The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-15

larEing the Executive Mansion.
President Peabody, presiding at the thir-
ty-fourth annual convention of the Amer
lean Institute Of Architects. which has
been in session for several days, in the
lecture hall at the Columbian University, in
opening last nights meeting. announced
tho result Of the election of officers. The
vote on the contest was taken during the
afternoon session, and resulted IN the fol-
lowing officers being elected for the ensu-
ing year:
President. Robert S. Peabody, Boston,
Mass; First Vice President, W. S. Eames,
st. Louis. Mo-; Second Vice President,
Frank Miles Day, Philadelphia. Pa; Sec
rotary and Treasurer. Glenn Brown.
Washington; Board of Directors, J. NJ.
Carrere. New York: James Mclaughlin,
Cincinnati; r. C. Sturgis, Boston; Audi
tors, S. A. Treat, Chicago; E. H. Ken
dali New York
Buffalo, N. Y, was among the various
cities bidding for the next meeting OF the
ls.itute. and the memt ers decided to hold
the convention of 1901 at that city during
the Pan-American Exposition.
Il. Ciipston Sturgis, OF Boston. was then
introduced, and he spoke at length on
English Gardens" He said in part:
AS with English architecture the chief
interest centres about the simpler work
the homely quality of which directly APP
peals to one. SO the smaller and less pre-
tentious English gardens seem in every
RnIe
question of the rival claims Of formal and
informal school, of Italian, French, or
English styles, but merely ! natural, COM
mon sense adaptation of means to an end
direct meeting of needs In the great
Italian and French gardens one feels the
presence OF complete ard studied scheme,
and also a conscious effort for effect AS
opponents Of the art and science of land
scape gardening. French and Italian ex-
amples are distinctly superior to the Eng
iish; but for mere 1ovabie beauty, fitting
the needs of true country lovers, nothing
can touch the English garden. When one
wanders through English gardens with all
their delight one cannot but feel convinced
that common sense and thrift are the roots
on which the beauty has grown and
thriyen.''
A. ID. Hamlin, adjunct professor of
architecture, Columbian University, read
In the course Of his address that the Ital-
ian villa gardens Of the Renaissance are
the highest representations of the sys-
tenn OF arranging combinations Of earth,
rock, plan s, and water upon some arbi-
trary aud conventional system. AS essen
tial features of the Italian villa gardens
the speaker stated: First the selection OF
q sloptng site, cut into terraces afford!ng
a varied prospect from their successive
lnr ntc Ilr thp A;ett
raj treatment OF conspicuous points and
features of the design; thirdly, the use Of
running water in fountains and cascades
upon each level of the design: and fourth
ly, the formal arrangement Of flower beds,
hedges, and avenues so as to provide Wis
tas closed BY decorative structures and to
offer at every turn a pleasing contrast in
the jaxtapcsition Of art and nature.
X. Honda. member OF the Japanese
horticultural Society of Tokyo, discussed
his subject on Japanese Landscape Gar
dening" The lecture was accompanied
with magic lantern slides. Mr.. Honda
said that the south in Japan is always con-
sidered the most suitable exposure for
dwellings among japanese, for the sum-
mer breeze generally prevails from this
direction. This idea is so well observed
in the gi,rden, said Mr.. Honda, that every |
body adheres to the principle. The speak
er said the compositions Of gardens may |
be treated. generally. under two divisions. |
fiat garden and hill garden. which again !
may be subdivided into three different |
forms called. respectively finished"
intermediary and rough Mr.. Honda |
then went on to describe in very inter- |
esting manner the various systems in |
vogue in Japan.
John G. Howard. of New York. read an
essay on French Gardens"
and r. Day, of Philadelphia on Amer
lean Gardens" both of which were favor
ably received.
At yesterday mornings session of the
institute Walter S. Eames presented the
resolution. which was adopted: |
Inasrn,ich as Che White House is one Of the best
Examples OF carly American architectural art and
is il is especially endeared 10 the people the
residence OF all Presidents since Washington and
Is its accommodations are no longer adequate as |
Inc residence and office Of the Chief Magistrate, |
that commission to be largely formed Of archi-
tects Of recognized ability should be appointed
without delay TO either appoint architect TO |
devise the best possible scheme for ita al;cra-
lion and enlargement or TO select an architect
or the purpose by such limited competition as
has been successfully used for other recent Gov
prnn,ent works.
II was further resolved that the country |
will be justly dissatisfied II the very best
possible improvements to the President s |
shall not be secured. A commit
Zee Of three will cal, the attention of Con-
yress to this action.
The second resolution. reported by Mr..
Boring recited that it Yves evident that
he location and grouping of public build
ngs ordering of landscape and statuary
and the extension OF the park system in |
The District of Columbia are matters OF
concern, and should be made in |
accordance with comprehensive artistic |
scheme. After declaring that the execu-
ion of each single structure or public i'm
outside of such 4 scheme
would be an inpediment to the artistic |
development of the District 1t was re-
solved that the institute advocate and |
urge upon Congress the importance OF
procuring through commission created
or this end the best obtaiDable general
icsign for the purpose aforesaid. 1t was
.lso resolved that special committee of
;even members be appointed to draft a |
ill providing for such commission.
The discussion OF both resolutions
brought to the surface unqualified con-
'emnation of the enlargement plan of the |
White House as described on. Centennial
Day by Col. Theodore Bingham.
set OF rules intended to govern COM
petitions was adopted.
This mornings session will open at 10 |
Iclock. when report of committees ap- |
,ointed at the opening session will be re-
eived and considered, and unfinished and
business be disposed Of
This afternoons session at o'clock |
will be the last of the convention, and |
Wind up the thirty fourth annual meeting |
II the society.
THE DEAD FROM CHINA