
Rededication Ceremony of New York City Hall

( MusikAnimal/Wikimedia Commons) )
At the rededication ceremony of City Hall, announcer Tommy Cowan describes the restoration as well as the history of the building and surrounding areas.
"The interior of City Hall has been done over as well as the exterior and Commissioner Frederick H. Zurmuhlen, of the department of public works and his capable staff, the architects and all concerned can certainly take place with Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and all the great artists who create living monuments that are imperishable because of their true beauty."
While describing the parade, Cowan interviews Charles H. Silver,
"The restoration of City Hall is further evidence of the determination of our Mayor, and his aids, to make New York the showplace of the world. And giving this building new life, we are honoring the illustrious figures who have left us here a legacy of freedom that endures beyond life."
The following speakers are introduced to the microphone:
Frederick H. Zurmuhlen, Commissioner of Public Works
Reverend Julius Mark, Temple Emanu-El
Hulan E. Jack President of the Borough Of Manhattan
Robert Moses, City Construction Coordinator
Richard C. Patterson Jr., Commissioner of Commerce and Public Events George J. Lober, Executive Secretary of the Art Commission
Monseigneur John M. Fleming
John D. Butt, President of the Downtown Manhattan Association
Abe Stark, President of the City Council
Clarence G. Michalis, Chairman of the Board of the Museum of the City of New York
Lawrence E. Gerosa, Controller of the City of New York
Mayor Robert F. Wagner of the City of New York
Reverend Dan M. Potter, Executive Director of the Protestant Council of the City of New York
Each speaker adds their congratulations, thanks those involved in bringing the project to completion, and discusses the historic and artistic significance of the building. Michalis gives a timeline of memorable events that took place at City Hall. Gerosa reads the first city controller's budget from 1802. The Sanitation Band performs "The City of New York."
Cowan resumes discussing the significance of the building.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150427
Municipal archives id: LT7171
This is a machine-generated transcript. Text is unformatted and may contain errors.
Good afternoon from this great and wonderful movie what a full July a day in front of the marvelous city of all the same model is because City Hall enjoys a renaissance today that is unbelievable in its true beauty of recreation the merit the city of New York the honorable Robert F. Wagner in the happy host to a distinguished company here today who will pay tribute to this fabulous building with a history second to none anywhere in the world for the activity which is as seen with the growth of the government of the United States the growth of the city and for that amount of the growth of the state in New York as well since the governor of the state in the Arctic very often transacted his business here in the beautifully preserved governor's room which has all the old furniture from Federal Hall at mass on Wall Street to enhance its interest its historical interest as well as its true beauty the interior of City Hall has been done over as well as the exterior and Commissioner Fredricka of the Department of Public Works and as capable staff the architects and all concerned can certainly take place with Michelangelo the auto da Vinci and all the great artists who create a living monuments that are imperishable because of their true view and a loving care with which under the mayor's direction and commission is a meal in the Department of Public Works this recreate it has been carried out it's an unbelievable triumph not only of the mechanical and the applied sciences that have done so much to make these things possible by the way of inventions and hes of than all the other things that enter into it but also for the true beauty of it the exact proportions that have been preserved and not the slightest anachronism of any kind is evident in this recreate I imagine those I've never seen it myself I've seen beautiful pictures of it but in its pristine whiteness and beauty it must remind one of the Taj Mahal. In its. Appealing beauty on a mirror on the occasion of a mere glance arrangements have been made to floodlight the city hall of knife which adds a great deal to Philip home who was a mayor of the city of New York in its earlier beginnings as states the first time that they lit up the clock in City Hall he lived up to thirty five Broadway which is now the site of the Woolworth Building and his residence was quite adjacent to city hall when he himself was mayor he didn't have very far to go to attend to business but he looked out the window it was home there at two thirty five Broadway needs as the clock in city hall is lighted up what a beautiful sight it is coming through the leaves of the trees and the general impression one gets of this added beauty to the skyline. It was on the twentieth of February eighteen hundred and two that were dismissed appeared in The New York Daily Advertiser the American citizen and the general advertising for plans for a city hall it was an offer of a three hundred fifty dollars prize for the best plan and designs of minute there were twenty six competitors and submitted designs of various kinds the award was made on the fourth of October eighteen hundred two and that was found in favor of Joseph if Manji I don't know what the pronunciation New Yorkers use it's M A N G I U and if you take the French it's Mondrian with the arc of my call of my English and that John McComb a junior. On the eleventh of October one thousand nine hundred two it was ordered that a new city hall be created conformable to the plan of Messrs managing and McComb lately adopted by the board. The first conference with the mayor and home took place on the seventh of March one thousand nine hundred eighty three and the General Committee. Decided that the design was a little too elaborate and are all kinds of cut suggested as those of us who have attended budget airings know that those who consider economies very often do not consider results and after a great deal of battling of this for this the call must be thoroughly up. For instance they wanted to cut out the windows form of the four windows between the beautiful approach to the city all the entrances and the two wings on the east on the west side if that happened on that we certainly wouldn't be looking at the beautiful building we look at today Macomo said nothing we just. Do the Time was of the essence and that he would work it out and finally did turn out to be as the design insisted on the four windows instead of but two between the main building that is the central portion and the two wings that extend. McComb was appointed City A's and by the board. Meeting held by them and he was ordered to examine material estimates in all necessary practice. On the sixteenth of March eight hundred three the poems submitted a reduced plan embodying the changes previously suggested making up its mind however that the grander in the beauty of the city hall was going to be presented to be had to die fighting for that on the twenty second of March which incidentally is my birthday which is going to be a happy coincidence why eighteen hundred three the committee voted John McComb Jr as architect. Of the course that at least put him in full authority and he became the architect then on the eighteenth of April eight hundred three the Common Council for the scribe rather the text to be placed on the cornerstone. MCCOMAS described in that text as the architect However nobody has been able to find the cornerstone even in this region of the nation. There are many interesting factors of course the first city hall was located that Pearl Street and Colin Tice slip seventy one and seventy three part of St That is and then as we know of course of the Second City Hall was up to now saw and Wall Street and then of course when the United States government was formed on the George Washington and seventeen eighty nine it was necessary of course for the government to have a seat and the building there at Nassau and wall was the largest of its kind L'Enfant who had designed the city of Washington came to New York and made the necessary changes that would give a dignified background to the city and if you visit the museum that is now in the Sub-Treasury building on the same spot there is now so on wall you will see some very beautiful interiors that were designed for the Senate and Congress and all the factors necessary for the United States government and then. It's interesting to note too that. The. Designs of the altar in St Paul's the chapel here was designed by L'Enfant as well and that's a very interesting coincidence because it was that very same church St Paul's Chapel the chapel of Trinity at the Visy and Broadway that saw the first prayers offered for the United States government when George Washington and the entire members of the house marched from Nassau and Wall Street to V.Z. and up Broadway to God's aid in the formation of this new government