Journal of the American Institute of Architects, March 1930

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OCTAGON cA Journal of The American Institute of Architects Volume 2 Number 3

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THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS THE OCTAGON, WASHINGTON, D. C. OFFICERS N rias V . . C. Herrick Hammonp, 160 North La Salle Street, Chicago, II. AE TEETE E d TT e Eee J. Monnoz HewLerr, 2 West 45th Street, New York, N. Y, .. WILLIAM J. Sarwanp, 101 Marietta Street Building, Atlanta, Ga. O RA cares daran en re «+... «FRANK C. Batpwin, The Octagon, Washington, D. C. ..........EDwIN BerasTrom, Citizens National Bank Bldg., Los Angeles, Cal. BOARD OF DIRECTORS For One Year (1939-30) For Two Years (1929-31) Wru H. Loup. ..17 4 Church St., Asheville, N. C. (South Atlantic Div.) Mvaos Horr. .1107 Hibernian Bidg., Los Angeles, Cal. (Sierra Nevada Div.) For Three Years (1029-82) Faxpexicx W. Gansen____ 4 W. 7th St., Cincinnati, Ohio (Great Lakes Div.) Cuaatzs T. Incmam_.1211 Empire Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa. (Middle Atl. Div.) Fazo Færome WIe P. O. Box 497 , Boseman. Mont. (West. Mount. Div.) LIST OF CHAPTERS, 1930 . L. Younkin, 8. Mewhinney, yess 8. Sieh Bt. Diminghem, Ala; NEBRASKA—*W. Bidg., Birmingham, Ala. 2 reen, 713 Education H. Wi Home Insurance Bldg., Little Rock, Ark.; ARANGAS- Opere EW St., Little Rook, Ark. en . — n EI ld CENTRAL O Nele Bank Bilde" Reve, Fiat Iron ge Urbana, III.; — Mr Ba Dee y Br ADO ht la Pm Broker, Sinn M CI, 1308 The — . Cincinnati, Ohio; CLEVELAND—*A. H. 7 2341 Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio; Lome ho yh meee an, 2341 Caras Are 99 2 eredith Musick, Republic game Denver, Colo. tW. — 818 12th Street, Denver, Colo St., Columbus, Ohio; LUMBUS—*Daniel A. Carmichael, 5 E. Ww. A. Paine, 584 East Broad Street, Columbus, Herbert Gray Ban ORS, Bes Bove, Can — ohig CONNECTICUT. tAlfred W. Boylen, 19 A Tran Ohio. tEllasson DAYTON—*Edwin F. Sim; R. Smith, 1005 Commercial DO, A Stanton. 2231 Park Avenue, Detroit, Mich.; {Branson V. Gamber, 3500 Union Trust Bldg., Detroit, Mich. FLORIDA CENTRAL—*John W. a „ 3119 Jerome 8t., C St. Peters- Fla.; C. Sedgwick Moss, 509 Smith Bldg., St. Petersburg, a D. „ Richard a AA , ND RAPIDS— L. Mead, 902 Michigan Grand ORAND, Mich: tRoger 200 Lee rad pda Mi WAII—*Marshall H. Webb, Box 537, Honolulu, T. H.; {Herbert Cayton, E — — T h. ’ IND —*Arthur H. 8 Warren D. ~ „616 Olio Senat Terre Heute ' WA—*Amos B. T 9 Iowa; f. IOWA 2. Do Moins ‘ower, oines, Iowa; {Vernon AN an go nn KANSAS Ward Parkway, Kansas City, CITY— W. Tanner, 6400 Sea H Danko. 500 — Kavos Gite „Mo. KANSAS—*Charies W. Shaver, 147 South Santa Fe Street, Salina, Kansas. 306 n Hall Lawrenen Mane. {George M. Beal, 305 KENTUCKY—‘W. Edwin Glens, o sie Panda ns W. E N e. — La.; Arrasmith, 1201 Heyburn ES Tetela fart Male — MADISON "Arthur Le State Capitol, Madison, Wise. fJames R. . —— Mian. nr Cohagen, Boz 1306, Billings, Mont. ; W. R. Plew, Commission, Lincoln, Nebr.; tN 8. Wallace, 2561 "Whitmore Ave., Nebr. i NEW YORK—"W, Adams Delano, 101 Park A * Y N. Yu A id ok, N. Y pu. none CAROLINA—*James B. TW. W. Dodge, Jr., 20 Woodlink NORTHERN CALIFORNIA *Frederick H. E. Meyer, 525 Market St. Sus Francisco, Cal.; tJames H. Mitchell, 277 Pine St., San Franeisoo, Cal. Walnut Street, Philadelphia, lainat St., Philadelphia, Pa. A San Diego, Cal.; Louis J. Gill, 32 Sefton Bldg., Ban Diego. Cal. È Ray, A A E, Pm. > Ci Guerra SANTA BARBARA—*Russell tE. Keith Lockard, 114 East de la | BARRE—*Edward H . ; tLewis Hancock, 1010 Meare Bidg., Seran: SHREVEPORT "Samuel O. Wisner, Ardia Bldg. Shreveport, a. Ed F. Neild, Shreveport, La. ng SOUTH CAROLINA—J. B. U. Columbia National Bank Cob bia, 8. C.: —— — BO. ** 1001 Savannah Bank & TEXAS—*John W. Dehnert, Esperson Bldg., Houston, Texas; tAddison 8. Nunn, 212 Soanlan Bide, Houston, Texas. W SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—*Harold C. — Are, q A Hibernian Bl Bide, Los Angeles, Calif.; tA. S. Nibecker, 1624 Bushnell 8. Pasadena, SOUTHERN PENNBYLVANIA—*Julian e N. 3rd aa. Harme ; 1M. Edwin Green, Third and Forster UTAH—* Clifford rr Lo te VIRGINIA—*Marcellus E. Wright, American National Bank Vas 6 Y. Cola —̃ vD— a WASHINGTON, D. C.— Peasies, 1238 Connecticut A he y D. G.: — Rodar, 16 Jackson Place, N. W., Washing — STATE—*Roland E. y f onde > auoma; Lance E. Gowen, 307 Lumber Exchange woe” WEST TEXAS—*Emmett T. Jackson, — iranek; San A» tonio, Texas.; Robert M.;Ayres, Smith-Young Tower, Ban Antonio, Texas. WEST VIRGINIA—*Carl W. 3 W en ive en We Va.; tCarleton C. Wood, 445 Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, Wis; Place, Milwaukee, Wis.

