AIA Southern Chapter Proceedings

THE SOUTHERN CHAPTER, A. I. A. 33

Now, all this goes to prove that the architect, builder and public must possess the necessary essential knowledge to be qualified for any undertaking. Integrity must take a hand too, and must characterize the dealings between architect and employer, and acknowledged skill and taste must be recognized for the honorable fulfillment of the work. The public opinion is respected in this, and must be in all matters. It is the voice of the people, let us respect it in the higher arts and furnish suggestions for a necessary course of instruction and acquiring such knowledge that will characterize the buildings of a nation.

It is proposed, therefore, that a National College shall be established throughout the United States for the acquirement of architecture and the rpactice regulating it, as follows :

That after an examination and the student is found to possess sufficient grounding in common school education, a term of two or three year's apprenticeship, during which term he shall study and qualify himself in the principles of classic architecture and the styles of the middle ages, and practically delineate and trace scaled drawings and visit the various works in coure of construction, he shall, after prescribed examination at the college, be acknowledged a member of the Architectural Association with a certificate to such effect issued him by said college, which shall entitle him to accept a junior position in an architect's office at a stipulated remuneration.

That after a further term of three years, with additional practice as a junior, he shall pass an examination which shall qualify him as a senior draughtsman. And after passing still a further examination in the nature and strength of materials, hydrostatics, prices, economy of construction and design and a higher knowledge of mathematics, construction, archaeology, ventilation and heating, he shall be entitles to practice as an architect.

By this means I think we should insure excellence as a whole and avoide rudeness in design and premature decay and failure.

That every contractor, foreman or clerk of works shall be required to shows his certificate of having passed the full course in his trade at one of the acknowledged technological institutes of the country and exhibit a practical knowledge of building in all its branches, and shall pass an examination at said college testifying to his ability in managing all classes of building, after which he shall be entitled to carry on and enter into contracts for the execution of public and private works.

That our public schools and other places of learning the privilege shall be granted to the student of a course in designing and color (as well as music), that the general public by this means shall imbibe the spirit of taste and skill.

That all persons who shall have their certificates of qualification shall

34 THE SOUTHERN CHAPTER, A. I. A.

be deprived of the privilege of performing their function in either architects' office, senior draughtsman, junior assistant or builder, foreman or clerk of works, by unskilled handling of work if it is proved that they lack the information as herein prescribed, and shall be reinstated only upon further examination by said college.

That the Board of Examiners shall be appointed annually to conduct all examinations, chosen from among the members of the profession in good standing, which shall also act as referees in public competition.

In connection with all the foregoing suggestions, there are numerous theories to be considered, such as the maintenance and governemtn of such a national college, the studies taught and library, collection of prize drawings and the minutiae too volumnious to enter the detail now; but suffice it to say, that by the formulation of this institution of architectural learning it is proposed to insure to the public and to the individual the greatest economy, advanced taste, science and skill at building, that will be a credit to the nation and a profitable return for the great outlay of wealth, as well as providing the best means for a thorough, systematic and speedy education in the science and art of building, and which will tend to draw out the most honorable talent of the country, and will also insure the builder against the discredit of failure, and will inspire confidence to the investor, and chiefly it will be the means of encouraging proper friendly relations in all business enterprises to the benefit of the labourer, artisan, builder, architect and the public, all working together for the noble purpose of leaving behind standing monuments of credit to the country's pride.

Mr. Woodruff : In order that the work of the Secretary may be curtailed as far as possible, I wish to offer the following resolution : Resolved, That all applicants for memsership [membership] in this Chapter in future must be accompanied by the admission fee of $5.00 before any action can be taken thereon by the Board of Directors, except in cases of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, or of any of its Chapters, or of State Associations, who shall be admitted without the payment of the membership fee.

The Secretary : I have a letter from the President of the American Institute of Architects, and also one from the President of the Ontario (Canada) Association of Architects, which I will now read.

MR. E. H. KENDALL'S LETTER :

New York, January 9th, 1893.

A. C. BRUCE, Esq.,

President Southern Chapter Amer. Inst. of Architects.

Dear Sir :—

The very attractive programme of your second annual convention was duly received. The proceedings will evidently be both interesting and instructive.

THE SOUTHERN CHAPTER, A. I. A. 35

I am very much obliged to your Chapter for its kind invitation to be present, but a Directors' meeting of the Institute in Washington tomorrow evening, and a hearing on the following day before the Senate Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, with reference to obtaining plans for government work by limited competition, will prevent my accepting it. With best wishes for a successful meeting, I remain,

Yours very truly,

EDW. H. KENDALL,

President A. I. A.

27 North Street, Toronto, Dec. 30th, 1892. Dear Sir :— I regret that I am unable to accept the invitation of the Southern Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, to be present at its second annual Convention, as I have just returned after an absence of two months, and find that I have a large amount of work to do to get my office in proper shape.

