New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-21

been strict in the enforcement Of this clause OF the act
the four disasters which mentions would in jail propa
bility have occurred. The blame must not DC GU
trely thrown on the defect OF the law.
But another serious defect has discovered In the
Building law II contains clause which gives Judges
OF the Supreme the right TO nulfy all its previous
enactments. This clause enables builders to openly
eyade the law. At meeting OF the Real Estate
Association Mr. Joseph Haght made the startling state
ment:
THE laws regulating the erection Of tenements in
this city dead letter, on account OF their In-
practicbity. single house in this city has been
erected in conformity with those laws Ienemeht
Compiled with They provide for permits construct
tenements otherwise tan in conformity Win the aws
builder Of tenement-honse finds it to advantage to
obtain permit as, by nonconforiny, he saves a4 g
5000 in the expense OF constructing a 1sEcLass
tenement These permits are obtained BY the pay
of $3.50 to be lawyer nadrs@@ by the SUI
preme Court, generally by going before Jndge I to
do5o IL so ie efe eonsTneon Of tenements
than three stories in hight We want the present
amended and We intend our best efforts to pre-
vent the passage of the act contemplated We want laws
made that can be Observed and do not want to be nam
pcred with laws which are imperative, ana the evasion
Of which causes an 0%ay Ga WHO" "0 W
There is no mstaking the import Of such language,
and taken in conjunction with the denunciaon OF the
law by MI MacGrcgor this statement should receive the
earnest consideration OF the Legislature 10 IS 10 the
interest OF every man. woman, and chlld OF Ne"-iorh
City, that al defective in its provisions should no
longer be allowed to ncumbcr the statute DOCK OF 'ne
State.
WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE.
In the drawing Of anew act one matter should not
be lost sight Of One OF the most impoc and mlchev-
Influences at work among NewYork builders IL the
habit, only too common, Of employing young clerks IN
their own Offices draw out their plans and specinca
tons of awaiting themselves Of the experience Of
otnpt
things are done great social offence is committed and
the lives ofmembcrs Of the community endangered
Architecture is much profession as physic or law
and physicians and lawyers are amenabe TO
the law il they practice without formal admission,
after examination the ranks Of their respective pro-
fessiOns Why should 1t not be made misdemeanor TOT
an unqualified person to attempt to fulfill the duties OF
an architectl There as much cTiminay in planning
house Syith insufficient cross walls, butresses, ana
Orders from want OF proper education, as there Is IN
administering medicine without thoroughly understahd
Ing its effects undertaking the conduct OF lawsuit
without knowing how to carry 1t through lhdeeo
the crninality is intensified by the possibe-nay the
probabe-sacrhce or injury many persons at once in
stead of separate individuals
There is in New York large and influential Chapter,
numbering many eminent men among nts MEMBERS OF
the American Institute Of Arcltecs-an Institution
which is nationally comprehensive In its scope ana
Jurisdiction. The Chapter is regularly Incorporated
by charter under the laws of the State OF NewIorK
The objects of the Institute are ITO unite in fellow
ship the architects OF this Ccnteat, and to combine
their efforts 80 as to promote the artistic, scientific,
and practical efficiency OF the profession" Article
3 or the constitution says, the means OF accom-
plshing this end shall be- Regular meetings OF
the members for the discussion OF subjects OF
professional the reading Of essays lectures
upon topics of general interest; school for the educa
ton of architects exhibitions of architectural drawings
library; collection OF designs and models; and other
means calculated to promote the objects OF the Institute
Here an association of gentlemen we'll known and OF
high standing their profession, and to them might be
very safely intrusted the granting Of diplomas the
saTae principle in vogue among medical and legal
societies. Accredited with such powers, the American
Institute OF Architects wOnd become source VI great
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