Texas State Association of Architects

that should there ever arise another demand similar to the one of recent date at our capital our government will not feel that they must import experts, but will call upon our president to appoint a committee of one or more as the case demands.

I was much pleased when I saw the Dallas NEws take up the cue in behalf of our association and I feel we ought to both individually and collectively extend our hearty thanks for the part it performed as I believe it has its weight with the heads at the capital; I was much pleased also to see two of our association selected to serve on the committee. In all honor to Mr Harrod of New Orleans whom I have known long and favorably and know him to be high-toned gentleman and well worthy of the trust, would say if it is possible for us honorably to make it his first and last visit in like capacity.

To accomplish this I think we should abandon some things that have been practiced. Never entertain a client that we know has previously employed another architect until he has settled with and discharged him.

Never tender our services to a man that we know is a client of another. Stop all backbiting, shuns and sneers, and above all things, don't speak slightly or unkindly of one because he was once a mechanic and is not in our eyes a professional architect, because he has not passed through a full professional course.

If I am rightly informed, some of these men have risen to eminence in our profession as well as many others. I think we should abandon all this as unprofessional. We should set examples for other to follow. This calls to mind something that happened many years ago.

A little boy was amusing was amusing himself with his playthings and at one attracted his mother's attention and among other things said: "Mama, if I live to grow up to be as good a man as my papa I will be satisfied." That mother took this to the father and said: - "You see now, your boy's eyes are on you, do you see the example you must set?"

Gentlemen, that father never forgot the warning. That little boy has grown to manhood, and today holds a fine position is getting a splendid salary and is a comfort to his parents in

their deciling years. Therefore let us, one and all, set examples for those that are to follow, as well as make honorable records for ourselves. Then we will elevate ourselves and our pro-fession to a standard that will be respected and honored.

I fear I am wearying you, but a word on competition and I am done. I am opposed to compitition on general prin-ciples. I think we should never enter into private compitition believing it soholly unprofession-al, but force the proprietor to select an Architect and go into as little public work as it is possible, as I believe it has a tendency to demoralize and cause deception and dishonor, always a large amount of time lost! with but very small returns, Gentlemen, I believe I have said enough, I have endeavored to be brief, and to the point, and if I have seeminly apeard to be personal please pardon me, as it was not intentional, I have thrown out hints, made suggesions and recommendations from my own stand point, and uf there are those present who honestly differ with me in their convictions, I would like to hear from them when in order, I will now close with a

74

little anecote. Many years ago an old sea Captain, who is still sailing into the port of Galveston, was on a voyage from England to said port in command of an English Steamer and Crew; said commander being a plain unassum-ing but a noble fellow, was address-ed one day by his first Officer in rather a pompous manner in the following language: "Captain, shall we give those passengers Irish potatoes ad libitum?" //underlined ad libitum //

The Captain looked at him and finally answered in his plain but firm manner. "No, give them to um plain filed as they are ac-customed to having um." Gentlemen, I have given you this paper plain filed and I hope you will be able to digest it without pepper or salt.

Moved that the thanks of this Association be tendered Architect Tobey for his paper so kindly read, and the address be spread upon the minutes, Carried.

On Motion of Architect E. T. Heiner that the bill, "An act to regulate the practice of Architecture in the state of Texas" be called up and read by section, Carried.

Section 1 adopted as read.-

76

Section 10 Adopted. Section 11 Amended to read after the word buildings _" or presenting plans Competition," and adopted,

Section 12 was adopted after amending as follows: " Nor shall The penalties of this act apply to well Known Architects of other States, who may visit our State for temporary competition on public or private buildings, in person, and in case any work may be awaded to such an Architect, he shall be com-petlled to procure a license to practice, The same as other licensed Architects of The State, in case he remains or intends to superintend such work. In case such Architects fail to take out such license he shall be liable to all the fines and penalties of this act,

Upon The recommendation of President J. J. Kane, the Secretary was instructed to read The act as amended and revised,

An Act

To regulated the practice of Architecture in The State of Texas. _

77

Section 1.

Be it enacted by the legislature of the state of Texas:

That it shall be unlawful for any person to practice architecture within the limits of this state without first having obtained a license so to do in the manner hereafter provided.

Section 2.

The governor of this state shall within (30) thirty days from the approval of this act appoint a board of examiners of architects to be composed of five members of the Texas State Association of Architects who shall have been engaged in the honorable practice of their profession at least seven years and shall be so selected that different sections of the state shall be represented. The term of office of the members of said board first appointed shall be two for one year and three for two years respectively and their seccessors shall be appointed for a term of two years.

Section 3.

Said board of examiners of architects shall organize within sixty (60) days from the approval of this act and shall procure a seal and books of record in which all proceedings of said board shall be kept. Said records shall be kept in the archives of

of the secretary of state, and the said board shall have the power to administers oaths and to solicit and receive testimony on all matters relating to its duties. Said board shall hold its meetings at the state capital at least twice a year and at such times as it may elect and due notice shall be published of the time and place of such meetings of said board and three members shall for a quorum.

Section 4.

Said board of examiners of architects shall receive application for licenses and act upon them as follows: all architects who are at the time of the passage of this act members of the Texas State Association of Architects, and shall produce a state mint to that effect under seal of the secretary of said association and if at a meeting of said board held thirty days or more after such application [they?] be found competent and no good objection be made to the granting of a license said board shall issue to each of said person license to practice architecture within the limits of this state without subjecting him to further examination.

Section 5.

The said board shall

examine all applicants for licenses who comply with the following conditions, vig: (A) All who are engaged in the practice of architecture at the time of the passage of this act and not members of the Texas State Association of Architects, or who may desire to practice the profession of architecture hereafter in the state of Texas. (B) Any graduate of a university, scientific or technical college of architecture.

Section 6.

All nominations shall be made directly by said board and shall extend over the entire field of the construction of buildings with special reference to a test of the knowledge of the candidate of the strength of materials, and of his ability to make practical application of such knowledge in the ordinary professional work of the architect and should also seek to determine his knowledge of the laws of sanitation as applied to buildings.

Section 7.

A license to practice architecture within the limits of this state shall be issued by said board to each candidate (including architects from other states) who has fulfilled the above

conditions and whose fitness to assume the duties and responsibilities of an architect shall have been demonstated to said board by the examination to which said candidate has been subjected.

Section 8.

If any architect be accused of gross carelessness or recklessness in the discharge of his duties and after giving due hearing to the accused and his accusers, said board shall find him guilty of such offense, his license may be temporarily withdrawn or entirely revoked, as may seem proportionate to the gravity of the offense.

Section 9.

The fee to be paid for a license shall be $50, which shall be paid into the treasury of the state.

Section 10.

The members of said board shall serve without compensation but their actual expenses incured in the discharge of their duties shall be paid out of the state treasury general fund.

Section 11.

Any person who shall be engaged in the planning or supervision of the erection of buildings of presenting plans for competition shall be regarded as an architect within the

provisions of this act, and shall be held to comply with the same; but nothing contained in this act shall prevent the students or employees of those lawfully practicing as architects, under license of said board, from acting under instruction or spervision of their employers.

Section 12.

Any person performing the duties of an architect in this state, without first complying with the provisions of this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof, shall be fined in any sum not less than $100, and not more than $500, and cost of prosecution, for each and every offense, and shall stand committed until such fine + costs are paid. Said fine to be paid into the state treasury. But the penalties of this act shall not apply until six months after its approval. Nor shall the penalties of this act apply to well known architects of other states who may visit our state for temporary competition or public or private buildings, in person, or in case any work may be awarded to such an architect, he shall be compelled to procure a license to practice. The same