New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
WOULD LICENSE ARCHITECTS
CONVENTION DECIDES TO PRESENT TO
THE LEGISLATURE A BILL IN
TENDED TO WEED OUT
INCOMPETENTS

A convention of the practising architects OF the
State was held in the rooms Of the Architectural
League in Fiftyseventh-st, yesterday for the pur-
pose OF acting on proposed legislation relating to
the registration of architects in the State. About
eighty architects were in attendance from all parts
OF the State.
The convention was called to order by r. w Glib
son, the president of the Architectural League
Louis De c. Berg was elected permanent chairman
and Woodruff Leemng secretary.
A committee appointed in March 1900. consisting
of Charles F. McKim, ]. F. Harder, William F.
Russell, r. W. Gibson. Woodruff Leeming, william
A Boring, Thomas Hastings and others, reported
that had considered several suggestions for the
elimination of unworthy architects from practice,
and had finally decided to recommend the passage
of bill by the Legislature providing for the eN-
animation and registration of every architect in
the State by State Board of Architects TO he ap-
pointed by the Governor. Walter Cook represent
ing the New-York Chapter of the American lnsti-
tute OF Architects, presented protest signed by
nearly thIee-fourths of the members of the chap
ter against the convention recommending such
bill. The grounds given these: That no law
should be urged unless if enacted. the result would
be positive and beneficial; that law could be
passed that would take away from any individual
the right to design and construct his own bullunS,
to have the work done by any one he might
select that the apparent analogy with the bar and
the medical professions does not exist. as only
members and registered physicians are allowed TO
practise in this State and that the registered archi
tect would have empty title with no powers;
that examination could deal with other than
constructive knowledge, and that among the regis
tered architects would many names that we
would hesitate to recognize properly entitled to
be called architects the anomaly would be pre-
sented of architects registered by the State on
count Of presumed constructive knowledge, while
the engineers, whose special attribute is such
knowledge not registered"
The protest further stated that the architects de-
sired TO be classed with the artistic fraternity and
that their position would not he advanced if they
were compelled to register. The protest was placed
file.
Mr.. Harder declared that 1t a necessity
that law be passed at which would protect
the public from dishonest and pilfering architects.
On Mr.. Harder's motion resolution adopted
providing for the appointment Of committee TO
draft bill covering the subject to be presented at
the afternoon session. The chairman appointed
Messrs. Harder. Cook, Pierce, Dresser and Cox
head the committee.
The committee in the afternoon handed up a
port containing draft of bill which after
long discussion was finally received. The bill pro-
vides that within sixty days after Its passage
by the Legislature the Governor shall appoint nine
persons, to constitute the NewYork State Board of
divided into three classes. the first 10 serve three
years, the second two years and the third one
year The members are to serve without remu-
neration. but shall be reimbursed for their legiti-
mate expenses. The members of the Board shall
annually elect from their number a president and
a secretary, who shall also be treasurer. to hold
with the approval Of the Governor, rules and reg
uldllOnS lot the examination ana registration or
applicants.
The fee for examination Will be at least $50 If
the examination of any applicant be satisfactory TO
a majority of the Board certificate shall be is
sued TO him on the payment Of additional fee
of $l5 emitting him to practise a person who
shall at the time of the passage OF this act be en-
gagged in the practice Of architecture shall be
titled Ia registration without fee examination on
the presentation Of a satisfactory affidavit to that
effect. Any certificate Of registration shall be
voked by, the Board for gross ignorance, reckless
ness or dishonest practices but certificate shall
be revoked without proper hearing. Any person
who pursues the practice OF architecture or who
adVertises himself as SUCH without registration
shall be guilty Of misdemeanor. and shall be
fined in a not less than so nor than $500
Nothing in the act Is TO be construed TO prevent
any person from designing his own building. 10
prohibit architects of other States from acting
architects for any building, prevent students
employees OF registered architects from acting
for upon the authority OF such architects.
1t was decided to refer the bin to committee OF
one hundred arChite is. to be appointed by the
chairman. for such further revision may be
necessary. and 10 present # and urge It's passage
in the Legislature and TO cndeavor to have the
Governor sign IL.