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IMANES E THE OCTAGON A Journal of The American Institute of Architects Published Monthly by The American Institute of Architects Executive and Publication Offices, The Octagon, 1741 New York Avenue N. W., Washington, D. C. Twenty-Five Cents tus Corr. $1 pen Year. (Foreicn $2) Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to The American — of Anphltoste. All communications for publication should be sent to The Secretary, The A. L A Copyright, 1898, by The American Institute of Architects Entered as second-class matter, February 9, 1929, at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. The Sixty-third Convention WASHINGTON, D. C., Advance information concerning the Sixty-third Convention was sent to every member in the Jan- uary number of THE OCTAGON, page 3; and in the February number, page 12 This year the Convention is approximately a month later than last year. In the spring Wash- ington is so congested with visitors, conventions, conferences, and like forms of Americana, that it is difficult to hold a satisfactory meeting in late April or early May. Of course, there is some chance of warm weather in late May, but there is equal chance of escaping a winter flare-back, of which Washington has its full share. All of these factors were considered by the Executive Committee, and dates were selected which seemed to promise a maxi- mum of comfort for the delegates, and in general a more enjoyable and deliberative meeting than ap- peared to be possible on earlier dates. This year a special effort will be made to keep the Convention program from being overloaded. The Executive Committee, at its spring meeting, held at The Octagon, on March 21, 22, and 23, blocked out a tentative program which is included herein with some hesitation, and with emphasis on the fact that there are sure to be changes. Wednesday, May 21. The President’s Address; the Report of the Board of Directors; and a Symposium on “Contemporary Architecture” (Modernism). The evening session of this day has been allo- cated to “Public Information,” which includes 2 Architecture and Architectural Ser- ; “Personal Advertising by the Architect” ; he other moot questions, about which there is much difference of opinion. William Harmon Chairman of the Committee on Public Information, will preside. The Publicist of the Institute, James Y Grady, whose work is conducted under the supervision of the Committee on Public Informa- tion, will be present and, with Mr. Beers, will en- MAY 21, 22, 23, 1930 deavor to answer questions. It is the desire of the Board to ascertain the views of the Chapters with respect to all major questions of policy and proce- dure which are involved in this subject. Thursday, May 22. Amendments to the By-laws, in the morning, If time permits there will be a free afternoon on Thursday, on which all attending the Convention may have opportunity to visit the new public build- ings now under construction in Washington, and to otherwise entertain themselves without reference to Convention business. In the evening the Committee on Education will have a special session, at which the speaker will be Leicester B. Holland, Chairman, Department of Fine Arts, University of Pennsylvania. The Fine Arts, and Craftsmanship Medals will be awarded at the conclusion of this session. Friday, May 23. This day is left open for the completion of Insti- tute business, and will really constitute a full busi- ness day. This year, the reports of the standing and special committees are addressed to the Board of Directors and not to the Convention. The Board's report will submit to the Convention the recommendations and resolutions offered by the committees. Therefore, action on the many matters coming under the jurisdiction of Institute commit- tees will be reached in the seriatim consideration of the Board's report. As at all Institute Conventions there will be ample opportunity for discussion from the floor. The Chapters are asked to bear in mind that in their respective territories they constitute The American Institute of Architects. Delegates should come to the Convention prepared to represent the views of their Chapters in acting on matters which come before the Convention, bearing in mind that the common good of the Institute, and the architec- tural profession as a whole, is the goal sought.

