The times., 1898-11-02
ARCHITECTS CONVENTION
President Post Objects to Pol
itics in Art.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
Some Structures Erected by the
United states n Bep-onch to Into l.
1iEence-Secretary Gage Praised
Proposed Change An the By-Laws-
Visit to the Library of Congress.


began its thirty-seeond annual conven-
ton at the Arlington Hotel yesterday.
John b. Wight, president of the Board
of Commissioners of the District of CO.
lumbia, welcomed the delegates on be-
half of the District government. and
Joseph c. Hornhlower welcomed them in
the name of Washington Chapter.
George B. Post. of New York, president
of the Institute. delivered his annual ad-
dress. which follows:
The program for the thirty-second
onvehtion of the American Institute of
Architects. as usual, requires that the
proceedings shall be opened by an address
from your president
'-on former occasions 1Thave directed
your attention 10 the unexampled rapidity
with which the fine arts have developed
in America since the first organization of
this association. and to the prominent
part taken by the architects in this de-
Yelopment: To the growth of the asso-
citation itself from a body weak in num-
berS and weaker still in the influence of
its members individually and collectively,
10 an organization extending over the
country; an organization which has be-
come recognized power in all ques-
tions directly or indirectly pertaining to
architectural art.
Il have directed your attention to the
dangers which menace our art, and to
the fact that If true TO itself the future
OF the profession is clearly in the control
of this institute
II now desire to extend to its members
my most hearty congratulations, for
although d period of general depression
in individual business, the past year has
been marked b. three events which viii
form an era in the history of American
architecture.
The wise Secretary of the Treasury,
the present honored head of that depart
ment which is the great builder for the
government, has not only established
most important precedent and practically
made public recognition of the fact
that educated talent is essential to
economy and success in the work of our
profession, but more important still. that
there should be no politics in art-by the
appointment of a supervising architect
after most careful and exhaustive COM
petitive examination conducted by spe-
cIally appointed civil service commission
consisting of a board of architects of
recognized position in their profession.
For almost the first time in the last
three decades We have seen architects in
private practice selected by fair compe-
tition. judged by expert jurors. for the
design and erection of governmental
buildings. A practical recognition of the
fact for years asserted by the unani-
nous voice of the profession that worthy
architecture cannot possibly be secured
except by accident from a Government
its chief. where the mass of business in
the maintenance and repair OF existing
buildings is so enormous that the work
Of design Is of necessity largely dee
gated to assistants. Under these circum-
stances excellence must be at best a lot
trry.
In all ages and in all countries employ
ment for the design and erection of gov-
ernment work has been the maximum re-
ward Of professional distinction. Conse-
qUently the structures erected by the
government Of a country have been gen.
orally and properly accepted as the most
reliable and decisive proof of the civiliza-
tion of the period and race by which they
were produced.
''Alasi for the verdict of future ages
upon the excellence of the art and civili-
cation of America in the latter half OF
the nineteenth century, If judged by such
monuments the Pension Building and
the postoftice. and the great ma jority of
structures erected from designs in the Of
fices of our Government.
unfortunately these buildings are built
with eXtravagant excellence and will
stand for ages a travesty upon the art
of the country, a reproach to the inteIli-
gence of those in power who have re-
fused TO listen TO the urgent and repeated
opinions of those qualified by education
and experience to give advice, and have
persistently neglected to use the means
always at their hands to procure designs
which should at least represent the av-
erage skill and economy daily shown by
the architects of the country in private
practice.
1T is the clear duty of this body. the
great representative society of American
architects. never for an instant to relax
It's efforts until such time as the crea-
tion by the Government or such artistic
monstrosities shall be impossible
we have seen by the recent precedent
established by the Treasury Department
that persistent protest and untiring eff
fort VIII surely bear Its fruit
This institute should never pause In
It's e1ertions until Congress has passed
the necessary amendments to make IL
mandatory for the design and construc-
ton of each important building to be
erected by the Government in any of its
FaDDOlnteQ
either directly or by limited competition
sn architect whose ability has been thor
9ughly proved by success In private prac-
tice. and that the fees for his services
paid by the Government shall be those
recognized throughout the civilized world
as the proper and just recompense for
such services-the fees hehearsed in the
schedule of charges of the American In
stitute of Architects and uniformly paid
by individuals and corporations in all of
our great business centers
Provisions should be demanded for the
appointment of proper juries of award
composed OF experts in the case of all
competitions. and to provide for the ex-
penses of each juror as well as for the
payment of a moderate and proper fee
For the first time In its history the in
stitute has established permanent head
quarters As is eminently proper the
permanent home of the national organiza-
ton is located in the National Capital.
In the march of events the institute
has outgrown its old code of laws. and
under new constitution you are now
called upon to consider new code of by
laws. II Is a matter of regret that SC
large a part of the time of this convention
must be of necessity devoted to this sub
ject. and IL is earnestly hoped that your.
consideration of the question may-be sc
careful and your decisions so wise thai
the time of future conventions may be
free from the discussion of the mass OF
subjects of more general interest than the
minute details of interior organization"
The report of the board of directo-,
was submitted and was read by the sec
retary. Alfred Stone, of Providence. tn,
report recites the history of the move
nient leading to the selection of the Oc-
-Ds