Omaha daily bee., 1919-11-09
CAPIT0LS ARE
INSPECT ED BY
NEBRASKA BODY
Governor McKeIyie Reports
on Conditions Found in
Neighboring State
Buildings.

Lincoln, Nov. 8-(Special.) Gov
ernor McKelvie returned today from
the trip with the state capitol COM
mission, which inspected capitol
buildings in Missouri, Minnesota
and Wisconsin. The governor also
made an address before a joint
meeting OF the Kiwanis and adver-
tising clubs of St. Louis Thursday.
The capitol commission will not
hold a meeting until December l.
which will be after the architects
have presented their plans for the
new building. Under the rules of
the board Nebraska architects are
given the first chance to draw plans:
From these plans selection will!
be made. Then the commission, if
not exactly satisfied, will call for
plans from outside the state.
Following is the report OF the
governor on the different inspec-
tions made:
Missouri Capitol.
AT the little river town of Jeffer-
son City there has come into being
d really great architectural move
. ment, which the Missouri state
house crushes almost to extinction
in the modest surroundings. 1t GER
tainly profits by the contrast.
Phoenix-like, it has arisen from the
ashes of a former capitol. One re-
grets, however, that the Phoenix
could not have better iusti-
fed the parallel by flying a few feet
higher, for it certainly stands upon
a most depressed and depressing
site. OF beautiful, almost white
stone, Missouri marble, it stands
the reincarnation Of some stately
structure of old Rome. One is
struck with the simplicity of the
design and the scale of its every de-
tail. Profoundly impressive in it's
unfinished state, we anticipate with
.mpatience the glory of its ultimate
completion.
at differs most from other state
buildings in the two fundamentals OF
material simplicity and harmony OF
scale.
marble wallis and floors promise
much for its durability and permarl-
ence, while they set the pace tor a
dignifed, chaste and restrained
scheme Of decoration. It is to be
regretted that the furnishings of the
building were not entrusted to the
same wise guidance that led to its
architectural accomplishment. So
far, Missouri has little to regret in
the program Of its capitol building
even IN the making of provision
for future growth and in her me-
chanical equipment there seems te
have been wise intelligence il
command. Tracy. & Swartwout o.
New York we're the architects, hav
ing won their appointment In an i'm
portant competition held under
guidance of the American Institute
Of Architects of the more recent
4 American state houses viewed from
the several angles of utility, cost
dignity and beauty OF design. Il
takes no great stretch of the imagi
nation to justify awarding first plaes
to this classic genius, which has
brought such distinction to Jefferson
City and Missouri, and such un
stinted credit to the distinguished
members Of the capitol commission
who are responsible for the result
Missouri capitol, commenced ap
proximately March "a. 1911. Con
tract let for foundation of building
April Fl, 1918. Contract for maiI
part of building, November 10, 1918
Furnished for occupancy, July ]
1917. Built practically all from loca
stone, with exception of very littl
for interior decoration.
"The, capitol of Minnesota, (Can
Gilbert Of the Woolworth building