Orrice or VAN BRUNT & HOWE, ArcHITECTS. 
Henry VAN BRUNT, Frank M. Howe, 
60 DEVONSHIRE STREET, Bavarp BuiLpinc, 1214 A. Main Srt., 
Boston, Mass. Kansas City, Mo. 
FURS MO ray AN tn 8h re 08 tra att Lae aro ere 
H.V.B. to W.B,, 2nd sheet. 
most obvious concession to economy. No Architect. wovld use 
such a Kaptition in such a place by choice, nor under the circum- 
stances would he erect a lift in such a place. As for the ceil- 
ing of the cellar under the Museum: if wire lathing and plastering 
were not specified in the contract as a guard against the Sspread-= 
ing of fire, this was a point apparently left to be decided later 
at your discretion. I have not the specification at hand, and 
earnot settle this point definitely. 
T am distressed to find that through these misunderstandings 
you should have been exposed to vexatious delays and expenses, Dut 
unless there is written evidence somewhere that I agreed to make 
the building approximately fire proof we must rely upon the plans 
and specifications, as signed and forming part of the contract, as 
the legitimate result of all our preliminary discussions, Under 
the circumstances I do not see how I can be held responsible for 
the fact that the building is in some respects other than what 
you expected. T will assume with alacrity any responsibility 
which properly belongs to me. 
Kindly inform me in what way T can further your desireSe 