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4 THE OCTAGON The Dinner, Evening of May 23. The last session of the Convention will be a din- ner at the Mayflower Hotel. There will be one or more prominent speakers. The dinner will con- clude with the induction of the new President into office, and his assumption of the gavel from the re- tiring President, C. Herrick Hammond. Every delegate and member should plan to attend the dinner, at which evening dress will be desirable but not mandatory. The Visit to Fredericksburg, Saturday, May 24. This will mark an innovation in Convention pro- cedure. The Board of Directors will postpone its post-Convention meeting until Sunday, so that all of Saturday may be free for a motor trip to Fred- ericksburg, Virginia. Arrangements will be made to take all of those attending the Convention on a tour of inspection and recreation to historic Fred- ericksburg. Such a program can be carried out com- fortably in one day, permitting a return to Wash- ington in time for early evening trains. It is hoped to have open for inspection not only historic Ken- more, the home built by Col. Fielding Lewis for his bride, the sister of George Washington, but Chatham, and other buildings of historic interest, including the home of Mary, mother of Washing- ton, the Rising Sun Tavern where Lafayette was entertained, the law offices of President James Monroe, and the Hugh Mercer apothecary shop where Washington maintained a business office. An outdoor luncheon will be served at Kenmore in the middle of the day. All of those attending the Con- vention are urged to make their plans include this visit to Tidewater Virginia. Post-Convention Board Meeting, Sunday, May 25. This date has been reserved for the Board of Directors and its post-Convention meeting, at which time the new President will take active control of the administration of the Institute and its affairs. Note of Warning. It should be borne in mind that the preceding program is a sketchy outline which is not yet complete. The President, and the Secretary of the Institute, in collaboration with the Chairman of the Convention Committee, Alexander B. Trowbridge, and the President of the Washington, D. C., Chap- ter, Horace W. Peaslee, are now perfecting the de- tails of the program, which will be available in printed form at the time of registration. Nominations of Officers. A complete list of all nominations for offices, and directorships, will be published in the April num- ber of Tue Ocracon. The list will give the name and Chapter of each nominee, the position for which he is nominated, and the names of the Chapters rep- resented by his endorsers. Election of Delegates. With regard to the number of delegates to which each Chapter is entitled, to the taxes and refunds, and to reduced railroad fares, it may be stated that the Secretary has sent complete information there- on to the President, to the Secretary, and to the Treasurer of each of the sixty-five Chapters of the Institute. Chapter Secretaries are requested to send the names of the elected delegates of the Chapter to The Octagon as soon as convenient, as that will greatly expedite the work of the Registration Com- mittee. It should be borne in mind that each dele- gate should bring his Institute membership card, for presentation at the time of registration. Hotel Reservations. u The Mayflower Hotel, DeSales Street and Con- necticut Avenue Northwest, has been selected as hotel headquarters for all attending the Convention. The hotel can be reached conveniently from the Union Station by taxicab, or by taking a street car marked “Mount Pleasant” or “Alta Vista.” By special arrangement with the management of the Mayflower Hotel all Institute delegates, mem- bers, and guests, will be assured acco: ations if their reservations are made direct to the May- flower Hotel not later than May 15. Reserva- tions requested after May 15 may not be available. The Mayflower Hotel has agreed to assure ac- commodations for all of those attending the Con- vention on the following conditions: Single rooms with bath, for one person—75 rooms available at $5.00 each per day; Single rooms with bath, for one person—25 rooms available at $6.00 each per day; Double rooms, twin beds, with bath—30 rooms available at $10, $11 and $12 each per day. Allocation of rooms according to the schedule above shown will be made as fast as reservations are received, and after setting aside a proportionate number of rooms of each class for delegates from the Pacific Coast and other western states. Your reservation at the Mayflower should specifi- cally state that you are a member of The American Institute of Architects attending its Convention, should specify the type and price of room desired, and the approximate time of arrival. A confirma- tion should be requested. Special attention is called to the time limit for making reservations—May 15. Reduced Railroad Fares. Application for reduced railroad fares is pending before the Trunk Line Association. There are six divisions of territory represented in the Trunk Line Association. Several of these divisions have acted favorably on the request for reduced rates. It is expected that all of them will take such action, but that cannot be guaranteed. To make the reduced fare plan a success every person attending the Convention should request a certificate from his ticket agent at the starting

