Texas State Association of Architects

The President wished the badge to be the official badge of the assn. Their adoption was moved by Dickey, seconded by Herbert. Carried.

Gordon wished a clause about the [?] law as to whether an architect is an artisan and can claim protection under that law. An architect is first on the building and the last off it, and should be defended.

Mr. Dickey spoke of the new [?] law and its effect and required the use of the word "architect" mentioned in the bill in conjunction with artist, artisan, etc. Does the term "architect" coincide with and mean the same as artist?

Mr. Gordon moved that a committee of one member of the T. S. A. A be appointed to [lurge?] the insertion of the word "architect" in the present [lien?] law. Seconded by Mr. Rabitt. Adopted. Mr. Dickey moved that Mr. Wahrenberger be the member on the aboved Committee. Carried.

The bill before the legislature, viz; an act to regulate the practice of architecture in the state of Tex. Came up for discussion and a motion was made that Mr. Wahrenberger be authorized to use his endeavors to promote the welfare of the present bill before the house, and that he be allowed the necessary means to obtain that end. He could look after it in connection

with the lien law, and on the same visit. Unanimously adopted

Mr. Gordon spoke of the trouble that is encountered [owing?] to proprietors using architects plans, sometimes without alterations, but generally with slight modifications, paying the contractor to erect such house without employing the arch't or even informing him of the action Mr. J. J. Kane spoke of a case in which the city of Fort Worth wishes to build a fire hall similar in every respect to one already erected in the city, and did not intend paying the architect for using his design.

Mr. Gill cited a similar case in Dallas. The plans were originally prepared by Mr. Bristol and the board thought that they could use them again but at the suggestion of Mr. Gill, who saw the injustice of such a move, the board will either employ Mr. Bristol to prepare a new set at the usual fees or pay him for the presented set.

The meeting adjourned to meet at 3 o'clock.

Afternoon session

Mr. Wahrenberger called the members to order at 3 o'clock

The resolution of the competition committee was presented as follows:

Resolved that no member

of this associaiton shall offer plans in competition for buildings, unless the building committee or commissioners are fully competent to read correctly the plans or that they employ a disinterested expert.

No member of the association shall offer plans for any building with a contractor or builder or architects outside of the association

The resolution of the competition committee was laid on the table after animated discussion by Gill, Rabitt and Gordon. When Mr Gordon presented an amended resolution to the original resolution as follows: Be it reserved by the T. S. A. A. hereby recommended to all committees contemplating the erection of public buildings the advisability of having one or more professional architects to assist them in the selection of designed therefor.

Be it further resolved that it is beneath the dignity of any practicing architect to compete with builders or other non-professionals for buildings of any character

Question

Mr. Gill inquired what was meant by the word "architect"? Every village carpenter calls himself an architect the building committee would perhaps consider a stone mason more practical than an architect, or a carpenter's knowledge of more importance than either a mason or brick-layer, or even an architect

Mr. Gordon spoke in favor of his resolution followed by Mr. Sanguinet.

Moved by Mr. Gill, seconded by Sanguinet, that the resolution be adopted.

On motion it was withdrawn.

Mr. Gill objects to the wording of the latter clause of the amendment and moved that it be omitted, [and?] that the resolution now read:

Be it reserved, that the T. S. A. A. hereby recommend to all committies contemplating the erection of public buildings the advisability of having one or more professional architects to assist them in the selection of designs therefor.

A standing vote being called for results in the adoption of the amendment.

Yeas - Ulrich, Gill, Messer + Dickey Nays - Sanguinet, Gordon + Rabitt

Mr. Gordon seconded by Mr. Ulrich presents a resolution as follows:

That, for the advancement of professional intercourse and instruction,

Be it reserved, that each member bring or send to the next and subsequent conventions any drawings, sketches, moulds or other matter of interest to the profession and place the same on exhibition in some sutiable place alloted therefor by the local committee who will take charge of them and return

then to their rightful owners in good condition, free of cost.

Carried.

The announcement of the sudden death of Mr. J. W. Root, sec'y of the [A. S. A.?], having been made, the following resolution was prepared:

Resolved, that the T. S. A. A. extends to the [A. S. A.?] its heartfelt sympathies in the loss of so valuable a secretary, so true a man and so able an architect as John W. Root, [?].

Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent President R. M. Hunt, the bereaved family, and the professional press, adopted by a unanimous vote all the members standing.

At 4:40 it was moved and seconded that the convention adjourn until 7:30 o'clock, in order that the members might avail themselves of the courtesies of Mr. Lunch to visit the foundry and drive around the city generally, also visiting the new brewery in course of erection.

Wednesday - Evening Session

Meeting called to order by President Wahrenberger, at 7:40 o'clock.

The secretary report was read and adopted.

For applications for membership were not accepted.

