Texas State Association of Architects

Albert Ulrich, Dallas George W. Stewart, Dallas A. O. Watson, Austin George E. Dickey, Houston

The treasurer, W. W. Larmour of Waco, submitted the following report.

To the Texas State Association of Architects:

Gentlemen - Herewith the treasurer presents this report for the year ending January 17th 1888:

Blanaces on hand from last report. January 19th 1887 ...... $80.50 Membership fees & annual dues 95.00 $175.50

By order certified by J. J. Kane $50.00 Balance in hands of treasurer 125.50 $175.50

Referred to the Auditing Committee

Roll of members in good standing

John Adrewartha Austin A. B. Bristol Dallas Albert F. Beckman San Antonio [?] J. Clayton Galveston Cortez Clark Waco H. C. Dodson Waco George E. Diceky Houston W. W. Dudley Waco Alfred Giles San Antonio

E. J. Heiner Houston Sam. P. Herbert Waco J. J. Kane Fort Worth F. W. Kane Fort Worth J. Larmour Austin W. W. LArmour Waco S. A. J. Preston Austin S. N. Preston Austin Oscar Ruffini San Angelo Nat'l Tobey Dallas W. H. Tyndall Galveston [?] M. Tozer Dallas George W. Stewart Dallas Albert Ulrich Dallas Jas. Wahrenberger San Antonio A. O. Watson Austin

The following resolutions was offered by Eugene J. Heiner:

Resolved. That the schedule of changes be so changed that hereafter they shall be as follows: -

For free professional services (including supervision) 5 percent, upont the cost of the work, except for such work as hereinafter otherwise mentioned. For dwellings or resident buildings of all work costing less than $5000, 7 percent, divided as follws: for preliminary studies 1 1/2 percent; for preliminary studies, general drawings, specifications, 4 percent, for preliminary studies, general drawing, speci-

-cation and detail drawings 5 percent;

Discussions were made on the resolutions by architects Eugene T. Heiner, Sam P. Herbert and W. W. Larmour, who favored the same, and Nat'l Tobey, W. H. Trundall, W. C. Dodson and A. O. Watson against resolution.

Motion by W. C. Dodson seconded by Nat'l Tobey that the resolution be referred to the the ecevutive committee for their consideration and that they report the same back to the convention with such recommendations or alterations or additions before the final adjournment of the convention. Carried.

An invitation received from Messer, Bering Bros to visit their extensive manfuactory was read and thank returned.

Moved by Nat'l Tobey to adjourn to 9.30 A.M. Wednesday, Januart 18th. Motion prevailed.

Wednesday Morning Session

The convention was called to order at 10.30 A.M. President J. J. Kane in the chair.

Moved by W. C. Dodson that Nat'l Tobey be invited to read a paper for the interest of the Association, motion prevailed.

Subject - Professional Practice

Fellows of the Texas State Association of Architects:

Gentlemen, two years ago at the solicitation of S. A. J. Preston of Austin, representing a committee of one, appointed by the Western Association of Architects to organize a state associaiton in Texas. I went to Austin for the purpose of assisting as far as I could in said organization.

We organized with twenty acknowledged charter members; elected officers; adopted contitution and bylaws [?]. Had a very pleasant and social meeting, and altogether a general good time, and started off with flying colors. Sometime in the early part of the following season some of our members happened to meet in Bosque County. They made a move mon the enemy and captured some territyory in what I consider a professional manner. Later in the season, some of them met in Fort Bend County, where they met the enemy again, and instead of standing shoulder to shoulder as

the had in Bosque, they retrograded, became demoralized and were defeated, losing the territory. They had captured in Bosque in what I consider a very unprofessional manner.

Our Association met again one year ago - our second annual meeting - elected officers; well, that was about all we accomplished, I am sorry to say, and I think I will not say anything more about it. We have met again, our third annual meeting, and I hope we have come together for a purpose and that purpose is to work, work until we work our association out of the bog, for it seems to me we are bogged.

The question is, how are we to accomplish it. I can't see unless we go to work like men representing a good cause. I recognize we all have and are having our trials and tribulations and it is enough to have them with our clients and those who serve under use, without having them between ourselves by our own negligence, thoughtlessness, and I might add selfishness with our brother in the practice of our profession.

