The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-04
UsINEss policies promised by the

~ tSINESS policies promised by the
* present city administration seem
u to have been fulfilled in regard
to maintaining and operating the
Municipal Building II nowhere else. This
giant structure. one of the tallest and
most spacious Office buildings In tho oitv.
the largest municipality wned building
In the world. VAS operated last year at a
figure which makes IL a rival of the pri-
vately owned office building In the mat
ter of low cost of maintenance
There are few buildings in the city
which were run last year at less money
per square foot h a Father Knickcr-
bocker's big ONCE building. covering
nearly two blocks along Centre street
and Park Row. Building managers. OK
perts in operating the big structures OF
the city and with years OF experience In
their calling, say that the record estab-
lished by Borough President Marie. Gus
todlan OF the building. 10 indeed worthy
OF favorable consideration. George T.
Mortimer. ~vice-president OF the United
States Realty Company. owner OF $780,
900, 900 worth OF the largest n finest
skyscrapers In the world, amonK which
are the Trinity Building and United
states Realty Building on Broadway
next to Trinity Cemetery and tho
Whitehall Building at the Battery. one
OF the first of the peaks OF New York to
be seen by incoming steamers, and the
world widely known Flat!ron. IL one OF
the men who said that the Municipal
Building was operated at a fairly low
figure. Mr.. Mortimer 10 reported to be
one Of the best ONCE building efficiency
experts in the city. He has reduced to a
level which no other manager seems able
TO reach the cost OF maintaining and
operating the buildings owned by his
company.
b. e. Martin, president Of the Build
ing Managers Association, which COM
prises the ONCE building managers OF the
city. IL another expert who said that
operating and maintaining the city's big
ONCE building at 40 cents a square foot.
about 10 cents more thar Mr.. Mortimer
takes to run his buildings. 10 q good
showing.
Operating ONCE buildings. whether
small or large. IL a task not generally
appreciated by Office a n the
general public. Like every other call
ing this BUSINESS OF managing ONCE
buildings has become a speciality re-
curing special training. The day OK the
old building manager 10 gone He wal
a driver Of scrub women and poorly
paid male cleaners, BY means which
would now he considered thievery he
operated the building TO his own al
vantage. often making big profits from
privileges which he controlled n from
the purchase OF supplies.
The men who n ONCE buildings
to-day are highly intelligent men who
have efficiency In mind at all times,
Every NOW m suggestion r toward
tho end-reiuotion of cost with en-
ciency. Their efforts to accomplish this
| for owners Of buildings have led them
into many fields which tho man IN the
street has no idea q building MANAGER
must know.
He knows enrineerng. has morc than
a limited idea Of electricity. knows hui
man nature and how nnch work can he
expected from this man and that man.
The elevator which whixzes from stree,
levels TO cloud piercing heights Is known
| to him. He knows how much grease
and oil are required TO make II run
properly. He also knows how much
usage Il will stand ard how much ser
vice mops and brooms and other I'M
Elements Of tho cleaners brigade Will
Withstand. There are hundreds Of other
details. all OF which are essential to the
manage Who wants efficiency At the
lowest price.
Borough President Marks has studied
these details and others which are par.
| ttcular 10 q city owned and operated