and then in the church itself to this day is the pew used by George Washington thoroughly preserved with all its furnishings and on the opposite side of the church the pew of Governor George Clinton of New York State the priceless Waterford glass chandelier czar have been rather restored to St Paul's the church was done over a few years back and it's really a beautiful tie up when one thinks they can recapture the colonial scene from the steps of city hall and look right into the porch of St Paul's Church. It's a very interesting neighborhood as a person who is going around New York long enough looks around it's pleasant to see the old neighbors from East Broadway and from the neighboring Westside locations. And it's very pleasant indeed to know that there's such a great interest in this resuscitation of the true beauty of City Hall its beside has been exhibited particularly at the polls arts in Paris as one of the finest and most beautiful facades for exact proportion and true beauty of any building anywhere in the world it is very interesting to know that even the troubles and you were of caused. Things to happen here that were beneficial to us. The Barrenness hide the Neufeld a. Big part in the new bill I'm thinking of Mr Neufeld who worked so hard on the building with Mr intermittent it was Baron is high a new villain who came here because he had difficulties in the polling in government and the reason we mentioned her was is the fact rather that she was a gifted artist and she made some very beautiful watercolors of the early days of the York and some of the most authentic pictures we have of the old streets here around Greenwich Street and die Street and the side streets branching off from City Hall are the result of the water colors which the Baroness Newville made and later on a Swedish baron Baron Axel Leonhardt he came here for a visit and he went back to Sweden he wrote a very interesting book of his impressions of America and he spoke enthusiastically about the beauty of City Hall and what a truly beautiful building the colonials had turned out he also spoke of the beautiful homes adjacent to city hall and it's quite interesting if you know you're in New York a tall to walk down the side streets going west from Broadway from city hall and see the residences that are still standing and that are turned over to commercial use but you see them with their extremely interesting proportions some of them on very wide lots some of them on the average twenty five foot lot thirty five some of them double houses with the Cornish and window trim still there but the first floor is of course converted into stores a great example of their standard building of course is the fact that they've stood up under the pressure of business and they are able indeed to. To carry on the hard work of the city and its business an enterprise it's the heart of the city in New York of course that has made the city its great and wonderful at vantage. We're speaking of Gracie Mansion it was Archibald Gracie who bought this old house in the seventeenth century toward the end of it in the seventeenth nineties because of hard to believe Philadelphia was the principal American port and Archibald Gracie came to the conclusion that New York City was a far greater Port than Philadelphia and without any rivalry of any kind but just on the Mount of geographical fact he became the inspiration for bringing the business and commerce of the world to the Port of New York and then he bought this old house which was in the rather the lab at a new condition at the time up at Hellgate there at the head of what we don't call prowl shuras park at eighty six three and here. It is a mansion up to live in as a residence a long time ago remained a very fine residence later on it again went into a sort of disuse is a residence and. Mr Broughton Henry Collins Brown lived there a long time the editor of the Valentine manuals and then it was the first edition of The Museum of the city of New York and the first edition of The Museum of the city in New York before the actual museum was started at one hundred third Street it's a fabulous. And. Then our coordinator Robert Moses conceived the brilliant idea of creating this lovely house because truly and beautiful it is into a residence for the mayors of the city of New York it happened that's a very quiet away from the Palm Island I'm from and I'm coming back sleep on the horizon platter I should say of the city of New York and through this kind but the Gracie Mansion became most appropriately the mayors of the city of New York home and now I think this eleven this with the SO but this is. Just a moment we have a very distinguished gentleman like to say if you were to come along with truly amazed at the beauty of the soul and would like to listen to those with the power of a silver head of the Board of Education. Mr Charles H. silver Mr Silver What do you think of this wonderful renaissance of this beautiful building since education an art is so much your forte it's quite appropriate that a word from you would be very very inspiring indeed at this time maybe present justice over. Well the restoration of city off just further evidence of the determination of our mayor and his aides to make New York the showplace of the world and giving this building new life around the ring today a mysterious figures who have left us here at Legacy a freedom that endures beyond life. I stand humbly in this hall and hail our present city administration for preserving this landmark of America's glorious past I pray that its rebirth today when I inspire the generations to comment to his hands we want to trust America's peoples great a future but also feel most of silver that the respect and the care which the mayor and the people of the city of New York at this time is shown for this treasure of American history is an inspiration to scholars as well to respect the past which we are the heritage of I certainly do I think it's the finest thing that the mayor has thought since his administration has government away but he's done many fine things but from the surely inspirational artistic ways this renaissance of city hall is indeed a great accomplishment is running just a little final word to get moved from the standpoint of art and education looking at City Hall today it's the showplace of all buildings in this great city of ours. We want to thank you very much and coming from you Mr Silver as head of the Board of Education it's a great tribute indeed Adam accolade to the efforts of those of put so much work and effort into the rejuvenation of this building. Many people looked at it with great regret when we saw naturally the weather conditions and exposed as it is without anything to protect it it did show signs of wear and tear in fact it was becoming possibly dangerous by parts of the ornamentation particularly loosening away because those familiar with on him and know that in some places the ornament is very stout and in other places it's very frail and this is where the weather gets its work in then along came the automobile the books darling old horses didn't create such a great problem but thank God they got away from the toil and the. Awful work that was necessary for the beast of burden to carry on and the only trace now we have of the wonderful horse which we all love along with the dog is her the fact that we refer to power as horse power and it's a great tribute to the horse to learn that no matter how great an engine is it has a certain percentage of horse power because the horse is responsible for some of the greatest achievements in our lives First came the wheel and came the cart and then after many other animals that had their tryout at the horse turned out to be the most efficient I say this because always leading these parades and the bringing up the rear of all parades is the beautiful mounted police of the city of New York and the horses and the general impression which they create these horses are magnificently maintained by the police department and I still think in a reminiscent way almost as. We might say a complete reincarnation the sound of a horse's hoofs on a pavement is still something that adds pageantry to the situation like nothing else can and when we hear these horses trotting into city hall plaza here as the forest a sign that the great parade that is now coming up Broadway is already up to the Woolworth Building and will soon be making a right swing at least into the city hall plaza to take their positions there why we'll hear a forest and in tradition a glorious tradition to that noble animal the horse the hoofs of the horses of the Mounted Police and the carrying of their banners and all the other splendid things that make this such a distinct almost medieval touch to the pageantry of these occasions at city hall. Will be an excellent speaking program after the parade has taken its place in front of the stands here and the mayor of the city of New York the members of the Board of Estimate and city. Cancel and those invited guests of calm in fact the whole city is invited and that's the beauty of this wonderful spa the green it's hard to understand an eight hundred sixty