Evening star., 1936-05-16
By Leila Mechlin.
>HE fifth annual exhibitio

Association of Federal Archi-
tects, which opened last week
u in the United States National
street. to continue throughout the
month, provides much material OF
varied and engaging interest to even
the casual visitor. This association,
self-organized and unofhcial, comprises
In its membership architects employed
by the Treasury Department, Procure
ment Division; the Department OF
Agriculture, the Navy Department,
Bureau Of Yards and Docks; War De-
partment, Office of the quartermaster
general, and the Veterans Admins
tration, construction service, all OF
whom are working here in Washington.
Some of the work shown undoubtedly
was done in the line of duty, but by
Tar the greater part was done merely
for the pleasure of the doing, in hours
of or when on holiday. For this rea-
son, while the exhibition includes plans
and renderings, it also embraces free
hand drawings in pencil and color
crayon, water colors, etchings. some
sculpture, a few examples Of craft
work and models, to say nothing Of
work in pen and ink and photographs.
AL of these, with background OF
architecture, have note of gayety
and an air of that which is most sub
stantial and enduring. Only work
done during the past year was eligible.
The arrangement of this exhibition
Is by ,alcoves, with a center line Of
platforms for the display of models
and of screens which increase the wall
space. The first alcove to the right has
been assigned to the architects of the
Veterans Administration; the first to
the left to those Of the Department OF
Agriculture. Included in the former
are two silk batiks, scarf and a wall
hanging, both designed and executed
by D. N. Trucksees, the former re-
reiving . first, the latter a second
award. Here are commendable draw
ings by M. L. j. Scheffer and water
colors by ]. E. Corey, book plate by
c. H. Stratton, coat Of arms by G.
T. Chapelier. A perspective of resi-
dence designed by L. H. Johnston re-
ceived special commendation from the
fury of awards, and a pencil sketch
Williamsburg" by c. H. Irwin, and
working drawings of detail plans for
Veterans Hospital, Bath, N. Y, by
c. H. Stratton were both starred. In
this section photographs of buildings
erected in Tucson, Ariz; Biloxi, Miss,
and Tuscaloosa, Ala, as recreation
centers for veterans, cannot fail to
impress by the beauty and excellence
Of design as well as imposing magni-
tude.
Belonging to this division are four
paintings in oils depicting relief" fol-
lowing the Revolutionary War, the War
Of 1912, the Civil War and the World
War. These represent series of seven
panels painted by L. E. livery of the
Veterans Administration, construction
service. as part of the Veterans Ad-
ministration exhibit at the Texas Gen.
tennial Exposition at Dallas. In style
and character they might well have
been produced for the Centennial Ex-
position held in Philadelphia in 1776.
Here again one is brought face to face
with the fact that art does not go on
and on but like the world in cycles
tound and round.
The Department of Agriculture,
Through its architectural division,
makes the smallest but one of the best
~ tho nvni1ifc IN l,s hie Oh
Is partly due to the colorful charm and
excellence of water colors by j. Row.
land Snyder, whose "Cremona Cathe-
dral" received first award. Two of
Mr. Snyder's water colors are in
gouache and very striking in effect
one Of these Is Of Assist" and the
other Of "Amalfi" in Italy, both as
seen at night against a background of
blue black sky. In clear wash and
with fresh color he has set forth the
entrance to San FARO. Verona" and
the "Pont Neuf, Paris" His prize
winning "Cremona Cathedral" is in
pencil and water color-a pleasing
combination. Other interesting water
colors and drawings in this section
have been contributed by j. r. Dodge
and II. A. Magnuson.
A large percentage Of awards went
60 architects in the Bureau Of Yards
and Docks Of the Navy Department.
Howard A. Page received q first prize
for no less than three of his pencil
drawings, and certainly with obvious
reason as they are rendered with
exceptional sensitiveness as well as
accuracy. Most interesting are
sLePuy," "Old House vitre" and
"Port D'Amont." For q pen and
ink sketch of an English Cathedral"
II. c. Sullivan received an award,
but even more meritorious and note
worthy seemed to the reviewer his
pencil drawings Of three Spanish Mis-
sions of Southern California, "San
Luis Rey," San Jose" and San
Francisco" and q number of his
sparkling water colors of Venice.
There are also notable in this Sec
ton excellent pencil drawings by J. e.
Eckloff and j. Wilmer Smith, and
water colors capably rendered by J. L. |
Betiejeski, jr., and Roy Kuhn.
"A unique feature Of the section |
given over to the work Of architects |
In the War Department il series Of |
masks by @. w. Immler. including,