Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/258

226 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO As to its cost, the hopes of the Trustees were disappointed. Although every effort was made to keep the figures down, it was found, when the bills were all in, that it had cost two hundred and twenty-one thousand, nine hundred and fifty-six dollars. Cobb Hall and the dormitories together, therefore, had cost nearly three hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars, or seventy thousand dollars more than was anticipated. This recalled the days and the experience of the Old University, and awakened, in the minds of some, anxious forebodings. It was an experience frequently repeated. The Committee on Buildings and Grounds was a very conservative and prudent body of men, but in spite of all their efforts, the final cost of buildings often exceeded the best estimates they could arrive at in advance. Toward the close of 1892 the Committee on Buildings and Grounds finding itself swamped with business, and realizing that a long and arduous building era was before it, girded up its loins for the work by an action, the preamble of which is here recorded to illustrate the strenuousness of the committee's work and the devotion with which its members addressed themselves to it: WHEREAS, The amount of business necessary to be transacted by the Buildings and Grounds Committee has become so great that for each member of the Committee to investigate all questions so that he can act intelligently would consume more time than the members of the Committee are able to devote to the interests of the University; and WHEREAS, It is believed that by the appointment of special committees, or subdividing the work so that it will lessen the duties of each member of this Committee, better service and better results to the University will be accom- plished; therefore .... The action goes on to provide for seven special committees, each committee consisting of one man, to be appointed, as follows: a Committee on Plans and Specifications: Martin A. Ryerson; a Committee on Construction: E. L. Corthell; a Committee on Grounds: D. L. Shorey; a Committee on Buildings: E. B. Fel- senthal; a Committee on Temporary Buildings: F. E. Hinckley; a Committee to look after all the interests of the University at Morgan Park: W. B. Brayton; an Auditing Committee: C. L. Hutchinson.