seven why they ever get away gave away the tip bend of the. City Hall Park no matter how strong the federal government was and I don't want to be brought up on charges but City Hall Park should never have been touched I think we're going to put a statue down there in the remodeling of City Hall Park which says that the coordinator Robert F. Moses hopes to do in the near future and there's a building that has to be removed from City Hall Park and that's the old courthouse and the films on the courts until further up on the scene of the old courts why that building will be removed that's a matter of three or four years yet but I I would love to see and I've heard many people say the same I'd like to see a fountain go there again just where the coke water fountain was many years ago we're going to have a rejuvenation let's have one and now here is the music you capture some of the atmosphere over this microphone and here's the first. Part of this for a. Like. A marshal on Staff Brigadier General Mark nice meeting me off National Guardsmen March. First Army band United States Army headquarters Governor's Island they are. All the beautiful pageantry of the colors United States Army color guard. The United States Marine Corps color guard. And I know the States Navy colors God. United States Air Force colors. I just played Coast Guard Oh my God. And I know States Armed Forces contingents are now coming into view. But they are National Guard colored. One hundred seventh Infantry New York National Guard the old seven thread them and. Their great called white trousers and hats with. The cockades. Hundred sixty fifth in the Arctic National Guard we're all fighting sixty nine and the good old green collars. And gold with the colors of our great red white and blue. The two hundred forty four. A group from the Arctic National Guard the old ninth and New York regiment. The fire department band is coming up now John of our deployed into Georgia regular who needs no introduction through radio audience anywhere but we'll use our eyes as reporters to tell you who it is and who they are. The fire department band is remaining down at Broadway to give march music a lot of that the formations coming in now you have something to keep in step on March by. The veteran Corps artillery state in New York college are you continue to see. Some. Sense of this in our piece of fire apparatus the firemen and let's take it. Sus like the old days way back in the early beginnings of our sun through. The color guard of the fire department. Through. The old heart of the city of New York the color guard in confidence some white thoughts flew so far above. And give you the impression the thing very heavy but not. Dark. With their colors very picturesque in the. Veterans Artillery Corps I know I mentioned I didn't leave the sons of the revolution Olive Garden continued New York City chapter. They're dressed in colonial costumes a real flashback and they're getting a big hand from the audience here and they take us right back to the days when this city hall was opened for government purposes on the Fourth of July eighteenth while. Mr Patterson is just left the car that was pulled in the only car that was pulled into the plaza here with his guests who will be on the speaking program of the broadcast in just a few moments. In just a few moments a commissioner Fredricka gets a meal and it was magnificent achievement here and it will last forever as a monument of beauty and the ability of a city department to recreate that which has been a matter of history for years and yet when it was no. Sorry to restore it to its real and pristine beauty commissioners a meal and then his staff Mr Neufeld and all those concerned were indeed a call to the occasion it's an interesting comment that Sylvia Neufeld will sing the anthem as soon as the meal and commission is a meal and the chairman takes over and that the mayor of the city of New York the honorable Robert F. Wagner has taken his place in the stand of course for the review with his distinguished guests the madam members of the Board of Estimate adding the city council and those invited to be the special guests of May I ask. One. Are waiting now for just a word for the signal and Commissioner is a mule and will take over as chairman has asked him to sit down. And I'm a relay Hunter the chairman commissioner Fredricka it's a new one of the public works. We had intended at the National Alliance on board for each song by the noted opera singer Mr Lauer and step it. Up. But our efforts his ill away and public likes always ready for an emergency have led us to wipe my ass just want exec of assessment misses finest new found a way of saying The Star-Spangled Banner. And after this will you please remain standing but in vocation. Yet. And did a great little the world. Very well. I want to. In order to do this for us we called our last night at eight thirty in the evening because we hide then a large seven would not be with us and now with your permission the invocation will be delivered by a reverend Dr Julius mock of Temple Emanuel Dr mops. Let us pray. Almighty God. We are gathered. In joy and gladness of spirit. To return to the service of the people of our great city their architectural gem of human aspiration and achievement. Our minds wander back over the years to the time when this city hall was first vision and then translated into magnificent reality by courageous and far seeing men and women to them we would express the appreciation of a grateful hearts for a heritage of rare beauty and inspiration which now refurbished and rehabilitated we shall continue to use with gratitude and hand on to future generations with pride and rededicating this building we would also read dedicate ourselves to the lofty ideals which have made New York the world's wonder city a city of many races religions and nationalities living together peacefully and cooperatively a city in which the great heart of America beats in unison with dialogue teachings of freedom and opportunity of justice and mercy. Bless all who made this building possible the architects the contractors and the workman less those who will use their structure in the interest of the people's welfare bless the men and women and children of our city for whom City Hall are so beautiful to the I will ever be a priceless symbol of government of the people by the people and for the people Amen. Predicates I mean all in German every program here at city hall and its renaissance on this magnificent writing life use a meal and Mr Mayor at the deputy mayor. Remembers that a part of the magic the thing which guests ladies and gentlemen something rather unusual that brought us together today and its predecessor grand assembly before city hall it is there a dedication of a building. An old building in times of new way of history we mock today that suppression of completion of the restoration of one of the oldest direct monuments in the United States and one of the most beautiful architecturally and it's all going for we are following our appreciation not only of the purity and Barrick importance of this building and the spot on which we are a family but also demonstrate that we recognize and cherish the protection. And the inspiring events associated with this three way and of the pop in a public way which I've had the honor of saving as commissioner make jokes. At this socket back to one P.M.. This mass the pain has been restored and replaced for generations to come we are proud today for out for ourselves and traveled for our great city that out of respect for direction and love of guilty as calmness during reproduction a bucket factual and sculptural reaction like that your eyes before you in this bright sunny mid June July day all that said in this undertaking including the contract dogs and what money. I went for he had been spied on for their very best effort by a failing deep reverence. For all that this building stands for the result I think and I think you will agree with me it's the boys and I want to thank all who had a part in this Nowhere project is impossible to mention all the people who support and help we have been joy but I must mention the architect to a famous three but I am a nominee as well as my own architects and engineers in my own the flop and with the power of Mr Grasso and the engineers for the vital role that they played in this point and now ladies and gentlemen this is my privilege to introduce or to present to you as a wife speaker of this occasion a man of imagination and they can working among other things for the redevelopment of downtown Manhattan and they play conspiring with the Manhattan for the center of which this city hall is the most important part. The honorable. President of the problem. Mr Mayor. Reverend plagiary controller giraffe's the president of the city council stop her presidents Cashmore Lions Lundy and man a scout. Mission a Moses mission a Pattison missed but. The staying wish guests ladies and gentlemen today we rededicate place recently restored historic building we so fondly know as City Hall to the continued service of the eight million people of the city of New York my gratitude for this