The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-02-23
MAKE PLANS FOR
|. NEW COURTHOUSE
County Board Of Opinion
That Now is Time to
Erect Building.
BUILD THIS SUMMER?
Anxious to Start Project at
Once - KenOsha Labor to
Be Employed.

The sound of hammers and saws and
the cries of busy workmen will soon
be heard on the courthouse block be-
tween Park and Wisconsin streets and
the city will soon have the treat of
seeing the new edifiee take shape, if
present plans of the county board
materialize. A movement is on foot
among the supervisors to push the
building of the courthouse this spring
or summer and meeting of the court
house committee will be held this af-
ternoon to discuss the rroject further
and the ACCESSIBILITY Of urging imme-
diate action on the board at its next
session.
Need Becomes Crying One.
1t is possible that a special meeting
of the board will be called to consider
other problems, including that of the
Russell Detective agency bill and the
appointment of county agricultural
agent, and it is expected that the
courthouse matter will be presented
in all earnestness at the special ses-
sion of the board.
"A good many of US believe that this
is the psychological time to start the
courthouse" said Supervisor Priddis
today. material is down, labor is
down, and we do not know how long
this condition will last. It is a lull in
the business world and the supervisors
who are pushing the courthouse feel
that they could not do better than take
advantage of this situation. Certainly
the courthouse is needed and bitterly
needed"
1t was pointed out that the county
board has now 100000 with which to
begin the project and that much money
is being expended for rents which
makes no return at all, The county
board is paying nearly $4,000 year
for the maintenance of county offices
in the overflow from the courthouse.
Even so, the county judge has no office
whatsoever, as his quarters were taken
to make room for the county treasurer.
Old Court a Disgrace.
Comment on the conditions in the
municipal court, as one supervisor
pointed out, is not necessary. Every
one knows the handicap with which
the judge and clerk, as well as attor-
neys are under, in endeavoring TO
adapt their work under the old roof,
with poor ventilation, an antique heat
ing system and crowded quarters.
In the county courthouse, mean
while, the congestion is nearly as bad
This morning with three branches of
the court in session, one was perforce
showed out and there is no chamber
for the county board or its several
committees to meet in.
Will Employ KenOsha Men.
The county supervisors are agreed
that when the project is started that
part of the contract will provide that
Kenosha labor will be used in the erec-
tion Of the new edifice wherever it is
possible. Much Of the abor will re-
quire the employment of diggers, ma
sons, plasterers,> carpenters, painters
and joiners, and it is expected. that a
small army Of Kenosha artisans will
be put to work.
Another feature that requires care
1ul CnOugnC Oh IHe pdrt u IAS county
board and which will be given its full
consideration, is the architecture Of
the building. Examples of public
buildings at Washington and Phila-
delphia and other cities will be studied
if not at first hand, then from charts
and photographs, to determine some
thing of the style that will best suit
the local setting. The county board
desires the new building to be one
that will endure and serve as monu-
ment. AS the best architecture has
often the simplest lines and proper
tions, decoration" will not necessar-
| lily be included.
In other words, the new building
will go up in conformity with the prin-
ciple of the Vicar of Wakefield, who
said he chose his wife as she did her
| wedding gown, "for such qualities as
would wear WE'LL"