The Washington times., 1914-06-22
ARCH|TtcTS0F US.
OFFER DISTRICT AID
Institute Proposes Commission
to Deal With Housing and
City Planning.

Resolutions pledging the American
Institute of Architects TO give active
~o-operation in lettering housing con-
,Iitions among those OF limited means
IN the United States, and Cnering CO.
operation in the development OF the Ma
-lonaI Capital have been transmitted
20 President Wilson. The resolution
-eIstinF to the Identification of Wash
ington suggests the appointment Of a
committee of architects to be known as
the committee on the plan OF Wash
jnEton." President Wilson has referred
the offer of the architects affecting
Washington to the District Commis-
sioners.
The American Institute of Architects
is the national organization OF the
architectural profession in the Cnltso
States, with chapters in nearly every
state. The national headquarters are IN
the historic and beautiful old Octagon
house at Eighteenth street and New
York avenue.
Resolutions Adopted.
The two resolutions whicn were adopt
ed by the board of directors of the in
stitute and transmitted TO the Presi-
dent are as followss
Resolved, Inat the board OF ulTec-
tors OF the American Institute OF Archi-
tects real zes the importance ana neces-
sity OF making proper provision IN every
cit; for the safe, sanitary, and con-
venient housing of its inhabitants, par
,icularly 10 those who contribute the
srrJirs of their labor 10 the UpbulldlnS
Of the community. The board believes
That architecture should relate ltsei1 10
me humblest human habitauon, as well
as TO all other buildings in a city, ano
xh,- the committee on tONn
planning TO urge. through its subccm-
nittees in every locality, that the
architects of this country devote -heir
sar-.est thought to improving the type,
design. and arrangement OF tne snlau @
and medium sized houses in all cities
and suburbs, and to bringing about, as
Tar as possible. an improvement in ex-
isting conditions.
Resolved That with reference. spe-
cifcally, to the city of Washingtos
the board, with a high sense Of sppre-
cation for what mas been done toward
preserving the original L'Enfant plan,
expresses the hope that equal atten-
ton will he given to the before-men-
toned conditions OF housing. and. de-
string TO cooperate with the officials
N charge of the development of the
Nations Capital. hereby offers TO ap-
point a committee of five members of
the institute. to be known as the Com
nittee on the Plan of Washington.
ana dUInOTlZeS SuEn "
affer freeIy the aid and influence of the
American Institute Of Architects in all
matters connected with the physical and
artistic development Of that city
OF Interest to Nation.
In a statement accompanying an
rouncement of the adoption of the reso-
luton, il is declared that the offer to
appoint q committee on the plan OF
Washington Is one that should be of
interest. not only to every citizen Of
the District, but to every citizen OF
the United States as well.
The fact that President and Mrs.
Wilson are known to be deeply in
terested in the Washington housing
problem. and that Commissioner Sid
dons already has called attention 70 the
necessity for giving increased attention
20 this problem, has given members of
The institute grounds for hope that the
President and the District Commis-
gioners will avail themselves 10 the full
est extent of the cooperation offered by
he architects