opportunity to join in these memorable ceremonies where I just cannot adequately express. Within the rehab military did walls of this landmark under the leadership of a great humanitarian. Mayor Robert F. Wagner this seat of city government stands as the Gibraltar of justice and equal opportunity for all of the people and the standard bearer of the sacred principles of government of the people for the people and by the people to the visitor who approaches the steps of City Hall his or her curiosity is more than satisfied as he or she enjoys the warm hospitality and courtesy of those charged with the responsibility of service to the public. Every citizen of this great city who views this marvelous achievement of the restoration of City Hall must feel a deep sense of pride and admiration our hearts and minds that gripped by the influence that City Hall has on the lives of all of us let us give thanks to God that our city bound in the noble tradition of our democratic institutions. Has attained a well greatness as shot by the fusing of many cultures and the efforts of people of various religious racial and national backgrounds we represent the very essence of the dignity of man as we strive each day to be the PEP actual example of neighborly living based on equal respect our ultimate goal is to establish a more perfect and stronger Democratic society for all to enjoy and to hand over to our children it is in this spirit that we rejoice at this restoration and to commission as a male in the Department of Public Works our sincerity. For is vision and daring in undertaking this task of rehabilitation that city hall is located in this Baro is the pride of every Manhattanite standing majestically at the rim of the proposed Manhattan Civic Center City Hall in all of her splendor well represent that challenge for all out improvement and rehabilitation. Of Manhattan from the battery to spike and I thank you. Thank you. Thank you most of our president. And I want to the pledges that I had I have had as a commissioner of public likes. To have had the opportunity to work with to my mind one of the greatest public savings that I have a save any community or any state. One of the outstanding public officials of this city with a warrior wide reputation of getting things done. Which is the. Whiteness of any engineer a man whose many achievements speak for him more eloquently than I have a put a man with whom I have had the pleasure of avoiding Now for some eight and a half years in my capacity as Public Works commission of this man is our. Construction coordinator commissioner of Fox and so many other titles that I'd spend the rest of the at the known given to you know we can rely on him to redevelop. City Hall POK. As soon as he possibly can to provide the proper setting for the resort city or the public voice has accomplished I present to you the Honorable Robert Moses thank you. Place the mail and. I whack her plate is in town. We're all happy to see a city hall gleaming in renewed splendor. Here is our civic hostage to fortune the creation of an architect of genius which is defied they are lumps and weathered every Staun of nature and dark. Patiently and reverently restored by pious hands for the Hall endures as a landmark and symbol in the midst of serious growth and change here the keys of the city are presented with much oratorio heroism visiting firemen and here is the reputation of the slur that New Yorkers have no respect for the past no I for the finer things and no pride of citizenship. This is no dubious relic now a hollow historic shall audit via ghosts of the past. It remains a high of of municipal industry always echoing new voices its functionaries may overflow into the now hidden Kollek on the news for much Shaw as we stand at the fountain head of our government stays right here at city hall. Let us not be too pious about it this hall is a very human institution. It is housed all sorts of stored. Generations of best tool cleaning ladies in the basement have somehow kept the sacred fire burning. Times with a vehement heart and gem like flame. At times with feeble fluttering was at times almost got it but the Vestals of never let it go out. We can look forward now confidently after so many years of promising the day in the near future when the Tweed courthouse like the monstrous post-office we got rid of some twenty years ago and the tombs and criminal courts which followed will be only an unpleasant memory and the entire replanted park will afford a perfect setting for city hall we anticipate to another day also not just when the entire Civic Center will be extended and author needs to include new municipal and federal buildings and small pox and public places for the pleasure of residents and flanking new housing developments many of them public employees and for the recreation of office workers grateful for benches and walks and a bit of fresh air and read the advocates of a big public garage in the middle of Foley Square acting of course under the guise of economy all the blood brothers of those who inflicted on us such Xpress and says the twenty four hours the federal post office and the old two was bad taste is not the exclusive form on. Not of any one generation. The Senior all of a Wendell Holmes once boasted that the Boston State House is our home of the solar system it was all the heart center car and finally you are on nowhere else but a city hall and now we all. Thank you. Thank you my friend most of. The program such as we've had today. We could not do on the public likes ourselves we are engineers architects and builders and cooperating wholeheartedly with us in the shoring of success of the rate that occasion we have had the Department of Commerce and public events. The commissioner of this the BOP and recognizing that this event would be one of the most notable in a city's analogues. Was eager to assist in every way. But it's my pleasure to put that to you. The. Commissioner of that the property commission will be popping up calmly and public events here on a book. Out of. That Mr Chairman Mr Mair. Members of the Board of Estimate of encouraging distinguished speakers and ladies and gentlemen. Our city hall may legally belong to New York City but it also belongs to all the people of the United States it's a national institution that is one of America's finest pieces of architecture it is a national landmark because it is located where history has been made and it is a sight seeing must. Full credit of course belongs to marijuana there the Board of Estimate and commissioners are mealand for their vision and making possible this restoration. Commission as anyone has been responsible for carrying out this remark about reconstruction he is both an engineer and an architect and is a long successful experience in these fields as made possible the supplier breast aeration of this fine old building and its pristine beauty also its trading that this rededication should take place in the administration of marijuana there for it expresses the new look he and the Board of Estimate have brought to our city government and it symbolizes the high purposes and accomplishments of this administration thank you. I get permission Pattison now standing as the guardians of aesthetic conscience of our city. Is what we know in city government as a not commission. We architect and engineers and I can include myself in that we may plan for the automation as a final word on our designs representing I Commission today. Of which Commission missed that George or Alan Evans Forster as president we have with us the secretary noted August of his own right in his own right Mr George Jane and all but the executive secretary of the commission. I present to you Mr Lobel. Honorable man Wagner. Commission. Officials of the. Distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen. As executive secretary of the Ark commission it is a privilege to be able to participate in the rededication of city hall. For many years the Art Commission has been concerned over the deplorable condition of the exterior of city hall about forty years ago and many times there after it was brought to the attention of the administration of the day. But no action was taken great credit must be given a Robert Wagner for his vision and leadership marijuana and Frederick edited part for the Public Works realized the importance of restoring the exterior of the building to its original. Target completion. Is important not only as a. Government but as one of the finest piece of architecture in the United States it is often referred to as the jewel box of American architecture as an artist satisfaction with this beautiful building will be preserved for future generations. Those who are assembled here today are viewing this imposing building with the same enthusiasm as those who sought for the first time almost a century and a half ago I should also like to mention the priceless collection of works of art within the building the governor's room contains a collection of portraits of great Americans who founded this country painted by famous American artist among them portraits of George Washington George Frank and Alexander Hamilton painted