Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-26
IN OFFICES OF ARCHITECTS
Rather a Dull Period Just at the
Present Time.
PLANS FOR CITY IMPROVEMENT
Movement Here Backed by the SEN
timent of the People Of the
,--- Country.

As far as an inquiry has been made the
architects offices give very little Indication
at this time of what the coming building
season is going TO be. Sometimes what Is
going among the designers OF buildings
furnishes a suggestion of what is to be the
probable volume OF business during the
months when the weather permits outdoor
work At this period, however, there is
~nct much of this sort of thing in prospect
so far as the architects are concerned. 1t
Is. apparent hfiDm the signs in question that
there is not going to be much done in the
way of new building during the season, to
open IN the course of the next few weeks.
But fortunately, such a sign Is not con-
elusive or reliable, for sometimes those who
have money to spend do not finally make
up their minds to spend it in the way of
buildings until the season either is just
about 10 open or has already started 1t
may be that the coming months of spring
aad summer ray he busy ones in the build
Ing trades. and still at the same time the
Offices Of architects at this date may be
rather bare of work.
Scarcity of Help.
There is no complaint on this score on the
part of architects themselves. as, in fact
some find it difficult to dispose of what
they have on hand owing TO the scarcity of
utdt tSlltii.. i t!lS latter IS Il COHultlOn
is not confined to misplace for while
there has been a great deal going on here
for the past year or so in the way of new
buildings. the same can be said of other
cities in this country. In addition, the gov
eminent has done much building and pro-
pos-s@t'>'-fo' more, and in consequence the
large force of assistants in the Office of the
supervising architect of the treasury is
not available for private work except such
willing to devote some time during
their leisure hours of the evenings
Tn" field OF operations of an architect To-
Gated in this city is not confined to the
limits of tine city and its suburbs. but COW
"A wide range OF the country. On that
account the Office of architect here may
be crowded with work the bulk of which
relates to construction that is not local.
The calls that are made on members of the
profession located here for designs of build
ings in other places are. of course, a recog-
milton of ability, and also make it posi-
BILE "a maintain larger and better equipped
Offices than would otherwise be the case.
AT the same time additions are being made
now and then to the number of resident
architects. The latest of this class is the
firm Of Frank p -dilburn Co. who have
removed 10 this city from Columbia S. c.
Sketch Competition.
An indication not only of the professional
spirit of the architects of the city, but also
OF ij,eir interest in the city where they live
is found in the sketch competition which
Is now IN progress under the auspices of
the Washington Architectural Club Ac-
cordins to the announcement of the terms
of This competition which has been made
by the committee on competitions consist
ing of Walter q. Peter, chairman; Milton
II Morrill, and Oscar Wenderoth il is con-
sidered by the committee that the future
buildings of the type of the public con-
venience station which has Just been
erected under the direction of the m,l-
Iicipal authorities in front of the Center
a saF u nj
first structure of the sort in the city, might
have more artistic merit
With this end in view, the committee
states. II presents this competition with the