Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-13
AMERICAN INSTITUTE
81 Io
ss III re-
Leading Architects Of the Country
Assembled"m Convention.
Ia
Mr.. PEABODY'S NOTABLE ADDRESS
Identification Of the Nations
Capital Its Lofty Theme.
MUCH OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


When President Robert s. Peabody of
Boston called the thirty-fourth annual con-
vention of the American Institute of Archi-
tects to order This morning in the Arlingto on
banquet hall there were about a hundred
members present. Mr.. Peabody made brief
remarks, introducing District Commissioner
Macfarland, in the course of which he said
the members had been accorded a high
privilege yesterday in listening to very
instructive address BY the presiding Com
missioner of the national capital
In welcoming the institute to Washington
Mr.. Mcfarland said In part, after cordially
greeting the visitors:
You have done much in preserving and
identifying the old octagor house.
watched that historical old building year
after year with the deepest regret that moth
ing was being done for 1t. We hope to re-
ceive from you while here the very instruc-
tons that we need in making this city the
most beautiful Of capitals. We think there
is capablity here that Is almost boundless
and inexhaustible. The natural surround
ings of Washington offer many opportuni-
ties for Improvement. You are leaders in
your line of thought. Give us the ideas we
need and we shall receive the lesson CRATE
fully and heed it surely We welcome you
now. We will welcome you always
Mr.. mcfarland was given a, salvo Of ap-
plause.
Duty to the Country.
President Peabody read his annual ad-
dress, which embraced large number of
recommendations. He laid special stress
upon the adoption of high professional
and personal code of ethics. Being ma
tional institution" he said, "our first duty
is to our country. We all wish to help to
our utmost those in authority in their en-
beavers to make our government architect
ure more worthy Of the greatness and in
telligence Of the republic.
'In the city of Washington the whole
country has an admirable object lesson.
No city is more full of architectural warn
ings. None better exemplifes in its build
ings what Is and what Is not architecture.
One does not need professional education
to feel mortified at the sight Of certain
buildings that have been thrust upon these
beautiful highways in comparatively re-
cent times, though what architecture Is
and of what 1t is capable is thrown in the
face of the most stolid citizen whenever
his eye is turned beyond the crowded ave-
nue. to the green park and the long lines
Of the marble Capitol and to the white
dome rising great and noble above them
into the morning miSts.
Greater StateIiness.
GAS we feel all this very deeply we have
reckoned it a great privilege that the ma
tional government has Of late years con-
suited with our officers and members re-
garding work in charge Of the treasury
and other departments. On these occa-
sions, and at all other times, We have ad-
vocated in an unselfish manner all meas
ures that might lead to added dignity in
our permanent government buildings and
greater stateiness throughout the national
capital. If great government buildings are
to be scattered about; the country; If a
boulevard is to traverse the national capt.
tall if future buildings, fer the government
are to be effectively placed in this beautiful
city; If the White. House, in which we all
take such pleasure and pride, needs to be
increased in size, We want each and all
these works carried out by the best artistic
skill that the country can produce and by
nothing less effective.
Public Aspiration Higher.
Nor are we alone in this wish. So far as
I have observed, the public aspires to even
better things than our best talent produces
They want the very best Now that archi-
lecture is a matter Of active interest to a
great number Of people in all parts of the
country, 1t ought to be possible to bring
to life again the admirable artistic spirit
that 100 years ago planned the city of
Washington and built its earlier and best
monuments
After calling attention to the discussion
Of the subject and the exhibition of draw
ings at the Columbian University lecture
| hall this evening President Peabody, said:
THE current newspapers state that the
supervising aTcnltect Oh the treasury mas
advised in his report that the supervision
Of government wsra<, designed by private
architects, be in charge Of the government
office. I hope our good comrade will find
some other remedy for whatever difficult
ties there are in applying private practice
to public work. An architects business Is
to build buildings, not to sell drawings
THE designers supervision, at least of
artistic details, is most essential to success,
and it is certainly common opinion that all
over this country the constructive portions
Of great buildings are superintendent for
private corporations by their architects In
more energetic economical ways than those
that the government has usually been able
to adopt. 1t seems to me, therefore, that If
the supervising architect has had some I'M
fortunate experience or If the government
demands more exactness and routine than
private clients, the employment Of a really
efficient clerk Of works on every building,
paid for by the government and under the
control of the architect would remedy the
difficulty"
Praise for Secretary Gage.
Mr.. Peabody praised Secretary Gage for
his broad and liberal Views toward art, and
said: IF the present method of conducting