Evening star., 1934-04-28
PRIVATE DESIGNING
of $50, 900 BUILDINGS
GRANTED ARCHITECTS
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page.)
reaffirmed, however, the obligation Of
! the Government in the encourage
ment Of good architecture, however
simple or however practical the pro-
posed projects might be-"
Proposals on Fees.
Treasury officials will submit an
outline of proposals regarding fees,
standards of architectural types, and
other matters for the institute to
study, it was decided at a conference
between Read Admiral C. J. Peoples,
director of the new Federal procure
ment division; w. E. Reynolds, assist
ant director; L. A. Simon, supervising
architect, and Frank c. Baldwin, Sec
retary of the American Institute Of
Architects; E. C. Kemper, executive
secretary of the institute, and Mr.. La
Beaume.
Admiral Peoples states his general
agreement with the principle which
the architectural profession has in
dorsed regarding the employment Of
architects outside Of the Public Works
"Mr. Reynolds asserted that the bu-
reau had been very seriously consider
ing the policy of employing architects
outside the procurement division with
respect to certain Federal buildings.
He added, however, and Admiral Peo-
pies confirmed his statement, that in
the smaller units involving contracts
below $50, 900, the bureau was inclined
to prepare the designs, plans and spe-
cifications.
The representatives Of the Gov
ernment did not take issue with the
arguments of the profession with re-
gard to the direct advantages to be
expected from the employment of COM
petent architects outside the Bureau
of Public Works.
Topics Under Discussion.
"The greater part of the discussion
related itself to terms of employment,
character of service and responsibility
and the basis OF proper remuneration
AS spokesman for the bureau, Mr. Rey-
nolds stated his belief that the system
of computing the architects fee should
be improved. He expressed the thought
that the fee should not be computed
on a percentage basis, either in justice
to the Government or to the architect,
and advocated a fixed fee to be agreed
upon, which fee should be properly
related to the size and complexity
of the project. He indicated that this
subject was engaging the attention of
the bureau, and that he had not yet
come to any definite conclusions
Mr.. Reynolds elaborated his ideas
with regard to the architects remu-
neration by stating that the depart
ment had received many complaints
from structural and mechanical en-
gineers, charging that some architects
were refusing them fair compensation
for adequate engineering service
These complaining engineers stated
that they could not possibly render
adequate service for the fees allowed
them by the architects.
Mr.. Reynolds pointed out that the
Government would insist on compe-
tent and adequate engineering service
in connection with all of its projects.
Remedy Up to Government.
THE representatives of the insti-
tute suggested that the matter lay
within the power of the Government
to remedy, inasmuch as the Govern
ment might insert in its contract
with the designing architect the rate
of compensation to be paid to engi-
neers associated with him.
1T is gratifying to state that at
the conference Admiral Peoples ex-
pressed his agreement with the prin-
ciple which the institute has long
Endorsed regarding the employment of
private architects outside of the bu-
reau. and resident in the general 10
calities of the post office buildings to
be erected. Mr.. Reynolds and Mr.
Simon concurred with this general
statement of policy.
MIR. Reynolds stated that as a re-
suit of the QUESTIONABLE sent out by
the Treasury Department last Sum-
mer he was in possession of full and
satisfactory data regarding the quail
fications of architects in every part
of the United States. He stated that
certain projects would be released and
that certain appointments were ex-
pected to be announced at an early
date"