New-York tribune., 1920-12-18
The Architects Fee
His E Per Cent Shopn To Be a
Moderate Chdrge
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
olr: read with amazement the cross
examination Of the president of the New
York Chapter of the American Institute
OF Architects by the Lockwood commit
tee. The implied attitude of the commit
tee toward the architects in general has
been published in The World and other
papers, placing the architect in a posi-
ton as though he were to be classed
with the other matters that are being
investigated by the committee. This
arises from the lack of appreciation or
knowledge of what the architect actually
does, and I feel that the impression
created should be corrected as soon as
possible.
1t is stated that the architect receives
6 per cent commission, which almost
anybody would infer was perfect gold
mine, and absolutely fails to bring for
ward the services rendered by the archi-
tect and his force of trained men.
1t is only fair that statement should
be made publicly in order that the pub
lie should know that of all professions |
believe the architect receives the least
compensation for the amount of work
that he is called upon to do and the
amount of responsibility that he as
sumes
Let US look for a moment at the COM
parison of charges or compensation of
the architect as compared to the practice
of the general contractor.
In the first place, the architect en-
ploys men who have for years studied
their profession and become skilled not
only in drawing, engineering, art, but
in the knowledge of intricate building
laws of the city. He must be a trained
engineer or employ such a man, to be
sure that his building is safely con-
structed. After the plans are drawn
he must see that the building is built
in accordance with its plans, consult re-
garding any disagrcements in the carry
ing forward of the project, settle dis
putes, check up the estimates and reoui
stions, and continually be in a position
by virtue of his skill and knowledge to
protect the owner against possible in
justice. These men that the architect
employs seldom receive as much as the
man who delivers milk to the various
different houses in New York City. 1t is
true to-day that they are paid more than
they have ever been paid before, but to
my mind, in proportion to what the
bricklayer gets on job, the skilled de-
slgner and craftsman receives much less
than his knowledge and ability warrant.
In drawing the entire operation Of a
building the architect must pay out of
craftsmen, the salaries to his building
supervisor, his rentals, which are high
because he Is required to occupy much
more space on account of his Office force
than the general contractor requires
He must have bookkeepers, stenogra-
pliers, Fay for supplies, and after all
these expenses are paid, and If he is at
all conscientious in his work--as I be-
lieve tho majority Of architects are
there is an amazingly small profit at the
Of tho average building at
per cent. 1t is fact that the small
building cannot be produced for pep
cent, the actual cost OF production ex-
ceeding the commission.
On the other hand, the general con-
tractor has no regular rule that | know
Of, but it is the invariable custom that
he should charge 10 per cent. and am
told on good authority that he expects
to make, by virtue Of sublctting, an
additional 10 per cent, or, in other
words, 20 per cent profit. This 20 per
cent profit Is by no means considered
cxorbitant, and out of this he pays no
as that ysnan is paid as