Texas State Association of Architects Minutes and Proceedings

not time at the present, nor is it neccessary, to investigate the cause of this discimination which has been made against our profession; it is enough to know it has been done, partly because it has not been represented in the halls of legislation, as the other two have been, and partly from the mistaken idea that it was not of sufficient importance to provide for it. This feeling will give way as the light of truth breaks in upon the minds of the people and they better understand the functions, duties and responsibilities of an architect. This matter is of importance to the profession and is of equal importance to the public, and be inssited on continually, for the public will have to understand that it is for their interest before we can succeed in its attainment.

This subject is intimately blended with the billfor the regulation of the practice of architecture which we are preparing to present to the legislature; it is blended with it, because a profession of sufficient importance to require a license for the protection of the people before it can be practiced should require suitable proficiency to be made in the science and knowledge attaching to that profession, and ample means should be made to attain that proficiency. Do you not bbelieve that if there had been an architectural department in our university, as there is for law and medicine, that the legislature would not have enacted some law, on its own motion, at least similar to the one we are asking for? Because it is an unnatural father will disown his child. Graduation and license are linked together. I do not wish to be understood as advancing the idea that no man should be allowed to practice architecture unless he has gone through the curriculum which would be adopted in an institution of learning before he could be examined and licensed to practice, any more than the student of law or medicine is required to do so, but only that the same opportunities should be the one as is given the other, thus putting each upon an equal footing; but I do insist that men should be eamined and licensed by comptent authority before they are allowed to practice.

Many persons have fallen into the error that architect desire the enactment of a law requiring examination and licensure before practice can be allowed, from a desire of respectability and self interest. This is a mistake, for as a class they have too much self respect to have any desire for factitious respect, and sense enough to wish only to pass in the light of their own merit and indivudality rather than that of a borrowed light which might be given by a recognition from the state, neither is it from a selfish motive that the enactment of this law is desired, for I know of no facts showing them to be more selfish than other classes, but we know enough to justify us in the attempt to get such a law for the protection of the people. Law and medicine have such laws and the man would make himself contemptible who brought such a charge against lawyers or doctors. They advocated such protection, not for themselves only, but for the people, because each in their own profession were better qualified to detect charlatans and impostors than were others, and what the facts are in their case are exactly the facts in our case.

The architects want to be protected! Not at all, any further than the law throws its ægis around every citizen, and around other professions for the protection of the citizen. If any special protection had been necessary for our existence we would have become extinct long ago, for we have received protection than any other class of citizens in any department of business. No, we want no protection, other than the security of our rights; but the people want protection and it is the duty of the state to give it to them. In this as in all other instances where progress has been made in a right line the architect has the task before him of teaching others what is for their goods, and what is necessary for their own safety and comfort, and must live in advance of those around him and occupy a higher plane in technical, scientific and practical information, for he must not keep up with the advancement of the people, but must keep in advance of their advancement -- in his department, a leader able to instruct. Gentlemen, you thus see the work, or at least part of it, which lies before us. Many of us will not live long enough to see the fruits of our labor ripen into the golden harvest, but if we will be true to ourselves and true to the interests of others, those who will come after us will reap what we have sown. Each one is now busy drawing designs and laying out plans for foundations and their superstructures, and are having buildings erected which will stand as monuments to their labor and their worth, but as an association, we are laying a foundation deeper and broader than any we have laid as individuals, and the projecting compass of design will describe a nobler building and fairer in all its proportions -- a monument to the memory and the worth of the Texas Association of Architects. Sheltered within its walls the architects will keep abreast with the wants of this great state in all its improvements, until its sunny hills and umbrageous valleys rejoicing in the handiwork of man, will smile with their tasteful dwellings and gorgeous palaces, the picture of refined intelligence and a scene of beauty.

But decaying elements exist in all materials, which finally terminate in the ruin, and this structure which we raise will be brought to a speedy fall if we do not eliminate everything of a ruinous nature. We cannot expect success if each is trying to work

the ruin of others by depreciating all merit and by innuendoes and evil speaking, seeking to pull others down that we may rear ourselves upon their ruins. Remember, that if we are to accomplish anything, it is to be by a united effort and to attain to a united effort, self respect and respect for other must unite us into a band of workers, each rejoicing in the success of his associates. I know of nothing of such a debasing character, or such a sure index to absolute littleness of capacity, as a depreciation of others and an exaltation of self - nothing that has such an adverse influence on others in forming opinions of our worth, as to know low esteem each holds the other. If this principle in regard to our associates is not acted upon by each member, we are needlessly spending our time and our money in any effort to effect the objects of our association. Here, all stand upon the same plane, and no one is abvoe his fellow except by the force of his own individuality, and instead of trying to pull others down, let us endeavor to raise ourselves to their standard. What standing has a family in a community where each member is accusing the other as unworthy of confidence, only that evidence is given that all are unworthy of respect, and will be treated accordingly? It is an axiom, true in this respect, that a member cannot suffer without the whole body suffering. Then, if we have unworthy members, who are detriment to our good and are an affliction to us as a body, cut them off and get rid of them, but if not, let us not lower ourselves by criminations of others.

