Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-20
ARCHITECTS OFFER
AIDS TO CULTURE
Institute Sees Value in Plans
Measuring Up to Dig
nified Level.

Urging the use Of "eyery technical
and artistic resource" the American
Institute of Architects has pledged
its aid to Federal. State and munich
pal governments in creating a public
architecture which win advance the
cultural standards of the Nation, 1t is
announced by Stephen F. voorhees,
of New York, president of the institute.
The institute, through its officers,
chapters and Committee on Public
Works, is ready to cooperate lin the
development of methods and policies
for improving and perfecting the
planning, design and construction of
Government buildings" and has SO in
formed President Roosevelt, the ap-
propriate committees of Congress and
the heads of the departments and in
dependent agencies of the Government
concerned with the planning of Gov
eminent structures, according to Mr..
voorhees,.
1.-THE institutes offer of advice and
cooperation is made in a spirit of
patriotic service and Of intelligent and
sympathetic understanding of the
difficulties and problems with which
they are faced" MIR. Voorhees, said.
st is in the interest Of the public
that all Government buildings should
represent and embody the highest
standard of architectural design, tax
ing into account all esthetic, all prac-
tical and economical considerations.
Governments Position Unique.
Mr.. Voorhees, made public a report
OF the Institutes Committee on Public
Works. of which Francis P. Sullivan
of Washington is chairman. which
asserts that the Government Is in a
unique position to perform a service
of education for its citizens Of dis
tinct advantage to the intellectual
life of the Nation"
No architecture is appropriate for
any building in which even the least
important of the many activities OF
our Nations Government is housed,
except an architecture that is great
and noble and inspiring, presenting to
the citizen an outward expression OF
the dignity, the nobility and the
greatness of his country in which he
takes pride" the report declares.
Just as the average citizens blood
Is stirred by the flag flying over a
body of troops or the review Of
great feet of war vessels, he feels in
Spired by the dome of the Capitol ris-
ing over the headquarters Of the Ma
tons Government and by the refined
beauty and historic significance of the
White House He is similarly inspired
In greater or less degree by the Gov
eminent in all its manifestations
when these are dignified and worthy,
so that there would be distinct loss
to the spiritual and patriotic relation
between the citizen and the Govern
ment if its activities were carried on
in bare warehouses without architec-
tural significance or dignity, con-
structed as cneaply and as shoddily as
the average speculative structure
1.-THE Government is also in q
unique position to perform service Of
education for its citizens of distinct
advantage to the intellectual life of the
natior. That is to hold up before the
people high standard of excellence
both n design and craftsmanship, util-
i1ng for this purpose every esthetic
and technical resource Of the Nation,
so that every citizen may have the
opportunity of becoming familiar with
good architecture, good painting and
good sculpture and so that the cul-
tural standards of the people as a
whole may be continually improved.
There are two great emotions that
in the past have inspired artists to
accomplish things almost beyond their
power; the sentiment of religion and
the sentiment of patriotism. Religious
fervor has raised great cathedrals the
very sight of which stirs the capacity
for reverence and awe, and the love
for country in past ages has expressed
itself in monuments which we cannot
see today without feeling the warmth
of sentiment that brought them into
being. The Government owes it to its