Evening star., 1924-05-24
ARCHITECTS SUPPORT
development PLANS
Institute, in Closing Session of An
nual Convention, Drafts
Resolutions.
BEAUTIFICATION IS URGED
Favors Creation of Competent Body
for Harmonious Growth.

Charging that the National Capital
was being rapidly extended, fire
quently in direct violation Of the ac-
cepted principles of modern city and
regional planning" the American In
stitute of Architects, in closing ses-
sions of its annual convention at the
Octagon House yesterday, adopted a
resolution recommending that there
should be developed by competent
and properly qualified body a compre-
hensive, co-ordinated plan for the fu-
ture harmonious development of the
District and it's environs."
The resolution declared that the
Capital should be a fitting symbol
The LEnfant plan for the federal
city, it was said, covered only the
tenth of the original District of Co
lumbia and less than one-sixth of the
present District. The Mcmillan Park
report, known as the plan of 1901, it
was explained, was concerned pri-
marily with parks and with sites for
public buildings, including the re-
habilitation of the Mall. This plan
of 1901" there solution said has not
been supplemented by comprehensive
plans adequately assuring co-ordina
tion of the development of the Dis
trict of Columbia as a whole
Fire Hazards Emphasized.
Danger of fire and hazards to life
in the nations school buildings would
be virtually wiped out if safety stand
ards set up by the institutes commit
tee on school building standards are
observed, it was declared by the COM
mittee report adopted by the conven-
ton.
The safety Of school buildings, ac-
Loo Ityafr
William b. Ittner is chairman, de-
pends upon five undamentals-type
OF plan. proper location and adequate
site, substantial construction, height
and adequate and properly arranged
circulation and egreSS.
IF buildings are planned with due
regard to the above and constructed
after approved fre-resistive meth
ods," the report declared. fire or
hazard to life in school buildings will
be practically eliminated"
The institute declined to approve
the school exit code formulated by
the American Engineering Standards
Committee under the sponsorship of
ton.
The convention indorsed the Beaux
Arts institute of Design, which, it
was said, has for quarter of a CEN
tury carried on system of education
which has raised the standard of
architectural design. The next con-
vention will be held in New York in
1925.
The, institute voted its sympathy
with the proposal of the people of Chi
cago to restore and devote to civic
usefulness the fine arts building of
the Worlds Columbian Exposition.
a communication from Secretary
Hoover was read praising the insti-
tute's small house bureau for better
homes in America 'as public service
which rightly entities the architec-
tural profession to a higher place in
public esteem.
National Campaign Planned.
A national campaign to educate the
public in the proper methods of Sc
lecting an architect was voted by the
institute. Another resolution. offered
by Hobart Il. Upjohn of New York,
asks Congress to repeal the duty on
importations of art objects, which, as
they usually find their way into pub
lie museums, the institute regards as
educational and not as a luxury"
Following the close of the conven-
ton there was reception at the bu-
reau of standards, participated in by
Secretary Hoover, DIR. George K. Bur-
CESS, director of the bureau, and John
NJ. Cries, chief of the division of
building and housing.