Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-07
ARCHITECTS WILL
PROBE CAREER OF
PHILIP H. JOHNSON
Brother Craftsmen Appoint
Committee to Investigate
Contract With City and
Determine Qualifications.

a ADAfcnin0 inquiry llAb NHN
turaI career OF Philip II. Johnson, Phila-
delphia's political architect In perpetuity'
has been instituted by the Philadelphia
Chapter OF the American Institute oil
Architects. Noted architects are members
Of this organization.
II Ia expected that the investigators
will delye into the contract under which
johnson operates and which was granted
during tho Ashbridge administration. the
johnson contract was the important rae
tor In the controversy which is SAID 10
have resulted In Mayor Blankenburg's re-
quest for the resignation OF former Direc-
tor IIarte, of tho Department OF Health
and Charities.
Johnson's official position is thet of
nconsulting city architect" He was a
brother-in-law OF the late Israel Durham,
who was a political boss in Pennsylvania.
For u years Johnson has enjoyed an
exclusive monopoly of all the architec-
tural work of the Department OF Heath
and Charities.
was entered into between Johnson and
the city he has been receiving per cent.
on the cost of buildings and fixtures he
designed. His share of the new Philadel-
phia General Hospital, which will cost
S6,000,0d0. will be Mt least 100000.
The present investigation Is being con-
Quoted to determine why Johnson mas
been able to obtain important contracts
TO make drawings and supervise the con-
struction of public Institutions. Efforts
will also be made to get information
relating to Johnsons architectural edu-
cation and ability.
COMMITTEE IN CHARGE.
1t became known today that the inves-
tlgation is In charge of a committee of
three of which Professor William p.
Laird, of the University of Pennsylva-
MIA, is chairman. The other members Of
tie committee are composed of Horace
Wells Sellers. Of the firm Of Sellers q
Rippey with offices In the stephen
Glrard Building. and John Sinkler, of the
firm of BIsell. Sinkler and Tilden. archi-
tects, in the Bailey Building.
The meeting at which 1t was decided to
appoint a committee TO investigate john
sons career, who is an ex-rodman in the
Bureau of Surveys, and who was drop
ped 10 years ago for incompetency. was
held recently In the rooms OF the Busi-
ness Mems and Professional League, and
was held under the auspices OF the Phila-
delphia Chapter of the American Insti-
tute of Architects. Milton B. Medary,
president OF the local branch of the archi-
tects' association, presided
Action to investigate Johnson's archl-
tectural ability was decided upon after
the publication of the editorial, "a New
Architect and New Blockley," in the
EVENING LEDGER on December 15, 1914.
The editorial called attention to the fact
that lot OF bricks piled together did
not mean a modern hospital building.
This editorial was read at the meeting
and resulted in the appointment of the
Investigation Committee.
NO COMPETITION.
Many of the members manifested sur
prise when statements were made that
Johnson, who Is known among politicians
as Phil" had obtained contracts with
the city to make drawings and supervise
the construction as architect without COM
petition.
Leading architects who attended the
and frankly voiced their senti-
ments pointed out that many of the i'm
portant contracts have been In existence
for nearly II years, being perpetual in
their nature. IT was argued by some of
the members that the eXpeditures of these
contracts amounted to many millions.
POINTS OF INQUIRY.
The committee was requested to learn
Just what qualifications Johnson pos
sessed, where he had received his archi-
tectural education, training and also from
which college, university or academy he
had been graduated. Several members
frankly said that they had never heard
whether Johnson had taken a course In
architectural work.
The committee was instructed to report
what action should be taken by the insti-
tute. IL any, following it's investigation.
Among the projects for which Johnson
has designed plans and which were mem
toned at the meeting were:
The Hospital for the INDECENT. the Phil
adelphia Hospital for the Insane, the
Philadelphia General Hospital for Sur
gieal and other Cases, the Municipal Hos
pital for Contagious Diseases, the Home
for Predetermined, recreation buildings,
Fairgrounds and improvements on ground
Mt 55th, 56th. Christian and Webster
streets, railroad viaduct 9th street below
Jefferson. Athletic Square, Westmoreland
Square and WateFview Park, 22d street
and Sedgely avenue.
Edward Crane, a prominent architect.
with offices at 1912 Walnut street. who is
a member of the American Institute of
Architects, today said:
''The city should. determine whether
Johnson's contract. made 12 years ago. is
legal. believe that architects should be
selected by the city after an open compe-
tition. This will mean the elimination OF
politics and favoritism."