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A JOURNAL OF THE A. 5 point. Under the plan, certificates will be issued to delegates, alternates, members, and guests, and to “dependent members of their families” who are attending the Convention. If one hundred and fifty delegates, alternates, members and guests take the trouble to ask for certificates when they buy their tickets to Washing- ton, and if these certificates are filed at the Con- vention, a reduction of one-half in the return fare from Washington to point of origin will be obtain- able. This has been emphasized in communications sent to Chapter officers. Each person should bear this in mind on his own account, and should insist upon the necessary certificate, or equivalent memo- randum, at the time he purchases his reservations. The saving may not be material to those who are close to Washington, but it is a substantial item for those who come from greater distances. Therefore, nearby delegates and others are urgently requested to cooperate, in order to help secure the one hun- dred and fifty certificates which are necessary. Additional information regarding the certificate plan was incorporated in the general Convention Suaviter letter of April 15 sent to the President, to the Sec- retary, and to the Treasurer of each Chapter. All Members Specially Invited. The Conventions of the Institute are not star chamber affairs. Members who are not delegates are privileged to offer motions, present resolutions, and participate in all discussions. They may vote on questions recording the sense of the meeting. It is not only desirable to have a complete delegate representation from each Chapter, but it is desir- able to have as many members as can be present. Their attendance is sought, and they are cordially invited. The Conventions of the Institute serve many purposes, not the least of which is the main- tenance of a truly democratic form of government, and the strengthening of that spirit of good fellow- ship and mutual understanding to which the In- stitute owes its splendid national unity. Frank C. BALDWIN, Secretary. in Modo By Husert G. Rırıey O many architects, in especial the conserva- tive and cultured, Modernistic Architecture is a painful and mordant ebullition. “This is perfectly dreadful,” is their exasperated comment on seeing illustrations of certain current work in the Architectural Journals. “Can't some- thing be done about it? Have all these fine fel- lows gone crazy?” This remark represents the conservative attitude of many enlightened gentlefolk toward the Modern- istic Movement. ‘They are apt to class all building which is not traditional, conservative and closely following precedent, as “Modern,” whereas there are many types of the so-called “Modern” archi- tecture, some fresh and inspiriting like a breath of mountain air from the Canadian Rockies, heavy with the scent of fir balsam, while others are redo- lent, alas! of the fumes of bootleg gin, stale tobacco, and devious haunts. When, one bright morning, a letter came from the Editor of THe Ocracon suggesting an article on the Modernistic Movement, we became all hot and bothered. For a moment the ozone seemed gone from the crisp autumn air. A cloud stole athwart the face of the sun, and a chill wind from the gray north whispered low and menacingly with muted breath around the corner of the penthouse on the roof just above our head. “Johnny!” we cried appealingly (Johnny’s our associate and friend of long standing; we’ve weath- ered many a storm together, man and boy, through thick and thin, nigh on forty year, and we value his counsel highly), “what do we know about the Mod- ernistic Movement and the so-called Modern Archi- tecture?” “Not a damn thing!” said Johnny. “Then how can we write about it?” we replied triumphantly, thinking that would let us out. “Write about it?” said Johnny scornfully, “Write about it!” You don’t have to know your subject in order to write about it. In fact I think it’s often a handicap. Look at Kipling; he wrote a book about fishermen on the Grand Banks with- out ever having been there. Everybody thought it was great—and it was great—except to the few fishermen who read it. They knew. How many people ever read “Moby Dick” during Melville’s lifetime? A few hundred maybe, compared to the hundred thousands who read “Captains Coura- geous.” Johnny paused to roll a cigarette. Outside the faint hum of the city, punctuated now and again with the staccato explosions of the Brobdingnagian ware- house van as it slowly backed its way through the traffic into Bromfield Court with its daily cargo, drifted in between the parting bead and the pulley

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6 THE OCTAGON style. (See footnote.) Like many artists who think deeply about the problems of art and life, Johnny likes to pause and collect his ideas while twisting bits of tobacco into little brown papers. “Where were we?” said Johnny vaguely. “You don’t have to know your subject in order to write about it. Sometimes it’s a handicap,— we replied insinuatingly, hoping to gather some ideas. “Precisely,” said Johnny emphatically. He lighted his cigarette and strolled out into the draughting room where he soon became dreamy- eyed over a sketch in pastel he was making on trac- ing cloth. Johnny lets his tracing cloth soak in a pan of water over night, and in the morning while it is still damp, he stretches it over a sheet of celotex that has previously been shellacked on both sides. This allows the tracing cloth to be fastened on with strips of electrician’s tape, prevents the celotex from buckling, and at the same time gives a neat passe-partout effect. The dampened surface of the tracing cloth takes on just enough of the hairy tex- ture of the celotex to give a fine “tooth” for the pastel, and produces a finished drawing that is the despair of those draughtsmen who are unacquainted with the process. We omitted to mention that the outline of the subject to be rendered may be traced on the tracing cloth before it is put to soak, care being taken not to disturb the lines which will, in spite of all you can do, smudge slightly in the over- night bath pan. This does no harm, however, in fact it lends “atmosphere” to the sketch. While the sheet is still wet it may be pulled either to make the subject taller and thinner or broader and stouter, as if seen in a convex mirror; it may even be pulled diagonally. Johnny has produced some fine Matisse and