The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-13
DESIGNERS OF BUILDINGS
Convention of fhe American Iasti-
tute of Architects Opened.
Commissioner STacfarIand's Cordial
INSTRUMENTATION Peabody De-
cIares Washington to BE an Object
Lesson to the Profession az show
ing True and False Architecture.

About 100 members and fellows were
present at the opening of the Thirty fourth
Annual Convention of the American Insti-
tute OF Architects. this morning in the
banquet hall Of the Arlington Hotel. It
was about 10 o'clock, when the president
Of the institute, Robert s. Peabody, of Bos-
ton. took his chair on the platform and
called the gathering to order. He intro
duced Commissioner MacfarIand. who de-
lIvered a gracious address Of welcome
which was heartily applauded.
Robert S. Peabody. the president, then
read his annual address in the course of
which he said:
AS national institution our first duty
IS to our country, SAID Mr.. Peabody.
We all wish to help to our utmost those
in authority in their endeavoFs to make
our Government architecture more worthy
of the greatness and intelligence Of the
Republic. N the city of Washington the
whole country has an admirable object
lesson. No city is more full of architec-
tural warnings. None better exemplifies
N its buildings what IS and what Is not
architecture. One does not need a pro-
fessional education to feel mortified at
the sight OF certain buildings that rave
been thrust upon these beautiful high
ways IN comparatively recent times,
though what architecture is, and Of what
it is capable. Is thrown IN the face of the
most stolid citizen. wherever his eye is
turned beyond the crowded Avenue. to the
green park and the long lines of the mar
bic Capitol, and to the great white dome
rising great and noble above them into
the morning mists. As We feel all this
very deeply, we have reekoned it great
privilege that the National Government
has,-of late years, consulted with our cf5-
GERS and members regarding work in
charge OF the Treasury and several other
departments
eOn these occasions, and az al other
times. we have advocated in an uDselfish
manner. all measures that might lead to
added dignity in our permanent Govern
ment buildings and greater stateliness
throughout our National Capital II great
( Government buildings are TO be scattered
about the country; IL Boulevard is to
traverse the National Capital IL the fu-
tura buildings for the Government are to
be effectively placed in this beautiful city;
if the White House. IL which we all take
such pleasure and pride needs 10 be in
creased In size. we want each and all OF
these works carried out by the best ar
tisJic skill that the country can produce.
and by nothing less efficient. Nor are we
alone in this wish So far as I have Oh
served, the public aspires to eTea better
tnIDss than our b1st talent produces
The current newspapers state taat the
Supervising Architect of the Treasury,
has advised. IN his TeDC-t. that the su-
pervision Of Government work DESIGNED
by private architects be in charge Of the
Government officers. ] hope cur coed
comrade viii find some other remedy for
whatever difficulties there are in apply
ing private practice to public work. An
architects business is TO build buildings
not to sell drawings The desig@sF' 81
pervision, ct least OF artistic details. is
most essential to success, and il is Ger
tainly common opinion that, all over his
country, the constructive portion OF great
buildings are superintendent fer private
corporations by their architects in more
energetic and economical ways than those
Lhat this Government has usually been
able 10 adopt. 1t seems to me, therefore.
that il the Supervising Architect has had
some unfOrtunate experience or II the
Government demands more exactness AID
routine than private clients, the employ
ment OF a really efficient clerk of works
on every building, paid for by the Gov
eminent and under the control of the
architect, and IN addition to his super
vision would probably afford full cure
for such trouble as may exist"
Mr. Peabody expressed his recognition
Of Secretary Cages broad and liberal views
toward art. be said. IF the present
method Of conducting the architectural
work of the Government produces, as we
hope ii will a great result. it Will he due
in the first instance to Secretary Gage"
The report of the board Of directors. re-
viewing the work of the institute during
the past year was read by Secretary
Glenn Brown and adopted.
The receipts OF the last year. according
10 the treasUrer's report amounted 10 So
03S-31; expenditures, S5,372-7S including
$3.50 annual rent for the Octagon House
Glenn Brown, OF this city, IS also the treas
urer of the institute. Committees we're
then appointed and reports read