The names of W. H. Tyndall, of Galveston, and Geo. E. King, of El Paso, were struck from the roll of membership. A testimonial in the application of J. J. Kane for superintendent of public buildings at Ft Worth was read, as follows:

Whereas we have been informed that our worthy friend and member of T. S. A. A. J. J. Kane has made application for the resident superintendent of construction of the United States gov't about to be erected here at Ft Worth be it

Reserved, that we, the T. S. A. A. hereby heartily endorse the application of Mr. J. J. Kane as honest, competent and trustworthy in every respect, and that we believe Mr. Kane to be an excellent choice for the position

Mr. Gill moved, seconded by Haggart, that the application be endorsed by the T. S. A. A.

Mr. Dickey thought that our effort would be useless with the department, unless the federal superintendent of public buildings would endorse the application.

Political influence would also go a long way in securing the position

Mr. Ulrich understood that there were other members of teh association equally interested in the appointment and that it would

hardly do for the association to make a choice to the dissatisfaction of other members.

Mr. Sanguinet thought that he might himself wish for the appointment to which Mr. Kane replied that he had already an understanding with the Dept. of Bldgs; that he had the place as good as secured.

Mr. Gill asked to be allowed to withdraw his motion as he was not aware that the other Fort Worth arch'ts were desirous of the position; he understood that the paper was simply an additional endorsement of an already appoint architect in chg.

Mr. Kane desired that the resolution be withdrawn, which the seconder, Mr. Haggart, agreed to.

The names of the newly elected were announced as follows: C. C. Diboll, Dallas, recommended by Albert Ulrich + Geo. W. Stewart. C. A. Gill, Dallas, recommended by Albert Ulrich + Geo. W. Stewart J. S. [Moud?], Dallas, recommended by Albert Ulrich + Geo. W. Stewart Paul Hellwig, Austin, recommended by S. P. Herbert and Jos. Wahrenberger Oscar Lynch, Ft Worth, honorary member, recommended by Geo. E. Dickey and S. R. Haggart Arthur A Messer, Fort Worth, recommended by Jos Wahrenberger + M R Sanguinet

Mr. Gordon asked how it was that the [?] name had been changed wherein he had nominated Mr. Messer, which Mr. Kane replied that association did not consider Mr. Gordon a member of the association, as he had been expelled at the last annual meeting as reference to the books would show + the secy would explain, so it was considered his [?] would not be in proper order, therefore another name was subsituted

Mr. Stewart announced that there was no proper reason for the same and that the charges were all founded and incorrect and that the member was still a member in good standing, unless the association as a body expelled him.

Mr. Wahrenberger said, the member (Mr. Gordon) was expelled outright at the last annual meeting of the association and would only have been reinstated with the consent of the executive committee

Mr. Gordon was surprised at this information; he had never been told that he was expelled; to the contrary he had received an announce of being fully paid up and was invited by the [secy?] to attend the annual convention and intimated to the secy that he would be present. He had receipts for paid up fees to date. He did not understand the circumstances

and called on the secy to explain

Mr. Stewart said that he was acting secy at the last annual meeting held in May 1890, that the late secy's books showed Mr. Gordon indebted to the association for two years fees, where as the treasurers papers, which were not produced at that meeting and not received by himself for some days thereafter, showed Mr. Gordon fully paid up, the latter papers had been in the hands of the executive committee for some months previous and should have been produced at the annual meeting and supersede the secretary's books. Mr. Gordon's suspension was an error on the part of the executive committee which the secretary rectified without notifying the committee.

Perhaps he had undertaken a good deal but it was in the interests of justice

Mr. Gordon hoped that if there were charges further than those state they should be announced.

The secy replied that there were no other charges against Gordon further than non-payment of fees and that charge was not sustained.

The secretary had prepared a new set of books, showing what amts had been paid by the members from time to time and would read out the same for their benefit, and any member was invited to look over the same as to its correctness.

Mr. Kane asked for the papers of

the late treasurer, Steiner, and if they could be produced.

Mr. Gordon wished to be excused while he was being discussed + was granted permission to leave the room.

The Secy had not the required papers with him, but Mr. Kane could rely on the books being correct. They were absolutely correct as far as the secretar's knowledge went and was surprised at Mr. Kane's want of confidence. Mr. Stewart had no object in shielding Gordon, never having met him until the day previous.

Mr. Gill hoped that ill feeling towards a member of the association would not be sustained

As members of the association we should endeavor to put grudges aside and work together for a common cause + regretted that any petty feelings or jealousies existed, and hoped, if other charges than those already brought forward could be [adduced?], now was time to look into them

Mr. Dickey regretted that there should be any such unpleasant personalities involved, + in order to draw it to a conclusion, begged to move the following resolution:

That the action of the Executive Committee regarding the expulsion or suspension of J. Riley Gordon be not sustained.