New-York tribune., 1912-02-16
Mr.. ROOSEVELT SPEAKS
But Reporters Are Barred at
Architects Dinner.
POLITICS NOT DISCUSSED
Colonel Praises Work His Hosts
Do-Medals Awarded for
Finest Buildings.

Members of the American Institute OF
Architects invited Theodore Roosevelt to be
a guest at their dinner last night in the
Plaza Hotel One hundred and fifty Of the
prominent architects and their friends
listened to a speech which the Colonel con-
sented TO deliver only on condition that re-
porters were barred.
Mr. Roosevelt spoke on the subJect'
"Civics and Their Relation 10 Architect
ure" He did not touch upon politics In
the course OF his remarks, II was said. He
declared that in all his experience he found
that the men who worked disinterestedly
as TO their personal advantages were the
only ones who truly succeeded. That was
particularly true OF the architects as
class. he said.
civic development depended now largely
upon the advice and work Of the architects
That had not been the case until withln
the last few wears. but now the civic heads
of a great many cities were looking to them
for advice and assistance in working out
economical and al the same time artisuc
civic centres in the cities. The eX-President
believed the people had made a great ad-
vance in calling I'm the architects and other
experts for the settlement Of certain city
questions. such as the recent selection OF
the courthouse site here.
Controller Prendergast and John j. Mur-
ply, Tenement House Commissioner. were
among the other speakers. Mr. Prendersast
paid a high tribute TO the committee of the
American Institute of Architects. when
was appointed to assist the Board Of Esti-
mate in selecting the site for the new
courthouse He said they were the ones
who made the final decision on the new
site. which was now generally agreed to be
the best site. the most economical. and
the best bargain that the city could make
great many men were elected TO office
who had no special qualifications for de-
Gliding some questions which came before
them. and he believed in calling in all the
expert advice that was available.
Commissioner Murphy said that the an
nuaI awarding of the medals in recogni-
ton OF the best built buildings in apart
ment houses by the New York Chapter Of
Architects had been Of great benefit 10
the tenement dwellers during the last three
years. The tone and convenience Of tene-
ment houses had been raised To much
higher plane on that account, he declared.
The awarding of the medals for 1911. which
was made during the dinner, was as fol-
lows:
Medal-Willlam X Vanderbilt, owner or
the six story apartment house, known as
the East River Homes. East River and 7th
street. designed by Henry Atterbury Smith,
architect.
Honorable mention-The City and SCbur-
ban Homes Company. owner and architect
for the six story apartment house. NOS 5lb
to 52S East 18th street, known as the Blshop
Potter Memorial Buildings, William r.
Roundtree, owner and architect. for the SIX
story apartment house at No. $50 West 'Nth
street
For the class Of apartment houses over
six stories
MFDAI-The Five Sixty-three Park Ave
nue. Company, owner; Pedro de tloreL.
president for the twelve-story apartment
house at No 5S3 Park avenue. designed ny
Walter B. Chambers, architect.
HONORABLE MENTION-B crystal ~
Son. owners of the twelve-story apartment
houses known as oxford Hall and cam,
bridge Hall, at No. i54 Riverside Drive ana
designed by George and Edward BUM
architects. l.,.
The Fullerton Weaver Realty Company,
s F.. Weaver, president owner OF the nine
story apartment house at No. llb East bath
street. designed by J. f. r. Carpenter
architect.