New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-13
ARCHITECTS AND THE STATE
Reasons offered for Standardizing
the Profession.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

10 the kditor or J nc Irlbunc.
Sir: The communication relative to the
architects registration law, published in
your issue Of March >, Is entitled TO re-
sponse.
As a member OF the committee from the
Brooklyn chapter Of the American Institute
Of Architects, acting with committees from
the New York chapter and from the New York
Society Of Architects, such joint COMMITTEES
being accredited TO act for the Buffalo and
Central New York chapters OF the American
Institute Of Architects, I can speak with per-
sonal knowledge of the dcliberation and
authority with which this measure was
drafted and from a personal point of view
can interpret the motives OF the committee
and the purposes Of the law.
The joint committee began its work in 1907
with a circular OF questions addressed to
five hundred licensed architects in the states
of New Jersey, Illinois and California.
Guided by the responses received to thes,
questions and Influenced by the attitude Of
the profession in New York State toward
previous efforts to license the practice Of
architecture, the joint committee abandoned
the idea OF adapting the legislation Of other
states The joint committee adopted as its
policy that registration should record prep
sration giving title to a degree comparable TO
college degree, but distinguished absolutely
from a license or obligation TO practise and
from a guarantee of competency. With this
policy in view, the University of the State Of
New York was recognized as the official me-
dunn for such examination and certifcation,
and the idea of professional board of indie
pendent jurisdiction and authority was dis
carded. This policy and its details were dis
cussed with the authorities Of the Regents Of
the University, and the bill was drafted and
introduced in 1913. again in 1914 and again
in 1915, when 1t was passed, signed By TIE
Governor and became law
During the period between the beginning Of
the work Of the joint committee and the
Iassage of the law the matter was discussed
in all its phases with professional organiza-
tons of the state, with the Building Trades
Employers Association and before the COM
mittees of Senate and Assembly in the state
Legislature. The measure was also the fire.
quent subject Of comment in the architectural
periodicals. All objections were met, unani-
nous support was secured, and the law stands
literally as originally recommended By the
JOINT committee ana lne DOaFd OF Regents.
The law is not aimed to be direct public
safety measure. registration stands for
preparation only, and avoids all suspicion of
selfish advantage in lob hunting" by .avrg
the employment of service open 70 the choice
of the client The title OF ARCHITECT" ha 9
teen without acknowledged status. The law
aims to give architect" and its synonymc
registered architect" a definite significance.
Ii present practitioners do not choose 10
submit their qualifications to such certifca-
ton, or if the public does not choose to dis q.
criminate between the services of "reg-
stered architect" and the services of one who
is not so accredited, the professional and
public support given to the law has misled
the committee in the anticipation that the
profession and the public will welcome such
basis OF Distinguishing between prepared
ness" and "unpreparedness," and in the an
ticipaton that such distinction will become
ultimately the most effective measure for
Public safety. convenience and propriety and
the most effective measure for advancing the
standards of professional scholarship and re-
sponsibilty.
The administration Of the law lies wholly
with the Board of Regents of the University
of the State. which appoints a board OF ex-
amners for the purpose Of examination only,
whose actions and rulings are subject to the
Regents and whose expenses are met by the
revenues from this examination Tho reys.
nues ere not derived from dues, rsnewap or