by John Trumbull. To Washington trouble was an outstanding soldier and one of our foremost American. One of the most valuable paintings in America is in the council chamber it has a life sized portrait. Painted from. The inventor of the telegraph this is not only the historical picture it is a great work of art. Was a founder of the National Academy of Design and its first president on behalf of the Art Commission. Compliment. For restoring the exterior of city hall to a tall Reginald beauty in closing. This thought with you. The strength of nations is measured by their commerce and conquest but they could all have a people is measured by what. I can with a low dollar an hour ladies and gentlemen America or what. Is based on a belief in the Almighty. So no public demonstration or no public celebration as I beheld in that set in New York without calling up on the Almighty to bless us and I have a great deal of pleasure in presenting to you for a prayer at this time and I would ask you to arise the Right Reverend Monsignor John M. Fleming secretary to his eminence Cobb Francis Cardinal Spellman archbishop of New York. We pray the God of might wisdom and justice through whom all of our duty is rightly administered laws are enacted and judgment decreed. Assist with eye Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude. The mayor of New York. That his administration may be conducted in write just this. And be eminently useful to abide people over a whole meet presides by encouraging juries specs for virtue and religion by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy and by restraining vice and immorality let the light of I define wisdom directs the deliberations of our official design representatives and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government so that they may tend to the preservation of peace the promotion of happiness the increase of industry so variety and useful knowledge and may perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty. Heavenly Father as we assist the ceremonies. Of the rededication of this historic edifice. May we in spirit in our own minds and hearts. Really new reaffirm and reassert their God given and eternal principles of law and order of liberty and justice which have been the origin the source and the cause of the continued spiritual and material progress and development of our city state and nation from aid us not to forget that our society our civilization our culture has been erected on the firm bedrock of faith in the May we recommend also to the ion bounded mercy all our fellow citizens throughout the land that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of a most holy law that they may be preserved in Union and in that peace which the world cannot give and after enjoying the blessings of this life be admitted to those which are eternal for them now on the way the truth and the life Amen thank you Monsignor. And now. Deeply concerned with the preservation of city hall. And supporting a plan for its rehabilitation from the start and when I say from the start Mr may know it many years ago. Was a man downtown Manhattan Association. This organization which is characteristic civic minded in this help the phrase the Aust of the seventy a book. Which has been published in commemoration of this dedication today it is a pleasure for me to present to you Mr John the block president of the downtown Manhattan Association. Mr Mayor commissioner simulant Reverend plagiary distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen the downtown Manhattan association as signally honored today as a civic group appointed to co-sponsor this occasion of the rededication of city hall and to aid in the programming of the ten days of open house that will prevail so next week assess the downtown Manhattan Association was chartered by the state of New York in one thousand nine hundred eighty seven as a membership organization pledged to wait for the preservation and improvement of all New York in Lower Manhattan. Our civic group has continually urged the rehabilitation of city hall and the surrounding area. Under the progress of and respect of administration of Mayor Robert F. Wagner at last this beautiful old landmark a stark shrine that the days has been restored and three say inside and out as it appeared in eighteen twelve when it was completed in all its architecture of detail. The at most praised must be given also to commercial simulant that popular of public wakes his assistants and the architects and the contractors that were employed on this job. I wish to express to the mayor and to his commissioners as president of the downtime and have Association the thanks obama members for the record nation given to our efforts and working with the city authorities on this and many other improvement projects downtown. Just a manned mission and I mean and you can be assured of our associations continued cooperation. To at the completion of this great admin hat and Civic Center and the final restoration of the city of our pockets are an agenda a fact Commissioner Robert Moses plans. The continuance of the remarkable upstaged in the growth of downtown Manhattan now in progress will assure the preservation of this area as a way of center of business and finance thank you very much. Thank you Mr Butt and now all of this great ideas and we engineers and architects have beautiful plans are we prepared to have so much paper without the practical wherewithal to bring him into being. One of the man whose high office directly identifies them with the state of our government and I was aided in providing the wherewithal with which we did this renovation job. As a member of the Board of Estimate. The esteem president of the city council. And of the pleasure for me to call upon him the Honorable a thought which they avoid three. Thank you commissioner of the Maryland reverend clergy mayor Ragnar and my colleagues on the Board of Estimate my colleagues in the city council commissioner Moses commissioner Titan distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen. To you commissioners a mulan and the people associated with this restoration project may I say congratulations. Congress elections on a work of art. And why we look at this beautiful building Let us go within the walls for just a moment. Let us reflex upon the word God one man inside the marrow of the city in the yard. Robert F. Wagner is a builder a builder of human welfare and a builder who has burkas humanity and who is more as conscience I am convinced that he has a round of bones with destiny and that his record as mayor of New York will be remembered for generations to come outlasting even this beautiful building itself My friends we are gathered here of this afternoon to rededicate ourselves. To the future of our city we dedicate a modern marble Granted I am a line stone from the time of its construction then eighteen old three city hall have symbolized the people are know your art. The men and women and most of all the children who give strength and meaning to this metropolis great men have passed through these doors when this building was begun Thomas Jefferson was president of the United States in those early days of the Republic New York out a population of only forty thousand inhabitants there was no police force there wasn't our fire department there was no Department of Public Works and a trip to Albany up the Hudson River took thirty two hours of travel time on Robert Fulton historic steamboat the Clermont but so we respect of the traditions of history never let it be said that we have buried ourselves in the past a building is made to be used a building must serve the public and I hope that this new look well encouraged continuous concern for the problems of our people so that wise decisions will always be made by the officials who occupy this hall because of you the people I am privileged to be a part of this administration the beauty of this city is that it. Always have been and will always remain a community of free men an open door for all people of all faiths and all free that tradition was never changed and that's a tradition we pledge to you but concern your for as long as there is life and leadership here at City Hall thank you very much. Thank you Michael president and now with your formation it's not possible to have every member of the Board of Estimate to speak at this meeting and I wish to take the opportunity to introduce for about some of the things wished guests on this platform. Men Oh oh my oh a great deal and so far as the construction program of the city is concerned what are their interests than ever convention conviction that what I told them was right I could not have accomplished or nor could my be popular to have accomplished what we have in the rehabilitation of city hall. May I present to you the president of the most populous if not the most populous the home of the Dodgers the president of the borough of Brooklyn the Honorable John Cadman. And then I'd like to present also. THE PRESIDENT I think he's the dean of the board and so far as Save has been signed it comes from the bar in which I was born I had sense enough to move out of it at