The object I had in view when I entered into the organization of this association was to, as far as in my power, cultivate and

bring about more unanimity between ourselves. To be more social meeting and exchanging views and ideas, and by so doing improve ourselves for our own individual as well as the universal good of the profession we represent.

My aim was an ambitious one - to elevate our profession by first elevating ourselves, and to do this, we would work together as one, and to do this successfully, we should have to and would lay aside prejudice and selfishness. I thought my views and aims echoed the voices of all present at our first convention and I hope they do today as my ambition aims for the good of this association are so high now as then. Gentlemen perhaps it would not be out of place to introduce in this paper a -[synopsis?] of a short communication that happened to come under my observation.

It gave me something to think and reflect upon, which I have done. It is as follows: "Mr. ______, Dear Sir: I take the occasion of your departure from _____ to express my regrets that you deem from _____, where your family are so well and favorably known and respected. Your thorough knowledge of scientific and decorative architecture, with

your energy and acknowledged integrity, will, I think command success in the city to which you are going, and the elegant buildings which you have erected in ____ will remind your friend of you as well as attest the perfection in the profession of architecture. With my best wishes for your prosperity, I am, sir, very truly."

I merely introcue this for a purpose, as you will see in the following:

Gentlemen, I hope there is not one within the sound of my voice but that is entitled to and worthy of all that is embodied in the above short communication. If so, we have right here good material for a foundation, well laid, to erect [therein?] an association of fellows that would be an honor to any state as soon as it became generally known. Therefore it behooves us to look well to the material, and all interests concerned, and so conduct ourselves in our daily practice as to become worthy of and command the respect of the community, and the confidence of our clients as well as all fellows. We expect to show in our plans and designs, ability, to insure success in our profession,

But what is ability worth without integrity? Hence we must practice strict integrity as well as exhibit science or ability in our plans and designs, before we can expect to become successful in our and worthy members of this our adopted and honored profession.

Not many months ago I overheard an architect make the following remark in connection with the architects of Texas: "I consider Mr. ______ the squarest and fairest architect that is practicing the profession is this state." A brother architect asked the question, "Is he more so than Mr ____?" The reply was, "Yes, I think he is." At another time I happened to hear the following from another architect: "We, Mr ____ and myself have been practicing in ________ (stating the time and place, and it takes to figures to write the time), and he has never crossed my track once." At another time I saw a little written by a gentleman that is acknowledged to be one of the shining lights of country: "In the law," when he said in recommendation of one, "he is an exemplary man." All three referring to the one and same party.

Gentlemen, if this architect is entitled to the honor herein bestowed and we, as a collective body are not, it behooves us to so practice our profession as, to if possible become the peer of him who has received the above [?], which I consider are coming from the source they did. We cannot individually expect to be recognized as great architects but I do say, for I believe it,that we can conduct ourselves in the practice of our profession to become worthy of and respected as honorable upright and I might say with emphasis, gentlemen.

What are we to do to accomplish this, I will tell you what I think: first, turn over a few leaves. And I will right here state that I do not set myself up as a leader or educator; far from it; as I do not claim to be endowed with the proper ability, but with my long practice I have learned some things from observation as well as experience during these many years that some of us much less in years have not, thereby may gain some little knowledge by sifting out the good, if there be any.

I would recommend that all should abandon the following as far as possible, severe criticism, selfishness, jealousy or envy, deceit or deception, and I might go on and go on and enumerate but it would be superfluous. Rather than criticize a brother architect who has failed to up to our standard or views in architecture, extend to him our sympathy if he is in any way worthy. If not, say as little as possible.

Be as unselfish as it is good policy and extend the same courtesy to our brother as we would wish him to us. Never be jealous or envious of one because he has out reached us and secured a good job we wished for, if he secured it squarely and honorably; and above all do not use deceit or deception with our clients and in our plans, [?] in order to secure a [fat?] or paying job. Stand firmly by every pledge we make to them and execute them faitfully to the best of our ability and then we will be honored as well as respected by this our association and those we serve. We will be in condition to serve each and every part of this our great state, so