What I have said to you is for the best interests of our association, and in the hope that these suggestions will be acted upon, each of us can have the assurance that we will attain the high ends for which we are united.

On motion of J J Kane of Fort Worth it was resolved that the thanks of this association be tendered President Dodson for his masterly address and that the address he spread upon the minutes and be published in the next annual report in full.

Moved by Geo E Dickey of Houston that the reading of the minutes by the Secretary be [?] with as each member of the association was in possession of a copy the motion prevailed.

The Executive Committee in their report admitted the following members of this association Geo F King El Paso Mc Donald Austin L McQuirk Dallas J. R. Gordon San Antonio Geo S Kane Fort Worth

The chairman of the Executive Committee assured further time for a full report from the Committee. Granted

The [bill?] entitled an [?] [regulate?] the practice of architecture in the state of Texas was called up and after [?] discussion with pro & con it was moved by A. O. Watson of Austin. That further discussion on the bill be laid over with Wednesday morning so as to enable the newly elected members to sutdy the bill carefully.

Architect Geo W Stewart of Dallas by request of the association [?] a brief well worded history of the character and working of the Dallas Board of Architects as conclusion of which the thanks of the association was tendered architect Stewart

The following resolution was offered by A. O. Watson of Austin

Resolved the the question of uniform contract between client and architect and client and contractor be set aside for discussion Wednesday. Carried

The treasurer Eugene T Heiner submitted the following report

Amt [?] from Tres W W Larmour 125.50 " " " Memship fees 35.00 " " " Annual dues 95.00 255.50

Recd order Sect'y W W Larmour 75.00 Bill in hand Treasurer 185.50 255.50

Report submitted Eugene T Heiner Treas Texas S A A

on motion of J J Kane of Fort Worth. The report was refered to the auditing committee

The president appointed the following Com Geo E Dicket Housy A O Watson Austin. Frank W Kane Fort Worth

Moved by Natl Tobey of Dallas that the Secty W W Larmour be authorized to obtain 150 copies of 'The Day' of each days proceedings of this convention. Motion prevailed

Roll of members in good standing

A. B. Bristol Dallas Alfred T Beckman San Antonio Cortez Clark Dallas W C Dodson Waco Geo E Dickey Houston J R Gordon San Antonio Eugene T Heiner Houston Sam P Herbert Waco J J Kane Fort Worth F W Kane " " Geo S Kane " " Geo T King El Paso J LArmour Austin W W Larmour Waco Burt McDonald Austin M McQuirk Dallas Oscar Ruffini San Angelo Natl Tobey Dallas W H Tyndall Galveston Guy M Tozer Dallas Geo W Stewart " Albert Ulrich "

James Wahrenberger San Antonio A. O. Watson Austin Alfred Giles San Antonio

On motion of Geo E Dickey of Houston the convention adjourned until Wednesday morning 10 A.M.

Wednesday morning Jan 17 the association was called to order at 10 A..M President W C Dodson in the chair

By special invitation [?] by a unanimous vote of the association James Wahrenberger [?] the following were considered and [?] address

Address

Gentlemen of the Texas State Association of Architects:

Were my brain as sterile in designing, my hand as unskilled with pencil and brush as they are with the thoughts and pen of essayist, I might justly be considered a charlatan, or at beast but a tyro in our profession. But feeling a deep interest in the welfare of our profession and of my professional bretheren, at the risk of being considered presumptuous and incurring your merited criticisms; I venture to present for your consideration a few practical remarks upon the present status of our profession in this state, and the difficulties and evils attendings its daily practice; with some suggestions as to the remedies for the cure of the one and the means of overcoming some others. Our professional as well as many of the daily papers, from time to time give us valuable hints in this connection. At the same time, while this is true, this subject is one of such paramount importance to our prosperity, the elecation of the standard of our art, and maintenance of proper professional pride and dignity, that it should claim the attention of all architects in good standing, and more particularly those of our association. So that by repeaged discussions, and the presentation of professional facts, methods and ideas to laymen, ways and means may be devised for the removal of these unfavorable conditions, and for rasing the standing of our noble art to that high plane of excellence to which it rightfully belongs, and which it holds in countries abroad, and in the older sgtates in this country. The accomplishment of these purposes is to be effected partly by ourselves and partly by the enactment of laws regulating the practice of architecture in this state. To have such laws placed upon the statute books, it is necessary that the public mind be educated, that the vox populi be taught the proper and correct relations which should exist between the honorable, educated architect and his clients, as well as with the public at large; for while the architect in