Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-07

The report OF the commission appointed TO In
vesgate the falling OF the tower OF the Church OF
the Covenant In this city on the morning OF August
21st first made public In The STAR OF yesterday
Will attract wide attention, as well for the crcum-
stances attending the case as the important prin-
ciples involved in its settlement According as
mems interests or pursuits may influence their
Judgment. opinions are likely 10 differ as TO where
the responsibility for such disaster should prop-
erly rest IL is possible, nay likely that In a case
like this criticism or censure may Justly fall In
several quarters: but In the mind OF Intelligent
And disinterested persons there scarcely oxist
doubt that the architect is the one who must
primarily and finally, be held accountable, both
morally and legally. And from this conclusion
there appears TO be no logical escape.
The province OF the architect is to furnish the
designs and prepare the plans and SPECIFICATIONS
and BY him. or with his advice or approval all con-
tracts for carrying them out are made. When he
demands and is paid liberal fixed commission
upon the entire cost OF building constructed
under these conditions he assumes absolute con-
troll Of the affair for his CLIENT and thereby stipu-
lates TO see that only sound and suitable materials
are used, and that the work is properly done In
every respect IL may be- and doubtless it often
happens. that contractors. and those acting under
them Introduce or attempt TO introduce inferior
materials, or slight seek slight the work they
have agreed TO do; but that is matter directly
between them AMI the architect, not between
them and the owner nor between him and the
owner, except the interests OF the latter af-
1ected. That Is precisely what the architect has
undertaken and Is paid to prevent. II, through
Ignorance or careIessness he does not prevent it.
and loss or damage occurs IN consequence he
should not attempt TO shirk the consequences or
fan TO make his client whole in every respect
IL Is hot alone the architects professional repu-
tatiOn that il taken into the account when he is
employed. His technical knowledge, his expert
ence, his Judgment, his vigilance, Ia short his full
ability and willingness TO protect and promote the
Interests Of his client become elemental factors
Upon this point AL the relations between the
architect and his client must rest. II these raqui-
sites De not assured when his services are secured
OF what use Is he? IL the owner must personally
See TO IL that all conditions OF the contract are
faithfully performed and that neither bad material
nor poor workmanship enter into the construction
OF his building, he would naturally part company
with the architect when the plans OF the latter
are prepared, and for which the compensation Is
nxed on basis altogether different from that in
Volving handsome percentage on all the ma
terlalS and labor employed To Us it seems that
no other view justly be held and II an archi-
Iect acting under such conditions should fail 10
step forward and assume the full responsibilities
OF his position and thus hold his employer free
from loss or expense ia making good all resulting
defects OF damages. he should and doubtless
would, be made TO do 50 by the courts of Justice
SenatOr Vest deserves the thanks OF every Wash
ingtOnIan who owns no stock In an overhead wire
company for his vigorous demand OF fair treat
ment TO the capital city and wise consistency In
respect 10 the poleand-wire nuisance In the action
OF Congress. Even those citizens whose private
Interests are Affected by the popular cry for a
burial or the aerial wires will profit by whatever
advances the general welfare OF the city, and can
give a modified approval TO Senator Vests re-
marks The local electric light company. evil
IDENTIFY viewing the burial OF its wires as not i'm
practicable though annoying and expensive is
arranging, as announced, for new and Important
underground link in its chain. The telephone
company is with similar enterprise adding TO its
underground wires. The District is anxious that
Its own wires shall all be buried And the Wash
fngtonians Of the lexington Company when they
contracted with the Massachusetts, corporation
evidently recognized the public sentiment concern
Ing the overhead wires and contemplated the DOS
sbity Of yielding something OF their private in
tereSs for the general welfare as they exacted an
agreement that in the event OF legislation within
twelve mouths requiring the removal OF the poles
the electric company would take them back at
cost IL Is not entirely clear that the public
opinion, thus recognized by all the local interests
will md expression In the laws enacted by two
legislative bodies which are Influenced only TO a
slight degree by that opinion but there Is no CUES
ton concerning the character OF popular senti-
ment.