Picasso effects in this way, and finds it very helpful in designing buildings on irregularly shaped ts. ots. We looked over Johnny’s shoulder while he worked. Johnny never uses a porte crayon, he breaks the pastel sticks up into pieces about an inch long and lays on “washes” by using the crayon flat. When he achieves a sharp edge he puts in the lines and detail with deft touches. Presently he began to talk again. “The word ‘modern,’ the Fowler Boys tell us, is derived from the low Latin ‘modernus’ or ‘modo’ (just now). The erudite profundity of those two young men is amazing; what H. W. doesn’t know about etiology, bibliolatry and the philosophy of causation, F. G. does, so the two, there is little, if anything, about the King’s English that escapes them.” “How about jazz,” we remarked, “you won't find that word in the Oxford Dictionary.” Foorxotg: While not essential to a discussion on “The Modernistic Movement,” this incident of the warehouse van illustrates our traffic problems and shows how even the commonplace events of the day leave their imprint on the character of our art. “Exactly, for jazz may not be defined and classi- fied into its derivatives as are harmony and melody and rhythm and gamut and fugue and syncopation and stave and diatesseron and tonic and diatonic and supertonic and homophony and euphony and all the other phoneys and tonics, for jazz is all these, and more. It is like the shadow of a hovering kiss on the damask cheek of a crooning babe, or the first blush of a damosel’s dream, or the pearl-tinted dew- drop as it quivers on the paper-white petal of the asphodel, or the moaning of the samiel in the mimosa canebreaks, or the wild sweep of the harmattan as it roars down the Old Calabar and beetling crags of Ashanti.” Johnny paused to light another ciga- rette. “The Modernistic Movement in Architecture is like a diapason of jazz bursting from the chrysalis of the older symmetries which the Greeks call taxis. It has infinite possibilities, amorphous, epicene, protean, aberrant, wanton, egregious, not to say bizarre, exotic and Cyclopean.' “You must have been reading Roget,” jected. “I have,” replied Johnny, “and it’s relieved my mind a whole lot since I saw a certain number of The Architectural Forum. Some of the categories, especially those on Abstract Relations and Pre- cursory Conditions, are soothing to the soul.” “How about leaving off the cornice? Does that constitute Modern Architecture ?” “Yes and no,” said Johnny, blowing a fat smoke ring which bore a striking resemblance to the abacus on the Treasure House of Atreus, son of Pelops and Hippodamia. “I must learn to blow modernistic smoke rings, or be completely out-moded. They say that’s how Urban gets some of his swell ideas,” Johnny mut- tered. “The omission of cornices now,” he went on, “is not exactly a new idea. The Egyptians didn’t seem to find them essential. Look at the Pyramids, nothing to show where the building ends and the sky begins. Even the restorations of Perrot and Chipiez show little in the way of cornices. The Chaldees and the Druids and in fact all early peo- ples depended on wall decoration rather than mould- ings for architectural effect. Look at George Howe's lovely Tyler house in Elkins Park, Phila- delphia. There's nothing new in the omission of the cornice. The Dorians left off the bases on their columns. The omission of the capital which is the cornice of a pillar, is less frequent, and it is in this feature that the ‘moderns,’ who show nothing from the necking up, have gone a step beyond their predecessors, or maybe it’s a step backward, who can tell? After all, we are but little children who, tiring of the toys the old folks have handed down to us—toys that have been resurrected from up garret, encrusted with the dust of bygone years— have cast them aside, and in the first flush of our we inter-

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A JOURNAL OF THE A. pulsating youth, attempted to build new ones in accord with our dawning complexes. The first attempts naturally enough are crude, but being our very own, we are inordinately proud of their origi- nality (sic). This is to be expected and follows the law of evolution. We should be tolerant of the tender cotyledons and protect them from the stirqui- linous larvae that threaten the existence of the New Movement, but at the same time we should not neglect the fine burgeoning and flowering that still shed romance and beauty on the enchanted gardens of the past. “] shall never forget the first view of Giotto's glorious Campanile. The photographs, with which one has been familiar since kindergarten days, show a cold, hard, black-and-white striped square tower whose "outline seems anything but graceful, whereas in reality, the soft haze of a frosty Florentine morn- ing, with the mists of the Arno mingling with the heavenly blue of the sky, the infinite gradation of pink and green, violet and rose marbles, opalescent whites and warm pearly grays, combined with the exquisite tracery and imbricated mosaics, the whole relieved by a pushcart or two piled high with bril- liant tangerines and a few picturesque urchins at the base, form a picture, the memory of which even the most marvelous creations of the ‘Moderns’ can- not dispel.” The draughting room was singularly quiet. At first we thought everybody was listening intently to Johnny’s words, letting them soak in, as it were, . As 7 until we glanced around and saw the place was deserted. They d all gone to lunch. “Well,” said Johnny, musingly, “I saw a design for a bungalow i in The Architectural Record. It was in Albuquerque or Santa Clara, or maybe it was on the roof of a sixty-story office building. For all the world it looked exactly like my old bureau with the drawers pulled out, some more than others. It bore more resemblance to a problem in Descrip- tive Geometry, or a pile of empty crates in the yard behind Ed Weatherbee’s corner grocery, than to a love nest. That was a most striking example of the Modernistic Movement. “Modern Architecture may be evaluated by the application of the same standards by which the Old was judged. Intuition or a cultivated taste are essential for the full appreciation of the harmonies of Karnac, the Acropolis and Rheims. It may be that the New simply astonishes by its seeming crude- ness without evoking aesthetic emotion, whereas thoughtful analysis and the application of the laws of taxis and symmetry will dissolve preconceived intolerances and inherent prejudices. Both the Critic and the Artist must discard the notion that only so-called existing values are absolute. “The dead hand of the past lies heavy on us all.’ The possibilties of Art are infinite and by the exercise of a scholarly degree of pragmatism we may be sow- ing the seeds of a richer and more complex culture of the future. It seems a far cry from Corregio to Covarrubias; let’s go to lunch!” The Fourth Pan-American Congress of Architects A Call for Delegates In the November number of Tuer OCTAGON advance information was published concerning the Fourth Pan-American Congress of Architects, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 19 to 30, inclusive. The Institute would like very much to send dele- gates to this Congress. It has no appropriation to pay their expenses, but it can do much directly, through the cooperation of the State Department and the Pan-American Union, to make the journey to South America a memorable one. e arrangements for participation in the Con- gress by Institute representatives are under the gen- eral direction of Kenneth M. Murchison, New York, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr. Murchison, who headed the American dele- gation to the Congress in 1927, would be glad to hear from any members of the Institute who might consider making the trip to Rio de Janeiro. The dates of the Congress, and the International Exhibition, are from the 19th to the 30th of June, inclusive. Attendance at this Congress offers opportunity for service to the Institute, to the whole architec- tural profession in the United States, and to our South American confreres. It is understood that very favorable steamer — are to be available. Undoubtedly, special passpo and letters of credit will be obtainable from the State Department—all of which should smooth the way and make the journey a pleasant one. Why not go to South America this year instead of to Europe? Send your acceptance direct to Mr. Murchison.

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The Structural Service Department Announcing 1930 Editions The Standard Filing System, Document No. 172 The Alphabetical Index, Document No. 172-A The Standard Filing System and Alphabetical Index (Bound together), Document No. 172-B The Board of Directors of the Institute, in 1920, instructed the Structural Service Department to prepare a Standard Filing System for manufac- turers’ catalogs and advertising matter. A survey was made of the systems then in general use in architects’ offices. Based on the findings of this survey a Standard Filing System was prepared, was approved by the Board of Directors in 1921, and copies sent to all Institute members. For several years following the publication of the Standard Filing System comparatively few archi- tects adopted the system, and comparatively few manufacturers printed the file numbers on their catalogs and advertising matter. There was no compelling argument that could be made for install- ing the system because practically no manufacturers were printing the new A. I. A. file numbers on their catalogs. There was no compelling argument that could be made with the manufacturers for printing the file numbers on their advertising because prac- tically no architects were filing according to the system. Progress was slow, but the architectural maga- zines, and many of the trade journals, actively co- operated with the Structural Service Department in promoting the use of the system. They gave it publicity and advocated the printing of the file num- ber on all advertising matter intended to be pre- served. Gradually, more and more manufacturers premarked their advertising matter for filing, and more and more architects adopted the Standard Filing System. the system came into more general use the Structural Service Department received many valu- able suggestions for its improvement, and many of these suggestions were incorporated in new editions. In 1928 the Electrical Industry became interested in the growing success of the A. I. A. Standard Filing System, and appointed a committee to pre- pare a similar filing system for the Electrical In- dustry. The Structural Service Department estab- lished a contact with that committee, and after ex- tended consideration it was agreed that there were many serious objections to having two filing sys- tems, which would overlap in many items. A joint committee, representing the Electrical Industry and the Structural Service Department revised and ex- tended the major division on electrical work in the Institute document, so as to provide for the needs of both the architectural profession and the electrical industry. The new section as incorporated in the Standard Filing System has been adopted by the Association of Electragists, International, and en- dorsed by the National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association. From a recent survey made by a disinterested agency it appears that today at least two-thirds of the architects’ offices in the United States have adopted the Standard Filing System. There are no reliable figures as to the use of the system by others than architects. However, several thousand copies of the Standard Filing System have been dis- tributed to members of the electrical industry, in addition to those sent to engineers, contractors, and builders. The document has been sent to architects and others