The record-union., 1898-11-02
AMERICAN ARCHITECTS.
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
Secretary Gage Commended in
Opening Architectural Work
to Public Competition.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The thirty
second convention of the American In
stitute of Architects convened to-day,
and will continue three days. Many
of the best-known architects and de-
signers in the United States are in
attendance.
George B. Post of New York, Presi-
dent of the institute, in his annual ad-
dress, warmly commended the action
of Secretary of the Treasury Gage in
opening Governmental architectural
work to public competition.
He has not only established most
important precedent, and practically
made a public recognition of the fact
that educated talent is essential to
economy and success in the work of
our profession,,' said Mr.. Post, but
more important still, that there be
no politics in art, has appointed a su-
pervising architect after a most careful
and exhaustive competitive examina-
tion conducted by a specially appointed
Civil Service Commission consisting of
a board of architects of recognized po-
sition in their profession.
For almost the first time in the last
three decades, architects in private
practice have been selected by fair
competition for the design and erection
of Government buildings. 1t is a
practical recognition of the fact for
years asserted by the unanimous voice
of the profession, that worthy archi-
lecture cannot possibly be secured, ex-
cept by accident, from a Government
office. In all ages and in all countries
employment for the design and erection
of Government work has been the max
imum reward of professional distinc-
ton Consequently the structures
erected by the government of a country
have been generally and properly ac-
cepted as the most reliable and de-
cisive proof of the civilization of the
period and the race from which they
were produced
Almost from the verdict of future
ages upon the excellence of the art
and civilization of America in the lat
ter half of the nineteenth century, if
judged by such monuments as the
Postoffice building in this city and the
great majority of structures erected
from designs prepared in the offices
of our Government.
Unfortunately these buildings are
built with extravagant excellence, and
will stand for ages against the art of
the country and a reDroach to the in
telligence of those in power.
This institute should never pause in
its exertions until Congress has passed
the necessary amendments to make it
mandatory that for the designation
and construction of each important
Government building there shall be
appointed either directly or by limited
competition an architect whose ability
has been thoroughly proved by sue
cess in private practice, and that the
fees for his services paid by the Gov
ernment shall be those recognized
throughout the civilized world as just
compensation for services, the fees re-
hearsed in the schedule of charges of
the American Institute of Architects,
and uniformly paid by individuals and
corporations in all of our great busi-
ness centers."
Reports of the Board of Directors,
Treasurer and the various standing
committees, were submitted, after
which the convention proceeded to the
consideration of the new code of by
laws, presented by Chairman Andrew
of the committee having the matter in
charge.