Evening star., 1926-12-03
ARCH|TECTSSTUDY
NEEDS OF CAPITAL
Handbook Planned to Outline
Requirements for Making
City More Beautiful.

The story of what Washington still
needs to make it the foremost capita
in the world will be circulated
throughout the nation by the Ameri-
can Institute Of Architects.
The directors of the institute, who
today are closing a two day session
at the Octagon House, authorized
the committee on the plan of Wash
ington and environs to prepare a
painting a picture, not of the Ma
tional Capital as 1t is. but Of Its
present requirements and future pos
abilities.
The committee, headed by Horace
w. Peaslee of this city, may arrange
to have some well known writer pre-
pare the series, and efforts will be
made to have the handboo'- placed
in public schools throughout the
country Members Of the committee
emphasized that they do not con-
template making 1t a mere guide
book, but a publication dealing with
the further improvement of the ma
tions capital.
Will Keep Congress Advised.
The directors also authorized the
committee on Washington TO 90 the
following other things.
To keep the profession alive to its
responsibilities to Washington.
To keep Congress informed as to the
sentiment of the professional con
stituency at large on the National
Capital.
The question of directing private
construction in Washington along
proper architectural lines was
brought to the notice of the directors
Of the institute and they adopted
hn nfi n
the local architects several years ago
in forming an advisory council, which
seeks to accomplish this result by vol
untary cooperation with those VINO
erect private structures.
The resolution follows:
Resolved, That the board of di-
rectors of the American Institute or
Architects expresses its appreciation
OF the public service Of the Washing
ton architects in the institution ana
maintenance of the Architects Ad-
visory Council, organized for the bet
terment of private buildings in the
National Capital. 1t recognizes the
possibilities in the work, the opportu-
nifty to contribute largely to the de-
velopment Of the Capital and to sup
plement the work of the Fine Arts
and Planning Commissions, and 1t
urges upon the individual architect a
full realization of the opportunity and
of the responsibility"
Opinions Are Advisory.
The advisory council has no
authority to make mandatory rulings,
but merely expresses it's opinion as to
the possibility for improvement in
the plans that are submitted volun-
tarily to it. The council meets at
frequent intervals in the Office OF
Capt. Whitehurst, executive officer of
the Zoning Commission.
In discussing the probable nature
Of the proposed handbook on future
Washington, one member OF the COM
nittee pointed out, for illustration,
that the architects at this time are
anxious to see a proper development
of the areas surrounding the Capitol
and the White House. The Capitol's
surroundings, they feel, will be
greatly embellished by the proposed
United States Supreme Court build
ing and a new House office building.
They are in sympathy, this member
said, with the contemplated develop
ment of the Pennsylvania avenue
triangle for other public buildings,
and they believe that the squares
surrounding Lafayette Park also
should be properly developed.
The directors of the American In
stitute at the sessions yesterday and
today heard reports from a score Of
other committees dealing with ma
tional problems in which architects
are interested but Milton b. Medary
tr.. president of the institute, ex-
plained that action on these reports
will not he taken until the directors
meet in Atlanta. Ga, December Z.
The conferences here were merely to
inform the directors Of the work Of
rhe various committees, in prepara-
ton for the discussions to be held in
Atlanta.