Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-18

| The old main building formerly occu-
pied by George Washington University.
but now almost entirely RACED to make
way for a 100000 ONCE building. on
the southeast corner of 10Th and II
streets northwest, was an interesting
landmark to the city from an archi-
tectural standpoint, as we'll as because
it was an educational center. 1t was the
first structure erected in the National
Capital to which the name OF the archl-
tect was attached. On only seven
buildings in this city have the sig
natures of the architests appeared.
As the name OF the artist is affixed
to his paintings, as the sculptor carves
his signature on the monuments which
he designs, and as decorative artists
publicly stamp for the benefit of an In
terested world the works which they
have produced, so many architects are
Of the opinion that a similar practice
should prevail in their profession. The
American Institute Of Architects at one
Of its recent annual meetings passed
q resolution expressing the belief that
architects should sign some Of their
best work.
Architect Poindexter Honored.
On the front Of tho former main hall
Of George Washington University. erect
ed about twenty-eight years ago. there
appeared in an inconspicuous place tho
name Of William H. Poindexter. local
architect, now dead, who planned the
structure.
OF the other six buildings In the city.
all erected later, on which the designer
is similarly honored. two strangely
enough stand less than q hundred feet
away from the old college hall. The
Union Trust Companys home. on the
opposite side Of 18th street; bears
Deming. which worked out its graceful
and stately lines. The real estate firm
Of Swartzell, Rheem & Hensey. which
occupies the marble structure on the
York avenue and H street, granted
Paul Pelz, the architect. the right to
attach his name thereto. On tablet
in the Library OF Congress. in bronze
designers Of this edifice. are publicly
recognized. The Corcoran Gallery of
Art bears the name OF Ernest Flagg
| The Highlands apartment house tells
planned it, and the National Union
| building, on F street, south side, be-
tween 9Th and 10th streets. announces
on its corner stone that it's architect
was Glenn Brown.
In Favor Of Marking.
| Mr. Brown, we'll known as the secre-
tary Of the American Institute OF Archi-
tects, and also the author Of several
works on architecture, is Of the opinion
that architects should sign at least
part Of their work.
There are two reasons" he said in
an interview, why it would be valu-
able to have the architects name ap-
pear upon his work. In the first place.
there Is the historical reason. There
are many buildings standing today in
| Then again." he continued, lit would
help architecture. Just as a painter
is very careful of his work, because
he knows his name will be a laughing
stock If he puts it on inferior pictures,
| would spend more care and thought
over their designs If their names were
| to be placed on their buildings. Abroad,
| especially in Paris, most Of the fine
buildings. private as well as public, are
| thus marked. 1t would help the pro-
fession in this country, L believe, If
| the same thing were done.
| THE name of the architect OF the
old United States customs house, on
Wall street, which was unknown for
| years, was discovered in a curious way
| a few years ago, being found by some
body in an old diary Of the architect
various parts of the world which are
| OF interest either because Of their his
torical connections or because they are
important steps in the development Of
architecture as a whole or in part, and
yet we do not know the names of the