Evening star., 1930-05-21
ARCHITECTS URGE
BETTER BUILDINGS
IN WASHINGTON
Improved Private Structures
for Capital Outlined at
Convention.
GOVERNMENT BUILDING
PROGRAM DISCUSSED
600 Architects From All Parts of
Country Take Part in Program
at Mayfower.

A higher standard of private build
ing throughout Washington and the
environs was urged in a report to the
sixty-third convention of the American
Institute of Architects today by Horace
w. Peaslee of Washington, chairman of
the institutes committee on the Ma
tional Capital.
The Governments great building pro-
gram in Washington was the subject
of reports and discussion by the presi-
dent Of the institution this morning
before about 600 architects from all
sections of the country, who gathered
in the Mayhower Hotel for their an
nual meeting.
C. Herrick Hammond of Chicago,
president, said in his annual address
that the institute is striving to bring
to the people Of the United States a
realization of the significance of the
proper development Of washington and
its environs.
Educational Program Started.
The institute, he said. has inaugu-
rated a national campaign of educa-
ton "to enlighten the country as to
the possibilities of the National Capt.
tai and as to the need of a firm stand
ON the part Of those in control of its
proper development, in order that selfish
interests should not impair and ham
per its development as the most beau
tiful capital city in the world"
Mr. Peasiee, in his report which the
board of directors made public today,
said that the committee on the Capital
had concluded its years work salts
factorily.
"For the future work of the COM
mil - cod 1n ofS Srfx
chairman suggests not only the back
ing of legislation sponsored by the PLAN
ming commission, and the interesting of
the profession and the schools in the
development of Washington, but also
the focusing of study and action on
more balanced development of Wash
ington and its environs.
Attention Is directed especially to
the fact that no development has yet
been launched for the section east of
the Capitol Plaza, that only an in
visible line separates the District of
Columbia from its suburban areas, and
that every effort should be made to
raise the standards of private building
throughout the Capital region"
Two Bills Praised.
Chairman Peaslee lauded the passage
of the Cramton bill and of the Ship
stead bill, which gives esthetic super
vision over private buildings fronting
certain major Government projects.
These two measures also were COM
mented on favorably by Mr.. Ham
niond in his opening address.
Pointing out that the institute as
sisted In the passage of these bills. Mr..
Hammond said that the architectural
profession 'is intensely interested in
the public building program of the
Federal Government"
THE institute Is cooperating with
officials Of the Treasury Department to
aid in the development of a scheme
which will assure the selection Of archi-
tects of the highest ability, irrespec-
tive of their affiliation with the
institute, to the end that the planning
and designing of these buildings will
be not only a credit to the Govern
ment, but OF such type as to bring
architectural beauty into the COM
munity in which they are erected"
Private Architects Available.
This announcement was explained in
the report OF the committee on public
works, of which William A. Delano Of
New York Is chairman. The board of
directors of the institute made public
the report Of Mr.. Delano, who is a
member of the National Fine Arts
Commission, in advance of its presen-
tation to the convention.
Pointing out that one provision of
the Keyes-Elliott bill for the expendi-
ture of $l25, ,000,0 900 for public buildings
throughout the country gives the Sec
retary Of the Treasury power to employ
architects in private practice to design
many of the buildings, Chairman De-
lano announced to the convention that
the Treasury Department looks with
favor on suggestions made by the insti-
tute for the carrying out Of the pro-
vision.
"The chairman has held conferences
with officials of the Treasury Depart
ment," MIR. Delano said, land it was
learned that the idea of using the able
architects of ability through
out the country, appealed to the DEPART
ment. At the present moment the con-
ferences are tending toward an effort
TO find some proper method whereby
the department may have available lists
Of architects Of high qualifications. in
various sections of the country where
Federal buildings ought to be built"
Mr.. Delano emphasized that the in
stitute is chiefly desirous" Of assisting
the department, but that 1t Is not "and
cannot be" In position to seek COM
for its members.
The opening convention meeting to-
day was in the nature Of symposium,
by Charles Butler of New York,
on the subject of Contemporary Archi-
a subject that covered what
turned out to be spirited debate be-
tween representatives of the so-called
and conservativests in archi-
lecture.