The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-05-13
FORMING A CHAPTER.
President Boone's Address to
Architects
ETHICS or The PROFESSION.


Sae ADDRESS OF frS8tdens W4ti4M =. DuSu&s
Of Seattle. On May 10 Mr. Boone opened
the meeting In declaration Of it purpose.
- follows:
''Fcr some time rsst the architects Of
this stats have. in . desustory ana unsys-
temasic way. been debating With one an
other the advisabsiity OF establishing .
chapter Of architects which should bring
together and organize ali the worthy menu
hers Of the craft within the boundaries Of
Washington. The necessity for such m
organization vas admitted by everybody.
It's absence Was deplored by oil who de-
sired TO preserve in their integrity. on this
virgin coil, the honorable traditions and
geutiemanly practices OF the profession.
As check and lettering restraint upon
the greedy and interruptions il Was rightly
held that such An organization would
be not less beneficial TO the great body Of
upright architects than to the entire COM
munity. 1t was also strongly desired that
We should take the necessary steps for adj
mission to that important body, the Amer
lean Institute OF Architects, whose intiu-
encs upon American architecture has al
ready become most extensive and bene-
fetal. The constitution Of this great body
defines an architect ~ a professional Per.
son, whose occupation consists in origi-
mating and supplying artistic and sc.en-
tific data preliminary TO and In connection
with the construction of buildings, their
appurtenances and decorations; in super
visinA the operations Of contractors there
for, and in preparing contracts between
the proprietors and contractors thereof
In the same constitution il prescribed this
rule Of conduct for those who belong to the
institute, and which Is the true rule every
where and in all conditions and circum-
stances:
..No member shall accept direct or in
direct compensation for services rendered
ia the practice Of his profession, other than
the fees received from his client
1.-The necessity Of efiecting IN organixa-
ton here a. an indispensable prerequisite
10 the performance Of our professional OBJ
legations TO this national body OF archi-
tects was well stated five years ago in the
annual address Of the president of the
American institute Of Architects in these
words: The institute depends upon the
chapters for its life blood and could not
exist any more than the body without Its
members II the chapters were not alive
and active. Chapters should. therefore,
be strong In membership and earnest in
work. perfecting every suggestion for the
advancement OF the profession, consider
ing and furthering all educational and
helpful methods and bringing TO the con-
ventions of the institute all matters ac-
complished and under consideration that
large. The practicing architect. from the
very diversities of his duties and require
monts. gains largely by constant inter-
course with his confrerss. The inter
change of ideas and personal experience
IL Of inestimable benefit to him and to his
clients; in fact, it should be the sslf-pro-
tectsng duty Of every architect to belong
to one Of the chapters
al would here suggest that too often
young men. fresh from study, in the FIRE of
ambitious enthusiasm, but yet untaught by
stern lessons Of experience, are eager to
establish new leagues, associations, soci-
cites and clubs, rather than affiliate with
established institutions and reap she profit
OF proved effort A little reflection would
teach them that the older institutions
have formulated those rules and regula-
tons, those principles Of art and practice
which have elevated the profession in
America to its present honorable stand
ing; that through the insistent and per-
sistent course of the institute for the
rights. for the dignity and for the position
of architecture ~ a tine art, SO long ig-
nored in this country. they have. through
presidents created for them, been spared
some fierce contests. Let them rather
profit by the paternai care of the institute
~ their adviser and advocate. stretching
forth with tho strength and vigor of new
inspirations to reach the ideal Of its
standards. taking for the underlying prin.
ciple mutual assistance and cooperation
In the more familiar intercourse OF the
chapters
.Eirmly impressed with the very great
Importance to US of the truths thus ex-
pressed by President Hunt, the architects
of the city of Seattle resolved to take some
practical measure for the establishment of
chapter of architects in this state. What
form this measure should assume was tho
first matter for decision. The advisability
of issuing an unauthorized and unofficial
call for mass meeting or convention of
architects At some given time and place
for the purpose OF organizing q chapter
was carefully considered and tho conciu-
sion was reached that, In the conditions
just now prevailing here, the success Of
such q call would be at least problemat-
tcai. IL was apprehended that any mis-
carriage of the initial movement would
have the effect of delaying too long the ac-
complainant OF our main object-the
founding OF a chapter. II was therefore
deemed better to create . chapter out of
the material at hand and then solicit the
cordial cooperation of the entire profession
IN the state IN making is really and truly
what II Is already In nsme-the Washing
ton Chapter of Architects. We accord
inety organized this chapter by the
adoption OF constitution and by
laws and the election of officers: .
and We are now before you, gentlemen of
Tacoma. for your approval and co-opera.
ton, OF which. indee3 we have never en- .
tertained a doubt Your brethren in Sc
attic claim no primscy. pre-eminen nee or
privileges in the chapter. The work which
they submit to you is provisional only,
and they EXPECT ID to be amended I'm
proved and strengthened by your zeal, in
telisgencc, wisdom and experience. Their
hope aud wish Is that after you have sub
scrloed the bylaws and thus become mem.
bers OF the chapter meeting of the chap
ter be. a. early as convenient, held in tho
city OF Spokane, 10 afford our brethren
there an opportunity of joining hands with
us. With Seattle. Tacoma and Spokane
thus enrolled under the banner of the
chapter Ne can arrange for further meet
ings IN the other large towns of the state,
30 As 10 enable all the reputable and hon.
oraaie architects of Washington to affiliate
with o. When the organization Is thus
perfected, with every part OF tho state rep
resented. the permanent home of the chap
ter can be fairly and satisfactorily located.
within the past decade no part of the
United states has done more building reia-
lively than Washington. Much Of il las
ese's OF highly important character, and
stiii more important work Is to be done in
the near future. IL behooves the profess
zion to exert ali its influence in the most
sHecase ana systematic manner for the
establishment and maintenance of a high
standard OF professional ethics. srchfte;a-
raj skill and solsdity of construction. The
paeiie ~iti judge Us iayora5ly or anfavor-
abiy In proportion as We erect and main
tara Tor our own guidance and control a
high or low standard and rule o. action
tn these srsnscendeatly important re-
spec;s. Lake ali other professions we
CRATE our own position ia the public
h4fd- oar business is closely related 20
Tie protection aud preservation of human