the seven years when I reached the age of the Use the reason but I still think it's a great for all it's the power of the owner of a city's The president the power of the Bronx the Honorable John James J. Lyons. Then a Yankee road I admit it is the home of the champions and our show called upon probably to greatest power in the city right is that Mason area. The honorable James a landing president of the brother of Queens. And I'm a cause I'm going to take a little privilege being a resident of Richmond. Is my privilege to present the president of my own borrow. The most cynical the most wonderful part of America is the power of Richmond. It's my home borrow and may I present the president of the power Richmond the honorable Albert to the man a scalpel. I had the Holts and I had a phone call from a previous member of the board the predecessor of president minus Cal called the Honorable Judge Baker I call him judge now because he's on a Supreme Court I expect that he be here or I wanted them here because he was on the board of estimates when they appropriated the money with which we did this job. But you have my hand anyway he probably. Is probably calling up the calendar in the attic and they can go ahead of the Supreme Court and on of day is with us today is a man who started the city in many ways in many capacities is a majority member of the Council of the state of New York the honorable Joseph shocking. And. I'm going to lose out on another privilege I was going to take being an engineer I was going to have the privilege I hope to venture dozing of presenting to you the Far East and your name your deputy mayor of the city of New York and please give my hand if it's not fair and just for the engineers the Honorable John J. people. And now with your permission we shall hear and address on city hall and history this is a formidable topic it's a formidable topic to attempt to cover in the five minutes which we have allowed this post speak. On a crowded as you would have met program however the speaker has accepted this challenge he's low qualified to discuss the notable events of op past is chairman of the board of the Museum of the city of New York and it's a happy day for average for me to present to you Mr Clarence G. McKayla chairman. Of the board of the Museum of the city of New York with the. List the may have Commissioner thank you sir guess ladies and gentlemen one hundred and forty four years ago in one thousand eight hundred twelve this off a textural massive piece now so expertly restored to its former beauty was dedicated to New York City Hall it wit Clinton was then mayor and I had been with short too short interruptions almost from the time the scorners cornerstone was laid by Mayor Edward Livingston I made twenty six eighteen hundred three in an editorial this event at the New York spectator wrote in if justice be done to the original designs of the architect of this edifice was by and taste a magnificent with any public structure in the States just as was done John McComas designs and the spectators prophecy has been amply vindicated for today this same city hall is used universally recognized as one of the finest public buildings in the country this venerable structure which we are really dedicating today is just the huge seat of our civic government voice known a star house was built by the Dutch in sixteen forty two on poles street I was demolished in seventeen hundred the second completed in seventeen four stood on the side of the Sub-Treasury building and achieved national fame as Federal Hall and the face capital of the United States the scene of Washington's inauguration. In eighteen twelve when the city government banned it it Federal Hall was taken down in spite of the protests of many problem that citizens farseeing advocates of the preservation of historic buildings even before its dedication city hall became the center of starring events in eighteen nine he recited rated the two hundredth anniversary of Henry Hudson's arrival in New York Harbor in eighteen twenty four laughing yet received it was received here by may have palsy and in the following year the building was the focal point other cities celebrations by the opening of the Erykah Now then an eighteen forty two the great pageant was inaugurated which marked the introduction of Croton water New York thanks public water supply after the Civil War Abraham Lincoln's body lay in state outside of the governor's room where a hundred and twenty thousand citizens filed by to do him on and twenty years later and eighteen eighty five the body was useless S. Grant was honored on the same spot and in ninety nine one hundred years after the face Hudson's celebration the city hall was Aluminite it at night and was the scene of the many of the September ceremonies commemorating this event it is not possible to mention in the brief address more than the small sample of the memorable events which are taking place here nor is a possible a list more than a few to distinguish people who've been welcome at this dog but the list includes King Edward the Seventh of England when he was Prince of Wales. Green the area of Romanian General Pershing Charles Lindbergh who is presented with the city's medal of valor by Mayor Walker So Winston Churchill Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and a concert Prince Bandar the emperor of Ethiopia the cream of the King and Queen of Greece and President Truman who when he called at the City Hall in October twenty seventh one thing forty five was the face of President in office to visit. The roof and pupil of City Hall was destroyed by a fire caused by fireworks repacking the completion of the face the land the cable and A.P. fifty eight far more dangerous than fire however weather suggestions made on several occasions during the latter half of the nineteenth century by well meaning but short sighted postings that's apparently be demolished to make way for a bigger and better one or as one suggested that it be moved at Bryant Park the evidence that all these projects fail is before you today in this beautiful building whose honest to god stories by the elements over the course of many years have been so skillfully erased I do not believe that splendid landmark will ever again be threatened by New York citizens. When City Hall was dedicated in eighteen twelve the population in New York was only over a lot over a little over one hundred thousand today as we know it is over eight million. These amidst this distinction but they reflect a hundred and forty four years of the most dramatic history of any city in the world during the nth time period this proud building has been the seat of US cities government nothing must ever destroy it it is more than our city hall it is a great historic shrine for all New York is a monument to up past and the day a living history in stone and I prophesy of the future of its city each year adding to its beauty Thank you. Thank you so. And I thank a privilege of before I forget it. Saying our appreciation of these wonderful men and women or an operator today I could not begin to mention the organizations or their attachments but I want to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we have to give them the bands including our own sanitation band as one of the army and any others that are ever present May I ask you for a round of applause for those who took part in this fine demonstration. And I may come down all right and say that money. Is an agent which transpires. Transforms plans into reality. Projects such as this reconstruction. Requires great outlays has been published many times to millions of dollars. And capital funds as we know them in the city of New York. The appointed guardian or the elected Guardian I should say of those funds and a city's credit. Is the city's controller. We have in this administration a practical business man. In nevertheless realizes a recognizes the air replaceable value and beauty and vital role which a building such a city all represents. Is an honor and a pleasure in the present to you the honorable aren't a generosity controller of the city New York. Thank you Mrs Amal on best and they have members of the body of the Senate and I am as a city consul and fellow New Jaco's back in the year of eighteen zero two one the original audience was passed by the common console to make the building of City Hall possible another audience ordinance us passed just about the same time which made it possible for me to be here today so I was an ass controller of the city of Najaf the controller's office was actually created on September sixth eighteen zero two and out September thirteenth at the next meeting and all the men from the third wanted my to name a stylish strong was elected by the Common Council S comptroller his salary was a box thirty dollars a week one of the control his first official duties was to prepare an estimate of the revenues needed to finance the city voted for the year of eighteen zero three. The year when the cornerstone was late for city hall the assessed valuation of the city in those days was about one thousand times less than now their real estate rate was about one tenth of one