Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-02-13

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Dear Sir:
Upon Friday evening last l had
the pleasure as the representative of
the New Jersey Chapter of the Amer
lean Institute of Architects of attend
ing the meeting of the Board of Edu-
cation for the purpose of offering the
services of the Chapter, without com
pensation in advising as to the proper
methods of conducting competition
for the proposed new High School
Building. The Board, very courte-
eusly gave me the privilege of the
which | made upon behalf of the
State Society Many questions were
asked by the various members of the
Board, particularly as to whether or
not a better result would be obtained
by competition or by direct appoint
ment and as to what was the custom
in matters of this kind.
stated that for public work it was
desirable to hold a competition and
for this purpose the American Insti-
tute of Architects has issued a printed
circular of advise which should be
followed in order to insure absolute
fairness. | left the meeting feeling
very certain that the Board would
hold competition not only for the
reason that it appeared to me that
the weight of argument showed that
better result would be thereby Sc
cured, but also for the reason that
have right to present competitive
plans for any public building to be
erected in their particular town. The
matter was debated from all points
of view and all persons who were not
members of the Board were invited
to express their opinions and at the
time | left the building l thought the
matter had been closed.
To my surprise / learned that i'm
mediately after | had gone the Board
appointed Mr.. Ernest Sibley archi-
tect for the work by vote of three
members, two other members present
and the presiding officer not voting
This would not seem to be a legal APP
pointment as | think the architect
would have to be appointed by at
least majority of the members pres
ent was also surprised to learn
that Mr.. Sibley had made some re-
marks after my departure denying
some of the statements which | had
made, which it seemed to me in com
mon courtesy should have been made
in my presence and to which remarks
believe l could have made ample
and satisfactory reply.
1t is only necessary to point out
what the custom is in such matters
and to show how the plans have been
obtained for the best public buildings
throughout the country. Competi-
tons were held in connection with
the New York Custom House; the
buildings for the Departments of
State and Justice and Interior and
scores of other buildings in Washing
ton and throughout the country
Nearly all the State Capitols and
Public Libraries have been erected by
this method and competitions are be-
ing held all over the country for
school buildings and only such archi-
tects who are too busy or are afraid
to compete criticise the method.
Why any Board should appoint any
particular architect and deny to resi-
dent architects the right which they
should properly enjoy is past my
comprehension, and why Mr. Fair
weather of Grantwood who was pres
ent at the meeting and made a no
quest that he be allowed to compete
should have been denied that privi-
lege seems to need considerable eX-
PLANTATION. think the citizens of the
town should take full cognizance Of
this matter so that such actions
should be made exceedingly unpopu-
lar.
Yours very respectfully,
Hugh Roberts,
Sec'y n. J. Chapter American