in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is difficult to estimate the number of manu- facturers who premark their advertising material for filing. From the material received by the Struc- tural Service Department it would appear to be the exception that worth-while catalogs, and other ad- vertising matter, of real reference value are not marked with the standard file number. There is, however, a class of advertising that is purely pro- motional in character and issued to serve a tem- porary purpose. It is not intended or desirable that this class of advertising bear the file number. Although the printing of the file number on cata- logs and other documents made filing simple and easy, difficulty was sometimes experienced in finding the material after it had been filed. To meet this situation and to further increase the usefulness of the Filing System, the Board of Directors, in 1929, instructed the Structural Service Department to pre- pare an Alphabetical Index of the file. This was done, and the Index is now in general circulation. The preparation of an alphabetical index having been completed, and the general adoption of the A. I. A. Standard Filing System having been ac- complished, the Structural Service Department has turned over to the Secretary's Office of the Institute the general distribution and handling of three docu- ments relating to the filing system. The Structural Service Department will, however, continue to act in making needed revisions of the Filing System documents, and in answering inquiries relating to file numbers. In accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors at its November, 1929, meeting, the Sec- retary's Office of the Institute is prepared to fur-

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A JOURNAL OF nish, upon request, the following documents relat- ing to the Standard Filing System: The Standard Filing System— Document No. 172, Edition, 1930, Price 50 cents. The Alphabetical Index to the Filing System— mm A. Te AE» 9 Document No. 172-A, Edition, 1930, Price 50 cents. The Standard Filing System, and the Index— Document No. 172-B, Edition, 1930, Bound in one volume, Price $1.00. Regional Meetings— Visits of Directors Regional Meetings: Great Lakes Division: The Director of this division, Frederick W. Garber, of Cincinnati, has sent a preliminary report of the meeting of the division held in Cleveland on March 28 and 29. The Chapters in this division are Central Illinois, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indiana, Kentucky, Toledo, and the new Eastern Ohio Chapter. The subjects considered were as follows: Chapter Activities; Membership Increase; Archi- tects’ Small House Service Bureau; Public Informa- tion and Advertising; the Administration and Library Building; and Architectural Practice. The conference was a most successful one in every respect. Its recommendations will be made available to the Board of Directors, at the May meeting, by Mr. Garber. New England Division: The Director of this division, Charles D. Maginnis, of Boston, has sub- mitted an extensive transcript covering the confer- ence of the New England Division, held in Boston on February 4. The three Chapters of the divi- sion, namely, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Bos- ton, were well represented. There were five mem- bers from Connecticut, seven from Rhode Island, and sixteen from Boston at the opening session. At the later sessions, many other members of the Bos- ton Chapter were present. Matters discussed, of interest to the division and to the Institute were: Public Information ; Member- ship Increase; Registration of Architects; Honor Awards; and the Relation of the Architects’ Small House Service Bureau to Cooperative Banks. The time of the meeting was fairly allocated to each of these items. Many differing opinions were expressed, which will be transmitted by Director Maginnis to the Board of Directors of the Institute, at the May meeting. New York Division. The Director of this divi- sion, Charles Butler, of New York, reports a con- ference of the New York Division in Albany on February 18. The following subjects were con- sidered : The Creation of a Fine Arts Commission in the Executive Department of the State Government; The Re-establishment of the State Department of Architecture as a Separate Department; Proposed Amendments Affecting the Registration of Archi- tects. Visits of Regional Directors: Alabama Chapter. The Director of the South Atlantic Division, William H. Lord, met with the Alabama Chapter at its November meeting. He discussed Institute affairs with the Chapter, and introduced the Field Secretary, William M. Mc- Intosh. Kansas City Chapter. The Director of the Cen- tral States Division, Louis LaBeaume, visited the Kansas City Chapter, at its February meeting, at which time President Hammond and First Vice- President Hewlett were entertained. At the din- ner which followed there were addresses by Presi- dent Hammond, and by Vice-President Hewlett. Director LaBeaume presented the Honor Awards of the Chapter on behalf of its Jury of Honor Awards. New Jersey Chapter. The Director of the Mid- dle Atlantic Division, Charles T. Ingham, met with the New Jersey Chapter at its February meet- ing. The discussions covered many subjects of con- cern to the Institute as a national society, and to the Chapter. It was the sentiment of some of the members that the Institute should do more than it is doing to make membership in it of greater prac- tical benefit to the individual. Scranton-W ilkes-Barre Chapter. Director Ing- ham also met with the Scranton- Wilkes-Barre Chap- ter at its March meeting. He outlined the general work of the Institute, and answered questions re- lating thereto. He also took part in the delibera- tions of the Chapter with respect to local and state matters, notably registration law violations, public information, and the Federal building program.

