Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-04-19
HIGH COST NOT
ITTNER'S FAULT
[Continued From First Pagel

lContinued From First Pagcl
owes the simple. graceful and econo-
mical lighting system which distin-
guishes it from other cities. The
model for these posts came from
Washington.
Desiring to get the best for Wash
ington, Congress appointed a commis-
sion which made an inspection of
school buildings in all the principal
cities of the United States east of Den
yer, this inspection developing the be-
lief that the school buildings of St.
Louis were as a whole the best in the
country. AS these buildings had been
designed by William B. Ittner, it fol-
lowed as a matter of course that he
was the proper man to be employed
for designing the, new Central High
school of Washington.
Inasmuch as Washington has it's
own architectural officials, appointed
| by the government, that part of the
work of the designing architect which
has to do with the erection of the
building is not demanded. MIR. Ttt-
ner, therefore, designed the Central
High school of Washington, but he
did not erect it, as may be seen from
the letter from Mr. Snowden Ashford,
the municipal architect of Washing
ton. who writes officially fro mthe Of
flee of the Engineer Commissioner.
MFR. AshfOrd's Letter
Mr.. Ashford's letter explains the
circumstances surrounding the erec-
ton of this building, for which there
seems to be great pride in Washing
ton. The relatively high cost per pu-
pill as shown on the comparative state
ment furnished by Mr.. Ashford is OBJ
viously due to the causes he mentions,
and the architect himself is in no sense
responsible.
Mr.. ]. Horace Mcfarland
Municipal League,
Harrisburg, Penna.
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 18th,
concerning Mr.. VIM. B. Ittner. inquir-
ing as to the schoolhouse work in
Washington, has been received.
The letter follows:
I take pleasure in saying that Mr..
lttner was selected to design q school
house for this city after a commits
sion, appointed by Congress, had
made an inspection of the school
buildings In all the principal cities east
OF Denver. We concluded that the
school buildings of st. Louis, designed
by Mr.. Ittner, as whole, were the
best in the country. This opinion
was expressed at the subcommittee on
appropriations of the House of Repre-
sentatives, when the appropriation for
the Central High school was request
ed.
Answering your question directly,
school, The work was satisfactorily
done. The plans were the most COM
plete that have ever come into my
office in twenty-five years experience.
Mr. Ittner's duties ended with the
completion and approval of the plans,
but he retained an interest in the
work and was In constant touch with
me in the Interpretation of the plans
and the construction of the building
As to your question concerning the
excess cost over the estimated cost and
the reasons therefore, L would say
that 1t was not due in any way to Mr..
Ittner or his plans. Two things con-
tributed to this. One was the great
advance in cost of equipment, espe-
cially machinery for the shops, on
account of war prices. Second, the au-
thority conferred on the principal of
the school to suggest changes in the
plans, many of which, were in my
opinion, of questionable expediency
and not commensurate with the added
cost. But as there changes were ap-
proved by my superior officers, neither
Mr.. Ittner nor myself feel in any way
responsible for the result
/ would advise you by all means to
employ an architect who has had
years of experience in schoolhouse
work, for an architect, however good
he may be in domestic or public work,
will find schoolhouse work a speciality.
IhlS mas been recognized in most all
of the larger cities which now en-
ploy an architect especially for such
work. and know none better quail
ned than Mr.. Ittner.
Very truly yours,
SNOWDEN ASHFORD,
Municipal Architect, d. C.
A letter to Mr.. Stamm is along
similar lines:
February 8. 1917.
President Board of Education Hor
risburg, Pa.
A. C. Stamm: Ittner designed our
new $500 pupil high school very sat
isfctorily. We think highly of him.
ERNEST L. THURSTON,
Supt. of Schools, Washington, d. C.