Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-05
BRUCE AMENDMENT
BRINGS PROTEST
Architects, in Session, 0p-
pose Suggested Restriction
of Public Buildings.

Immediately on converting the
forty-ninth annual convention OF the
American Institute of Architects, com
posed of members of the architectural
profession from all parts of the coan'
try, the officers of the organization
postponed the regular order of bust
ness in order to protest the Bruce
amendment to the public buildings
hill, which provides that the S5O,oeo.-
COO TO be expended in washington
should not he used on property north
of Pennsylvania avenue.
Two members from each chapter
were appointed to communicate TO
the Senators from their respective
States the disapproval of their par
ticular chapters and the American In
stitute of Architects of the Bruce
amendment.
This decision of the institute re-
suited from an address by Horace w.
Peaslee, local architect and member
of the convention committee.
Explains Mcmillan Plan.
Mr.. Peaslee explained that the Mc-
MILAN plan of 1901 provided for the
grouping of public buildings in archi-
tectural harmony around the White
House and the Capitol.
The Bruce amendment. he declared,
would prohibit the development of the
public building scheme around la
fayette Park in front of the White
House. because this area is north of
PENNSYLVANIA avenue. He explained
that the Treasury annex and build
ing of the Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States had heen designed
nd erected according to the McMil'
Ian plan, and that the adoption of the
Bruce amendment not only would re-
verse the Endorsement Of the McNil.
Ian plan. but also would permit the
erection of unsightlv office buildings
opposite the White House.
In his annual address y. Everett
Maid president of the institute, said:
The City of Washington is in dan
ger of irretrievable Disagreement
through ill-advised building opera
tions. May the Government be warn
cd in time to take measures of pre-
vention, Our great Capital City was
fortunate in the foresight of George
Washington. who selected a great
architect TO plan ii in the beginning.
But Washington is in danger now. .
Problems Costing Millions.
american cities are growing faster
than architects can be trairCd 10 de-
sign them. New York is in serious
trouble and has problems 10 solve
costing millions. which could have
been saved. with better results. if
wise forethought and skilled guidance
had been available.
New building construction during
the past ye3r totaled six and one
half billions in cost. we are told
Ethical standards of American archi-
tects are high; according TO Waid,
who continued:
II glory in the high standards of
conscience in the architectural pro-
fession. whose members often lean
backward in their dignity. lest they
he misunderstood in a possible com.
promise with wrong"
Quoting Edwin Booths definition Of
Christian, Zone who rejoiced in the
superiority of his rival" he said.
Whatever his own ambitions. each
member was proud to point ont a sue
cessful work designed by fellow
architect.
"Americas response to the impulse
IT modern art shows ability and
coura ge-and American architecture
Ia commanding high praise abroad
The institute must feel itself under
obligations to the public in the mat
ter of better construction as we'll as
better design"
Mr.. Waid stressed the need for CO.
operation with building and loan as
sociations and the duty to promote
the manufacture of reliable building
materials.
Reports of Officers.
The reports of Waid. William r.
Ittner. treasurer. and of the board of
directors were the matters taken up
AT this mornings session.
The gold medal for architectural
achievement. the highest honor which
the American Institute Of Architects
can bestow. will he presented this
wear. it was announced today. 10
Howard Van Doren Shaw of Chicago.
whose design Of fine residences is
notable for its simplicity and Ameri,
can character in the Interpretation of
traditional architectural forms.
Previous recipients of the award
include Henry Bacon. designer of the
Lincoln Memorial; George s. Post.
designer of the New York Stock Elk
change: Charles +. McKim. who re-
stored the White House; Sir Edwin
I.utyens, designer of the Indian gov
eminent buildings at Delhi. and Vic
tor Leloux. who designed the Hotel
de Vile at Tours.
Upon adjournment at 1890 o'clock
the members and their guests were
received at the White House by Presi-
dent Coolidge. following which a
luncheon was held At the Hotel
Washington.
Maj. Wheeler Nominated.
Mai. Eaymond-A. Wheeler. assist
ant engineer commissioner of the Dis
trict of Columbia and chairman OF
the supervisory committee of The
Stars Model Homes Demonstra ton
was nominated for election as an
honorary member Of the institute for
his work in civic development and
fine arts. This nomination, which has
been approved by the board of direc
tors. will be acted upon by the full
membership later this afternoon.
In connection with the public build
incs bill, the institute. before the
adjournment of this mornings SEES
sion. adopted the following resolution
THAT the American Institute OF
Architects in convention respectfully
suggests to Congress that the limits
Of the area in which the public build
ings may be erected under the author
ity Of the pending public buildings
bill be extended to include a reason
able area surrounding the square
lying north of the Executive Mansion
and the plaza lying east of the Capt.
tol. and that the service buildings
of a purely unitarian character which
may be necessary to construct by the
appropriations authorized by thu
pending bill be excluded from the area
from within which the monumental