 1t was ascertained
by the committee but without accurate
survey, that the land in question was
about 17j feet wide on State street, and
of the same depth for sixteen rods north
erly, and for about seventeen rods further
in a northerly direction 1t was about l25
feet wide, taking the measurements from
the outside edge Of the concrete walk
leading from State street northerly on
the east side of the enclosed grounds
Such plot of land would, of course fur
nish ample room for new building.
WINGS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.
The question of additions to the State
House was also earnestly considered. II
was suggested that the purely admins
trative offices of the State, like the secre-
tary of State, the treasurer and the
auditor, well as tine State library
ought to be in tho same building as the
General Assembly. But the objection &c
their separation seemed to be based al
most wholly on considerations of incon
venience and is in the last analysis, ar
objection of sentiment. And this senti
ment seemed to be outweighed by thai
other sentiment involved in the feat OF
destroying the classic beauty of tn,
capitol.
Some desutory work and thought wa.
given to the general subject from time tc
time, and soon the committee came t
realize that nothing of value could b,
accomplished without the aid and advic,
of an architect.
Matters stood thus until n resolution
ing the holiday recess and for the pay,
ment of their expenses Therefore on De
cember 26, 1912. another meeting was helC
in Montpelier at which all were present
Rough plans for additional end wings tc
} the State House were submitted by
Dewey Hanley and II. f. Sayton anc
were explained to the committee. Will,
these plans We're ingenious and followed
plan, the provision for more library room
entailed an additional expense without
commensurate advantage; and there IL
the further objection that the addition OF
wings would result in about 5000 cubic
feet of dark and practically useless space
and, again. there was no one to tell us
whether the architectural effect of the
additions would be harmonious. The ex,
pense of the Hanley- Slayton plans wa,
roughly estimated at $4,000 to $4,000.
STORAGE ROOM INADEQUATE.
We also had before us several of the
State officers from whom we learned thai
Interference with economical conduct OF
the States business. Examination dis
closed the fact that basement storage IL
at present very limited and In deplora bic
condition 1t has become necessary &c
store documents. papers and books OF In
estima Bile value in the dome Of the State
House where there Is practically no pro-
lection from fire.
The accommodations for committees are
so Inadequate as to actually retard legis'
? lation. and the crowded condition OF sucf
offices as that of the secretary of STATE
. is a menace to health as well as to the
proper conduct of business. 1t Is not al
edifying sight to see legislative commit
seeking a meeting room or sitting in con