percent and there was no such thing as special taxes or debt service as we have today ladies and gentlemen on this historic occasion let us go back over one hundred fifty years to that point of time when the first controller of the city of New Yawk made his official estimate of revenues to be needed for the city and in a year of Our Lord of eighteen zero three the first biggest item is really thirty two thousand downloads of the alms home the other items are four thousand dollars for street five thousand dollars for roads two thousand four hundred dollars for the police one thousand two hundred fifty for street cleaning seven hundred fifty dollars for inspection of bread five hundred dollars for inspectors of streets three hundred ninety dollars for a door keeper and Messenger other necessary items of expense of firewood and candles for the caught seven hundred eighty six dollars the Karna services three hundred twenty five dollars the keeper of Potter's Field two hundred seventy five dollars set in a public clocks two hundred dollars and there were eleven hundred lamps to be lighted and clean which was estimated to cost three thousand and twenty five dollars and then that was eight thousand five hundred fifty dollars for all three thousand four wells and pumps and five thousand dollars for the fire department. All told including the miscellaneous items the entire estimate for the city's expenses for the year of night eighteen zero three is one hundred three thousand four hundred ninety one dollars and twelve cents so Mr Mayor this is the controllers report for the year of our lot of eighteen out free. Most a controller I hope you don't remember those numbers but those amounts next time I come before you for money oh you won't go any construction in a city New York. Now across the one of the hot jobs of being the top man in any organization is it to save him for last. Everybody get up gets up and says everything now you have the say and you expect the man at the top of the say the real thing and I think today we can expect him to. Is a man of the sight of the city as father before him but so wrong that all of us don't like the remember me as a special pride in the restoration of the spelling. He was chairman of the Planning Commission at the time that I price asked for the money. To do this job. And in fact I think we got the money but several of the Korean War came on and we had to use the money for some of the pipes he'd been intimately connected with it since its inception. I don't think any immigrant son knows New York better than our present mayor he had a hand in advancing this project along every stage of its progress he was president of the bar of Manhattan and was vitally interested in it at the sight of this chairman of the Planning Commission without as support or not as interest. It's rehabilitation would not have been possible it certainly would never have materialized. It is my great honor to present a distinguished man the Honorable Robert F. Wagner the ninety price mayor of the city of New York. Mr Malan Reverend members of the clergy my colleagues on the Board of Estimate tell Shockey representing the council. Mr but Mr Lobel The mission of Paterson. Was a callous and my fellow New Yorkers I may say that and more ways than one this is a great day for all of us in the UK and particularly for the president of the council and the members of the city council and myself because we are housed here and it's been a long two years to see this day finally arrived so they were back in company that might be interesting to note that. The formal opening. Of city hall which took place in eighteen twelve was celebrated on July fourth the procession was made up of a detachment of soldiers under the command of Major Loomis who had attended the laying of the Cornerstone nine years before following the military in the procession where citizens Master Builders High Constable macho dog keeper and Messenger deputy sheriff offices of the mechanics society city Chamberlain clerk to the control. Superintendent of the alms house street commission a police magistrate six members of the Common Council judges and clerks of the supreme and District Courts gentleman of the by the grand master the Spanish Council members of Congress the mayor of Albany the chancellor sheriff Alderman assistants and then finally came the mayor and the recorder when they arrived in this procession at City Hall Park here the mayor made a speech the soldiers fired a Bali and the ceremonies were concluded except for the refreshments which were served to the soldiers and I hope you are taking care of them this time. And the expense of the ceremony paid for by the city was quote the lawful sum of fifty dollars I think since then we've had in place. It may be difficult for many of us in this present generation. To realize that there was a time when the City Hall was the highest building in town and justly entitled to the rank as a skyscraper. When it was completed in eighteen feet eighteen twelve it dominated the entire lower section of the island and was Various to spread variously described as prodigious or colossal the outlook from the two pillar was unrivaled to the south the view stretched clear across the bay and down through the narrow as the wooded heights of Long Island lay to the east while the high hills of West Chester seemed almost within reach and on the west the Hudson could be seen stretching to the NA The grim silent crags of the Palisades forming a most impressive background and now as we realize the great growth of our city. The tremendous services that it gives and is requested to give by its citizens the tremendous building we all take pride in the great accomplishments of New York over these years and here today all of us citizens of New York proud of our city which is a tender and kind city to so many we rededicate ourselves to do our best to try to make it a finer and better and Noble or place in which to live and to work and these dedication ceremonies to we must pay deep respect and gratitude to commission as a moment on its staff and to the architects and engineers. Who made this restoration possible I only heard the other day that the gentleman in charge of the restoration many years ago as a young man went to Vienna to study architecture. And all of us teaches that told him that no one needed to come to Europe to see an architectural masterpiece that the greatest the greatest in the world was city hall in New York City and he had the great opportunity of now having completed this restoration of gratitude to all who have made it possible and dedication to the highest principles of our country under God. As the mayor I just want to make one comment on what you had said You mentioned the price of fifty dollars. Appropriated for the celebration of the laying of the cornerstone that fifty dollars bought so much that we couldn't find the corner stone. I was sure that this time we're going to put it right in the lobby I make the dedication plaque that everybody would be able to see and we won't spend the next fifty dollars celebrating going to. An hour ladies and gentlemen I'm going to ask the sanitation band. Races are dedications and our celebrations quite often the play play you a. Mass the face the music the city of New York. The. Quote. Put quote. Pork. Pork pork board cookbook quibbling with pork called. Put it with. Paul cool cool. Pork But Paul cool whole. Point we're further pork cool thanks Paul thanks Paula Koufax Post thanks Paul thanks Paul. Thank you very much. Nice from here to you. As the leader and the band of the sanitation department sitting in New York. Now immediately after the benediction Oh May a WAG know an abort about him it would proceed and the mayor will cut the ribbon and I will officially reopen the city hall had the free dedication. It learned and a little boy there on veiled to model plaques which are directly inside of the entrance one in honor of the original builders of this building and the mayor said it still stands as one of the finest examples of October in the world. The other in honor of those that board of estimates that rehabilitated the building. Now you may if you wish inspect these tablets immediately after the ceremonies I would ask you to preview the Reus day as we have a rest as to leave the building appraised rise if you will for the benediction of this dedication a rededication by the Reverend Dan M.. Executive director of the proud of the Council of the city of Lagos direct deposit. Let us pray. Almighty and gracious God when we recognize the frailty and weakness and trenchant So you have human flesh. We thank thee that thou hast breathed into the hearts and minds of May on the desire to create that which is beautiful and that which is promised not only for ourselves but for posterity we bless the for the vision of our mayor of our commissioner of Public Works for the members of our Board of Estimate. For all of those who in anywise had responsibility for the decision to refurbish and rededicate and redecorate this city hall we thank the for the energy em talent and skill that has made possible this beautification in this response direction and now we