I also regret that, owing to the above reason, I am unable to prepare a paper to be read at the Convention.

On behalf of the Ontario Association of Architects, I wish your Chapter every success in its efforts to forward the interests of our profession.

I am, sir,

Yours very sincerely,

S. G. CURRY,

President O. A. A.

To A. C. BRUCE, Esp., Atlanta, Ga.,

President Southern Chapter A. I. A.

Mr. Helmich: In order that the necessary bills may be properly framed and put before the various Legislatures of the Southern States, at as early a date as possible, I move that the President of this Chapter at his earliest convenience, appoint three members in each State where this Chapter is represented, and that they co-operate with each other in formulating such bill or bills as will be for the welfare of our profession, and that these individual Committees shall press upon their resspective Legislatures the importance of passing such wholesome and safe laws for the control of the practice of architects as is deemed necessary for the protection and welfare of the public.

Unanimously carried.

The President: I appoint Mess. Halmich, C. Wheelock and Smith the committee for the State of Alabama.

The Secretary : I should have stated in the report of the

36 THE SOUTHERN CHAPTER, A. I. A.

Board of Directors, that at their meeting in Atlanta, Sept. 1st, 1892, the resignation of W. W. Goodrich, Atlanta, Ga., of membership in this Chapter, was accepted.

On motion of Mr. Lind the meeting adjourned till eight o'clock tomorrow night, in order that the hospitality of the Birmingham Street Railway Company, tendering an excursion to the Bessemer, Howard-Harrison Pipe Works and Ensley Furnaces, tomorrow, be accepted.

THIRD DAY—NIGHT SESSION.

Meeting opened according to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Bruce the following resolution was unanimously adopted :

Resolved, That the thanks of this Chapter be extended to the Press of this city, and to all persons who have in any way contributed to the pleasure and success of this meeting, and especially to the persons who have so kindly prepared and read pages upon the various topics before this Convention, and last, but not least, of all, to the Caldwell Hotel for its kindness and attention shown the members of this Chapter during their stay in this city.

Mr. Bruce : I desire to offer the following resolution :

Resolved, That the thanks of this Chapter be unanimously extended to all invited guests for the numerous courtesies and pleasant associations during our session.

Unanimously adopted.

On motion of Mr. Burke the Secretary was voted $100.00 as a recognition of his services, for the ensuing year.

The Secretary returned thanks for the kindness shown him during the past year, and for the co-operation of the various officers and members, and pledged his best efforts for the control of the office for the ensuing year.

The President : Gentlemen, I wish to speak in praise of the untiring efforts put forward by our Secretary during the past year. I know that his duties were arduous, and I also know that he performed them nobly, and I think that we connot hold the services of our Secretary in too high esteem.

Mr. Bruce : I move that Mr. Lind be requested to illustrate his treaties on "The relation of color to music."

Which motion was carried, and Mr. Lind illustrated, to the edification and delight of the members present.

The President : I must thank Mr. Lind in behalf of the

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Chapter for his interestng explanation of color to music.

Mr. Bruce—the former President : In retiring let me return thanks for the kindness and courtesy shown me during the past year, and I hope that the Chapter in the coming years will be abundantly successful in the objects it has in view, and I desire, also, to return thanks to the Birmingham architects for the kind attention shown this Convention.

Speeches appropriate to the occasion were also made be Mr. Goodrich, the President ; Mr. Burke, Mr. Lind, Mr. Rousseau, Mr. Wood, Mr. Woodruff, Mr. Helmich and Mr. Wheelock.

MR. WHEELOCK'S SPEECH.

Mr. President and Gentlemen :

The second annual conclave of our Chapter is about closing. I am happy to say that all of meetings have been pleasant and harmonious and I trust profitable to all, the recollection of which will ever be a green spot in our memory, and as the wheels of time roll on and the shadows grow deeper and life draws to its close, it will then be pleasant for us to look back through the vista of time and call to mind the reminiscences of this event, then let us so shape our lines on the trestle-board of life, that when the grand "Architect of the universe" shall call upon us to exhibit specimens of our skill, our work may be found good work and true work ; such work as He is willing to receive. Then, indeed, shall we be entitled to enter that "house not made with hands" eternal in the heavens, and have our names enrolled on the tablet of heaven in letters of gold, bright, glorious and beautiful, for the good work of the true architect that he leaves behind will ever be as legible as the stars on the brow of the evening, and his good deeds will ever shine as brightly on the earth as the stars of heaven, and his good influence will silll [still] live when granite columns have crumbled into dust, and the glitter of titled aristocracy has forever faded away. In conclusion, gentlemen, we thank you, one and all, for your presence, and when you leave us to go to your various homes, you will take with you the good wishes and godspeed of a grateful people.

Upon motion of Mr. Wheelock the Convention adjourned to reassemble at ten o'clock, P. M., at the banquet hall.