The Washington herald., 1907-01-09
WEBB GIVEN MEDAL
Noted English Architect Is
HOnOred by His Fellows.
OCCASION IMPRESSIVE ONE
Ceremony in COrcOran Gallery of
Art Marks Beginning of Golden
ArehitectS-ReceptiO for Sir Aston
Is One of Features of Meeting.


presented with the first gold medal award
ed by the American Institute Of Archi-
tects for distinguished achievement in
architecture. The occasion was the be-
ginning OF the social fetes to mark the
golden jubilee Of the society. Distin-
guished personages were there by the
hundreds from ali over the United States
and Europe. The presentation ceremony
was a simple one. President Frank Miles
Day made the presentation address; Sir
Aston responded, and Mr.. Esme Howard.
c. v. O., charge d'affaires Of the British
Embassy, delivered a message from his
majesty King Edward VII in the absence
of the ambassador.
No more beautiful setting for the cere-
mony could have been selected than the
CorcOran Gallery Of Art The brightly
lighted main saloon, with its white colon
ades and handsomely gowned women,
and black and white suited men winding
in between. made a picture seldom seen at
a similar function
A small dais was placed at the foot of
the main stairway in the center. The
decorations were extremely simple The
white marble stairway, with several
statues on either side. almost lost I'm a
fringe Of palms and evergreens, and a
big marble statue Of Augustus Caesar
in the center of the landing, with the
American and British flags draped to-
gether Immediately behind, formed a
background for the speakers. Other than
the flags, greens. and the women's gowns,
the hall was entirely devoid Of color.
Reception for Sir Aston.
The presentation was preceded by a
reception to Sir Aston Members Of the
institute and invited guests entered by
the north door. and the receiving line
formed to the left OF the entrance. It
was headed by Gen. Wilson, president Of
the board Of directors Of the Corcoran
Gallery Of Art. Second I'm line was Presi-
dent Day, who presented the guests TO
Sir Aston. They were assisted by William
B. Mundie. first vice president; Cass Gil
bert, second vice president and the fol-
lowing women: Mrs. Joseph c. Horn
blower and Mrs. Glenn Brown. OF Wash
ingt9n, Mrs. George B. Post and Mrs
Cass Gilbert, of New York, Mrs Frank
Miles Day and Mrs. Albert Kelsey. Of
Philadelphia; Mrs. Ralph Adams Cram and
Miss Peabody, Of Boston, and Mrs. VIII
liam +. Mundie, of Chicago.
During the reception the scene was an
animated one. women and their escorts
strolling in and out OF the side rooms.
and hanging over the halustrades OF the
balconies above, taking advantage Of
what was TO a number of them their first
opportunity 10 see the gallery and its
works of art.
AT 10 o'clock the reception line broke.
and after waiting for the crowd looking
on from the upper floor TO descend, Sir
Aston, President Day. Mr Howard. and
the others took their places on the dais.
The guests assembled in front, and when
President Day arose after a burst Of ap-
piause. the buzz of conversation and the
strains OF operate music rendered by a
band hushed as If by magic.
Sir Aston Greatest of All.
After paying tribute TO English archi-
tects, their work, and reviewing the
achievements of Sir Aston. saying that
he was the greatest Of them all. Mr.. Day
concluded with. for this reason the
American Institute of Architects confers
upon you this honor"
The band broke into the strains Of MY
Country, It's Of Thee" and midst great
applause. the medal. on green ribbon.
was placed around Sir Aston's neck.
He did not Feseat himself, but remained
standing 70 make reply 20 President Day.
He did so In a characteristic manner. and
his speech was typical of the Englishman
as generally understood in this country.
His face was flushed with pleasure.
He spoke in part as follows:
am afraid it is beyond my power
adequately 10 express iE any words that
] have at command the grateful appre-
citation that 1 feel, and that 1 believe my
brother architects at home will feel at
the great honor the American Institute
Of Architects has been graciously. pleased
10 confer upon English architects through
so unworthy a representative as myself.
for, OF course, I recognize in this award
the desire 70 honor English architects.
generally from which stock we are proud
10 think you yourselves have sprung.
There is much in the architecture here
that is familiar 10 US as we arrive i'm
this country. and there is much that IS
unfamiliar. and therein il appears to me
lies the charm
Problem I'm Control of Cities.
The problem of the proper. control Of
the expansion going on in large cities
seems TO present much the same diff
culties in both countries-for the abnormal
growth Of many of our cities is as raDid
and Of as modern origin as your own-ve
are beginning 10 feel that the expansion
ought TO be controlled by certain condf-
tions which should include the provision
of open spaces for beauty and also for
recreation
You have an outstanding example of
what may be done for your cities I'm the
great scheme prepared with such extra
ordinary ability by the Columbia mark
commission for the improvement Of this
already beautiful capital Of yours. The
details of this great scheme are familiar
70 us in England. and we look forward
with eagerness TO its fun completion and
to seeing Washington one of the beauty
spots and wonders Of the world. as II
will undoubtedly become when the scheme
IS carried out.
Americans HonOred In England.
During the course of his remarks. Sir
Aston said that it afforded him great
pleasure to convey to the assemblage the
news brought to him in a cablegram re-
ceived in the morning to the effect that
three members of the American Institute
OF Architects had been elected 10 honorary
membership in the Royal Institute OF Brit
ism Architects. They are" he said. its
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