Evening star., 1898-11-03

out and there are indications that this ex-
ample will be widely followed while the
proportion of flre-proof pri*4te dwellings
has increased enormously within the past
two years in the eastern states
There is reason to believe that this ten
dency will increase, and it is certain to
create demand FOE improved, and, es-
pecially, for cheaper methods of building
re-proof floors, roofs and stairs and your
committee thinks that the members of the
institute may confer nm sfmpertaut favor
on the profession by communicating to the
secretary, for the common good, such sug
gestions as they may have to offer on the
subject during the coming year.
There are many simple methods of floor
and stair construction In use in Germany.
Italy, France, Spain aad Mexico, which
could be adapted to our needs, besides those
which our architects might and often do
devise for special cases. 1t is very credit
able to the state of the building art in
this country that nearly all the cheaper
foor constructions are patented, and pay,
presumably, a considerable royalty to the
patentees: and 1t is certainly within the
capacity of American architects, who lead
the world in other details of fire-proof con-
struction, to invent in the ordinary course
of their professional work, floors, roofs
and stairs much better than anything yet
in use.
~-~ Foreign Cities.
"In foreign cities the past year has been
remarkable for the establishment of sew
ton of new methods and materials of con-
struction, and your committee thinks that
the influence of members of the institute
might, with great advantage to the public,
be eKerted to promote similar action on the
part of municipalities in this country, so
that new devices could be properly tried
before adoption in practice"
aThe convention adopted a resolution ex-
pressing the thanks of the American Insti-
tute of Architects Ito the Washington
Chapter of the A. /. A. for the complete
ness of the arrangements for transacting
the business of the convention, and the en-
joyable entertainment of it's members to
the Cosmos Club for extending to the men,
bers of the institute the hospitalities of the
club; to Mr. Bernard b. Green, NJ A. s.
Cre superintendent of the Congressional
Library, for the opportunities to visit and
inspect the library and the details of its
construction and operation, and to Mr..
Charles Ffoulke for his lavish hospitali-
ties
When Bylaws Take Effect.
1t was resolved that the new bylaws so
into effect January l, 1899. Prof. Sabine Of
Harvard College. DR.. Cyrus Adler and Prof.
G. B. Merrill of the Smithsonian Institution
were elected corresponding members.
President Pest made few remarks by
way cf farewell. He thanked the delegates
for their courteous consideration of and ac-
tion upon II alters suggested by him. He
urged that the members of the chapters,
upon returning to their homes, make re-
newed and active effort to increase the
membership. He advised strict observance
of the code of ethics and principles govern
ing the institute, SO that it's future shall
continue honorable and useful. The con-
vention warmly applauded him.
Session Last ESeninE.
DR.. Cyrus Adler of the Smithsonian In
stitution read his paper, The place to be as
~;<~
at the session of the convention last night
He spoke of the elaborate care given the
architecture of the galleries of the syna-
eogues, and traced it to the custom of the
Jews to separate the sexes at public wor-
ship. 1t was not until fifty years ago that
some CT the reformed congregations aban-
doned the practice, while the, orthodox still
hold to the custom. Referring to the pc
culiar pointed towers of Jewish houses of
worship, he traced their origin to an an
cient Hebraic law that the synagogues
must oVertop all other buildings of the
town.
H. G. Bradlee of Boston read paper on
the general practice in regard to the em-
ployment of electric. heating and sanitary
engineers He said the engineer should be
employed by the architect, and not by the
owner and the minimum rate of commits
sion, as fixed by the American Institute,
per cent on work costing over $4,000.
should be received. He continued:
The practice of architects has undergone
a gradual but very DECIDED change during
the last fifty years, The range of building
material at their disposal has been greatly
increased. On the other hand, the work of
an architect is no longer confined to the de-
sign of a building. which is INTELLECTUALLY
beautiful, carefully planned and substan-
tally constructed, but today he must EQUIP
the building with a complicated system of
mechanical and electrical apparatus and
must design and provide for network of
pipes, fiues and wires running through all
parts of the building. The architect of a
modern building must be an engineer and
must be familiar with mechanical, cleo
trical and sanitary engineering in all it's
DraLcheS.'
Secretary Gage COmplimented.
complimentary reference was made by
President Post to the fact that the Secre-
tary of the Treasury has held more COM
petltlVe eXamnattions-one at Norfolk, Va
TO secure plans for custom house there
the award having been made to the firm of
Noting & Wyatt
Mr.. Wyatt Of the firm who was present
MADE few remarks praising the supervis-
ing architect Of the treasury for the skill
and experience displayed in the preparation
of the specifications p
He was followed by Mr.. Waring, who
n ade feiicitous address on behalf of the
convention, thanking President Post for his
iaoor Whlle IN the chair, and then he pre-
sented handsome gavel to Mr.. Post, who
responded with appropriate words, EXPRESS
ing his gratitude.
The convention passed a resolution of
thanks to Mr.. Post.
Treasury OMciaI's Remarks.
Supervising Architect Taylor of the
treasury was in the audience and was
called upon. He suggested that the insti-
tute recommend to the Secretary of the
Treasury that some compensation be made
those architects who were unsuccessful in
the competitions for government work and
who were put to considerable expense in
their work.
Mr. Iotten, who represented the institute
at the international congress of architects
at BRUSSELS read his report, stating that
but few architects from the United States
were present, but that many from III ever
Europe were in attendance.
The Election.
The election of officers resulted as fol-
lows: President. Henry Van Brunt; first
vice president, w. l.. B. Jenney; second
vice president, ]. w. Mclaughlin; secre-
tary and treasurer, Glenn Brown; auditors,
S. A. Treat for two years., E. H. Kendall
for one year,; directors, for one year,
Frank Miles Day. Joseph c. Hornblower,