Texas State Association of Architects

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 friends 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 introduce 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

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

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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.-

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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. _

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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