New-York tribune., 1901-01-30
LICENSING ARCHITECTS.

A bill has been introduced in the Assembly pro-
viding for a State Board of Architects to consist
OF nine persons. AIlarchitects must register with
this Board 10 continue in practice, and here
after all who engage in the profession must
take examinations and procure licenses or be
guilty Of a misdemeanor and subject 10 a fine
of not less than $50 nor more than $500.
This measure has been drafted by one body
of architects and is strenuously urged by them.
Another body of architects are equally opposed
to it. We shall not at present attempt 10 dis
cuss the question al issue with reference TO it's
bearing on the development of architecture.
Nor shall we consider the bills ostensible pur-
pose to promote public safety. except 10 point
out that building laws already exist. and If
necessary can be made more rigid. requiring
official approval Of the structural features OF
buildings so as to insure their safety without
attempting 10 prescribe who may or may not
draw plans The primary objection 10 the bill
is that il would embark the State in a work
which is not properly Its concern True. tho
State has already undertaken enterprises some
what similar in character. but the precedent is
bad one not to be followed For some years
the tendency at Albany has been TO multiply
the activities of the State far beyond the limits
of sound policy. The result is the extravagant
and overofficered governmental machine, Of
which Governor Odell has made such deserved
and pointed criticism. The Governor and Legs-
lature now at work trying to abolish some
of the many boards which have been created in
response to demands like those of the archi-
tects. The creation of n in face of
that effort for retrenchment ought not to be
thought OF.
The State already does too much licensing and
examining. Not only are lawyers, physicians
and embalmers, but horseshoers and account
ants, examined and if some persons had
their way no man could bake bread or hoe corn
without having paid fee and become a mem
ber of a grand officially conducted trades union.
or some of these occupations State control is
necessary. A lawyer is public officer. Some
safeguard must be thrown about the practice
of medicine. There is way of checking the
incompetence of doctor when he is once
called. Therefore his fitness must be guaran-
teed beforehand With most other professions
and trades there is no need for this care If
people wish to employ bad architect a bad
shoemaker il is their own affair, so long the
general welfare is not menaced The best gov
ernment is not necessarily the one that gov
erns least, as some have thought, but good
government of American traditions is not one
which is forever interfering with its citizens
and placing restrictions upon them. The police
power should be exercised to make them re-
spect the public and one anOther's rights, to
hold them responsible for any wrong, whether
by erecting unsafe buildings or committing
murder. 1t should not be used to convert the
State into a socialistic guild system, with an
official Rhadamanthus at the door to every pri-
vate occupation. Carried to its logical conclu-
sion the policy of this architects bill means Just
such system.