Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-11
THE ARCHITECTS HERE
National Organization Meets
at the New Willard.
THE ANNUAL REPORT
WELCOMED BY ENGINEER COM
MISSIONER BIDDLE.
Standing and Special Committees APP
pointed by the President Of
the Association.

| VIC k1SSOCAae1SA'
Almost a hundred of the most prominent
| architects in the country, as representing
| the twenty-five chapters included in the
American Institute of Architects, met In
! the assembly hall at the New Willard Hotel
this morning for the thirty-sixth annual
| convention of the organization. The dele
| gates were welcomed to the District by
| Engineer Commissioner Biddle, and listen
| ed to addresses by their president, secre-
| tary and the chairmen of various COM
mittees. A committee of credentials was
appointed to examine and report on the Gre
dentials of the delegates.
| The morning session ended shortly after
noon, when luncheon was served in the
| banquet hail. This afternoon the delegates
will listen to addresses by Messrs. Daniel.
H. Burnham, Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr.,
| and Charles Moore, on the improvements OIL
| Washington. The speakers will use lantern
slides to illustrate their talks rms even
ing the members will assemble at the Con
greSSional Library to view the mooelS o.
the plans of the parking commission on OK
hibtion there. Explanations of the models
will be made by the members of the com
mission.
The American Institute of Architects Is
an organization of prominent architects,
who have organized themselves for mutual
advancement. The membership lHCiuueS
III, consisting of 3S1 fellows and S.6 asso-
ciates. The institute is divided into CHAP
tiers located in various parts or the country,
each chapter having It's own local organlza-
ton. Its objects are primarily to increase
the beauty of the architecture of the cities
and towns throughout the country. 1t
was during a meeting of the institute sew
eral years ago that the plan was first pro-
posed that resulted in the appointment or
the parking commission and the evolution
of the plans for the Identification OF the
national capital.
For thrty-six years the leaders in the
institute have battled for the good ana
the beautiful in architecture, and they
have done more than any other organiza-
ton or person In starting ana In keeping
agftated the movement toward purity IN
architecture for residences and Sem1-puDHc
buildings throughout the country. that has
done much to make the American cities
and homes more beautiful to look upon
and more true in the artistic sense.
The organization has purchased for a
permanent home the old Octagon house. at
the corner of 18th street and New York
avenue northwest, and will establish head
quarters in this city permanently. Con-
ventions will be held in various cities, as
heretofore, but the home of the institute
is to be here. III
The officers Of the institute are: Presi-
dent Charles F. Mckim; first vice presi-
dent Frank Miles Day; second vice presi-
dent Alfred Stone, and secretary-treasurer,
Glenn Brown.
The convention was called to order this
morning at 10 O'Clock by President Nc
Kim He welcomed the delegates briefly,
and subsequently introduced Engineer Com
missioner Biddle of the District of Column
bia, who welcomed the delegates.
Welcomed by Col. Biddle.
Colonel Biddle said.
ut is my privilege as the Engineer Com
missioner Of the District to welcome you.
the members of the American Institute of
Architects to our capital city We are
often called upon to depend on the skill and
knowledge of the members of your organ
ization in carrying the work imposed upon
us by Congress- and We are always In con-
slant touch with you. A Boston architect,
with the advice and help Of one from Phila
delphia, has prepared the plans for our mu
nicipal hospital: Baltimore architect has
designed our new pumping station. chi
cago architect will design the union station,
which, hope. Congress will authorize this
session. and New York architect and en-
gineer has made the plans for the new Rock
Creek bridge. which is to be the most beau
tiful in the District. The plans for the new
District building to be opened today, may
or may not go to an outside man.
"Since you last met in this city the ar
chitects who formed the park commission
have given to us an ideal for the beautif-
cation of the city. We hope that we will
be able to realize this idea in its best sense.
To the members Of your organization who
dwell in this city we make frequent ap-
peaIs for help. There are certain things
that require knowledge of architecture
which we cannot secure without consulta-
ton with your members here. The work
of their hands can be seen throughout the
city. The almsnouse, new wage-pumping
station, most of the schoolhouses, engine
houses and police stations are among the
buildings designed by Washington members
of your institution.
Therefore you can see that the welcome
I extend YOU is not the mere formal well
come of the Commissioners of the District,
but on behalf of the people of Washington.
again l welcome you and wish you sue
cess"
Annual Address.
When the applause that followed the adj
dress Of the Engineer Commissioner had
subsidized President McKim read his an
nual address. Mr.. McKim congratulated
the institute on the large attendance at
the meeting and said that the tribute to
the institute made by such attendance is
abundant that they regarded architecture
as an art as we'll as profession and that
they were ready for a time to take thought
for the common good, even at the expense
of personal convenience.
ut is a cause for rejoicing" continued
the president, that the institute, which
has urged upon national, state and munich
pal government the duty Of preserving his
toric monuments. has itself secured pos
session of one Of the historic houses Of
America
Mr.. McKim then spoke Of the purchase
of the Octagon House and briefly reviewed
its history.
than that as time shall f1N the building
with memories and associations of our own
work and achievement" he resumed. lit
NAV become indeed a home to the archi-
tects Of this land. and that it may typify
to those who assemble in it. and to the
citizens Of Washington as well, the spirit
of public service
The work of the institute during the past
year was then. reviewed by Mr.. Mckim,
who concluded: