The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-12
Continued from Page 1s)


and found itself in an organized
form about the time OF the war Of
independence. -
From England, after, the war,
came the earliest organized move
nent to America, coupled with the
growth of separate body Of work
ers that are today called contrac-
tors. The societies that were
formed at first acknowledge
chiefly the motives of mutual i'm.
provement and education. The first
journal appeared in 1888 and in the
following year the Institute OF
British Architects was formed. The
first realization Of the problems OF
architectural education by this body
found development to such extent
that by 1868 examinations were
held to qualify aspirants to the
title of architect.
Similarly, in America. the or
ganiZation of the American Insti-
tute of Archit Gets in: 1867 was In
spired by the Aobject Of combining
effort to improve the individual,
give him social contact with his
fellows and serve society BY raising
Chartered Here i'm 1887.
go :.
I'm 1887 a charter was issued ia
the Washington chapter, which has
carried on its work along the lines
Of the national body with the added
incentive peculiar to the Capital
City Of a somewhat patriotic In.
terest in the Identification Of
Washington. I.
"The present work Of the local
group is directed, toward the de.
velopment OF education, revision OF
building code, the regulation Of con.
ditions of practice, and during re.
cent years q membership campaign
has been conducted with a view TO
welcoming into membership ali
qualified architects. ..s.s.
1.-THE Organization has three i'm.
pulses: To promote the art; the
fellowship motive which is both
social and benevolent; and the
motive of unity for prestige. The
results may be elevation of the pro
fession, better education. and bet.
ter understanding with others. I"
Among the aims Of the local chap,
ter, under these officers, are the
safeguarding OF the beauty Of the
National Capital and to prevent "a
far as possible any building which
would be detrimental to the beauty
of the city through hasty or Ill.
considered development This would
aim at the elimination Of ugly
rows" of dwellings In localities
where such type OF construction
would destroy the beauty Of the sur
roundings. ... :
The chapter is in close co:opera.
ton with the District government
on the enforcement Of the soning
law. The chapter has also taken
active part in necessary revision OF
the building code to insure greater
safety and higher class Of con,
struction in Washington. 1t is ex'
pected that the code, as redrafted
will be submitted by the Engineer
Commissioner to the chapter for ex.
animation and discussion before Its
final adoption by the District Off
Gals. @
Duties Explained.
Louis Justement, chairman Of the
publicity committee Of the local
chapter, explained the duties of ar
architect and the purposes Of the
organization as follows:
'In the first place. the architect
is not a contractor; he does moi
actually build houses nor hire
others to build them for him. Hi
duties are: First, to design the
building, make the necessary draw
ings and write the specifications
from which the house is to be built
second, to superintend the building
that is, to see that the materials de
scribed in the specifica tons arr
actually used, and used in the
g. kS~x
ut is the architects duty to pre-
pare the necessary contracts in be
half of the owner, and his lega
knowledge must be sufficient Il
safeguard the owners interest with
out making the contracts unfair tt
the builder. He must certify Il
| the amounts due the contractor By
, the owner as the work proceeds
and this means that he must b
conversant with the prices Of
/ materials and the cost Of labor
since GENERALIZATION or under
certification may, and often does
result in legal controversy.
"An architect being thus briefly
defined, we may consider the or
ganization and activities of thu
Washington Chapter, A. I. A. Tht
| letters A. I. A. mean American
Institute Of, Architects. and are
| used by individual members ss wei
as State and city associations, Il
Indicate membership in the IN
stitute. Fellowship in the Ameri
can Institute Of Architects 10 con
ferred upon a member who, In thu
opinion of an authorized Jury o.
Fellows, shall have notably con
tributed to the advancement OF thu
profession in design, construction
! literature or education. and is in
Dictated by the letters r. A. I. A
following the name Of the architec
80 honored. Out Of q membership
Of about eighty architects in the
| Washington chapter, there are nin'
Fellows.
Is Well Organized.
1.-THE American Institute Of Archi
tects is a well organized profes
sional society, welding a nationa
influence far more extensive thar
it's limited membership would i'm
ply. It is the national organiza
ton of the architectural profession
analogous, in this respect to thu
American Bar Association and thu
American Medical Society. It's oh
jects are to organize and unite II
fellowship the architects of thu
| United States, to combine their eff
forts so as to promote the aesthetic
scientific and practical efficiency o.
| the profession and to make the
profession OF ever-increasing servict
to society The national headquar
| tiers of the American Institute Of