pray that as we rededicate this building we maybe dedicate ourselves to the ideals for which it stands. And now bless us and keep us make Di Flay face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us lift up by countenance upon us and grant us peace both now and in life everlasting Amen. Like yours occupier and thank you for your patience. As an audience you are invited to inspect the building at the appointed hour thank you very much. The matter of the city of New York a member of the Board of Estimate the parchment on our turning it to the east wing of the city hall where a ribbon will be cut which formally announced that the renaissance of the great and beautiful city halls is a stablished again as the seat of the government of the city of New York even though they have been carrying on under the difficulties of renovation America the city and the home plate of the like were printed to the old world building in the last moments of existence here right at the end of the Brooklyn Bridge where for the last few months of this existence it became the City home of the no if you search for so great here in the region of a nation of the old buildings the familiar and the city government moved over into the world building vacant except for the members of the government of the city of New York at tribute to one of the old and famous buildings of the fine of the city with me off let me look back on the wonderful environment of the home while waiting for the mayor to cut the ribbon and. Really establish this new building as a permanent seat again of the government of the city and the author may remind you of the days when the that was a part of the asteroid's whole opponent those lives in the block good mediately opposite city hall the park to where the first Grand Opera New York City was ever sung The Barber of Seville with manual Garcia in his company name and his lovely daughter Maria Garcia married to Mr Malibran who was a merchant in the city of New York at the time and all the wonderful other things that lead up and best of all in the greatest of all St Paul's Chapel where the government of the city of the government of the United States in the presence of George Washington and the entire government of the city march from on that bus that asked the blessing of God on that then young young republic as God's blessing has been invoked on the city again to day by the representatives of the various. It's. It's very interesting when we read the own names the lands the Livingston Astor river the ROM my home have a my are doing James Wayne was the first American Mer after the revolution of the city of New York the Rhineland is the Clintons of our exit there aeons and now were these ceremonies are in the progress of dedicating the two tablets inside City Hall one commemorates the original tablet and those concerned with the building of city hall in its original state and the tablet honoring the present day. The plans as adopted by the Common Council on eighteen hundred three were carried out by Mayor Edward Livingston the with Clinton Marnus Willis and Jacob Redcliffe and then of course today the Honorable Robert F. Wagner Mera the city of New York a pit in my eyes is the respect and the environment of New York's great history a religious respect in fact for the past of its great this is a city the beautiful color guard of the fire department with their magnificent silk flags with the gold frames which always crown the steps of City Hall and create a beautiful colorful background and now leaving the steps and marching out and filed to Park Row and over to the municipal building to park the flags and now the two tablets are dedicated inside City Hall and the mayor the city of New York will be host. Not exactly personally because. He invites you for the next ten days to visit this marvelous building where all the marvelous furniture from the old Federal Hall George Washington's desk which he did the first business of the United States and John Adams Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson all these original desks are here in City Hall the original chairs there in the government so he's at the head of the hanging staircase that beautiful staircase which is copied from a mansion in Edinburgh Scotland that sort of ties up the architect with the McComb because it has been so much dispute about design and that the staircase from Scotland is so beautiful and thirdly McComb came from Scotland and the edifice of city hall is indeed a carrying out a beautiful tradition as well with no reflections on the list I'm a man who divine design the part that which we spoke of and those of man's And also our man I don't know what pronunciation you want to send me N G I N And he designed the first St Patrick's Cathedral which still stands up there on Martin Prince Street where the old burying ground still has some rounds that first expression of the Catholic Faith in New York City in the form of a cathedral St Peter's and Barclay Street is what adjacent here to City Hall and we have all the religious aspects and testimonies that the early founders believed in God and that it was a sacred trust and has been carried out of such through the eight. It would be impossible to conclude the ceremonies without for the information of the radio the audience paying a great and sincere tributes to that magnificent trio who carried out the splendid plans the design and reconstruction of City Hall was directed and supervised by the Department of Public Works Frederick apes the militant Commission and the architect for the farm of a free the land in the harmony and the General Contractors of the public Stone Corporation and the United store and stone works incorporated and they can look with pride on the achievement that is here being dedicated today it's a beautiful achievement the interior of the city hall maybe say has been the refinished as well the draperies are all hanging up in the original brocades and so forth that belong to the windows of the old building the beautiful furniture the beautiful rooms the Duncan five furniture in the committee of the whole room adjoining the Board of Estimate room and mentioning Duncan five his great. Printer places on Fulton Street just opposite St Paul's between Broadway and Church Street from one sixty eight to one seventy two Fulton Street and there are some three examples of Duncan five front a church in the mayor's office and in this Duncan five room opposite the Board of Estimate room on the south side of the building and the south end of the West Wing. It's well to remember that this building has many associations the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in public in the presence of George Washington and the troops in the exact spot where the West Wing the mare's reception office terminates this edifice of city hall in seventeen seventy six Francis tavern still stands at the old Lansing house and there are many the Jumo mansion still stands up there overlooking the Polo Grounds there are many recapture the bull and delightful incidents in the history of the city in the ark which still exist. There's a few houses out on Pearl Street and they used to be on the Bowery a few houses are Park Row nearer to us of course that. Saw George Washington march down that famous thoroughfare to Francis Diven to take leave of the colonial troops all these things are marvelous tie ups with the history of these United States starting so simply and yet in the midst of all this worry all its considerations for the uncertainty of the future this magnificent and beautiful city hall was created. Art is long and life is short and the renaissance of City Hall today is a great tribute to the respect of the present generation for its wonderful inheritance from the past and the great men the great soul headed by the mare the city of New York the honorable Robert F. Wagner the Board of Estimate the ports from and the City Council and the Department of Public Works the architects and the construction men in this great tribute to one of the most beautiful facades that knowledge so in that greatest of all cities the creators of facades Paris France where the bows are exhibited as one of the most perfect facades anywhere in the world for proportion and true beauty and so with this tribute to our beautiful building which is unnecessary but a reminder is always a pleasant thing we leave you now at twenty minutes to two at city hall and look at the same building that the people stood and gazed at in eighteen twelve a war year then when a foreign government thought they could take our sailors off the ships and we couldn't do anything about it the war of eighteen twelve asserted the position before the world even after the winning of the Revolutionary War. It asserted before the world of our rights and our continued and established right for ever as a government and we had no for the difficulties except to take our part and that we have done and taken the parts of others as well who needed assistance and that we will always do and thus we dedicate read it again to our city its intentions and the new city hall every turn you know to the Studios this is the municipal Broadcasting System.