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With the Chapters Airports: Alabama Chapter. The Chapter has appointed a committee to confer with the City Commissioners of Birmingham, and to cooperate in the development of the proposed airport and viaduct to be built in the Birmingham district. Pittsburgh Chapter. ‘The annual report of the President of the Pittsburgh Chapter, James M. Macqueen, records a year of substantial accomplish- ment by the Chapter, and by individual members. One of the most gratifying items relates to the Pittsburgh-Butler Airport, designed by Raymond M. Marlier, A. I. A. In commenting on this proj- ect Mr. Macqueen said, “We can sense the prac- tical character of the architect’s ever-broadening training and experience, for the designer of this airport has his ‘wings’ as a flier in the service of the United States, and could come to the solution of this problem with the most intimate knowledge of the requirements.” Branch Chapters—Nebraska Chapter: At the February meeting there was discussion of the possible advantages of branch chapters in Ne- braska. A suggestion was made that two or more branch chapters be established in the state, each under the guidance of a Vice-President. These branches could hold monthly meetings in their re- spective localities, and perhaps quarterly meetings with the parent chapter. A special committee was appointed to investigate and report to the Chapter. Building Financing—Chicago Chapter: The Executive Committee of the Chapter, on the request of banking interests, has authorized the President to appoint representatives to meet with the Chicago Mortgage Bankers Association, and the Chicago Real Estate Board, to work out con- structive plans for improving the procedure for financing building operations. Ceramics—Chicago Chapter: The April meeting was devoted to the subject of Ceramics. The speakers were B. Mifflin Hood, Past-President of the American Ceramic Society, and Professor Rexford Newcomb, of the University of Illinois. ‘There were other speakers who dis- cussed developments in terra cotta and tile. The meeting was held at the Architects’ Club, and How- ard L. Cheney, President of the Chapter, was toast- master. Chapter Programs—Santa Barbara Chapter: At the February meeting, the President, Russell Ray, summarized the work of the Chapter during his term. Subjects which were featured or spon- sored at various meetings were: The and Development of the English Cottage—lecture by William M. Clarke; Protection of Wood Struc- tures from Termites; Exhibition of Designs, Na- tional Better Homes Competition; Exhibition of 10 Designs, the Monolith Portland Cement Company’s competition; and the Washington Film—shown at the University Club, at the Santa Barbara School of the Arts, and at the Santa Barbara High School. Civic Affairs—Cincinnati Chapter: The retiring President of the Cincinnati Chapter, Charles F. Cellarius, in an able report presented to the Chapter at its January meeting, stressed the importance of participation in civic affairs. The President, and the Executive Committee of the Chapter, were of the opinion that if the architects are to attain a leading position in the civic groups of the community, the members of the Chapter must devote more of their time as individuals, and as a group, to the public problems of the city, and must hold themselves in readiness to serve on committees dealing with civic affairs. Craftsmanship Awards—Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Chapter: The Chapter has adopted a Craftsmanship Award plan, and entrusted to a special committee the development of procedure which will care for all of the details connected with the making of the awards. Education: Georgia Chapter. Professor G. H. Edgell, Dean of the School of Architecture, Harvard University, was the guest of honor at a dinner meeting of the Georgia Chapter. His address was a discussion of some of the problems of architectural education, and of the progress of modern design. The Chap- ter expressed its cordial thanks to Dean Edgell for his interesting and inspiring address. Rhode Island Chapter. The Chapter has made its usual appropriation of $150 for the annual School of Design prize, to be competed for by the senior class at the Rhode Island School of Design. Honor Awards: Chicago Chapter. On the recommendation of the Chapter’s committee on Honor Awards, Pierre Blouke, Chairman, the Chapter has adopted in full the recommendations and program of the Institute’s Committee on Honor Awards. This adds another Chapter to the increasing list 7 those making Honor Awards under the Institute plan. Minnesota Chapter. The Honor Awards of this Chapter were presented by the President, William G. Dorr, at the January meeting. Harvey Wiley Corbett, of the New York Chapter, was the guest of honor and principal speaker. Illumination As an Architectural Problem—Chicago The March meeting was devoted to the subject of “Elements of Artistic Illumination.” The meet- ing was preceded by a dinner, at which there were one hundred and five members and guests. The guests included ten executives representing indus-

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A JOURNAL OF THE A. 1. A 11 tries engaged in or especially interested in illumina- tion; and faculty members from nine universities and colleges in the central states. dresses were made by well-informed speakers, in which the col- laboration of the architect and the illuminating en- gineer was Membership Increase Kansas Chapter: At the February meeting a gratifying increase in the Institute membership of the Chapter was re- ported. Counting applications on hand this increase amounted to thirty-three percent. Modernistic Architecture— Washington State Chapter: The March meeting of the Washington State Chapter concluded with a free-for-all discussion of “Modernistic Architecture.” The opening pro- nouncement was by Arthur P. Herrmann, and a fit- ting conclusion was the dramatic effort of George Gove, who appeared in the role of author, stage manager, and cast in a stirring one-act melodrama, depicting the conflict between the old and the new. Outdoor Advertising—Philadelphia Chapter: The Committee on Municipal Improvement has been requested by the Executive Committee of the Chapter to consider the whole subject of outdoor advertising—an issue which was called to the atten- tion of all of the Chapters in the December number of Tur OCTAGON. Public Information: Central New York Chapter. The Chapter has considered the activity of the Rochester Society of Architects, which has.a contract with the local newspapers for advertising. Samples of the adver- tisements were shown. The statement was made that the newspapers were giving the architects four or five times as much space for reading matter as the space paid for. The Chapter’s delegates to the Convention were * 1 ſavor = adoption of programs of this kind by Institute Chapters. | 90 Chapter. The Committee on Public In- formation, the Kansas Chapter, Paul Wiegel, Chairman, has extended its congratulations and thanks to the Philadelphia Chapter for making available to it the exhibition of drawings and photo- graphs of executed work of architects of Phila- delphia. The Committee commented upon the ex- tended itinerary of the exhibition, and the value to be derived in bringing the work of the architect into close contact with the public. 4 Kansas City Chapter. The Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, Courtlandt Van Brunt, reported at the February meeting on the work done by his committee in obtaining space in the Kansas City Star, in which extensive publicity was given to architecture and related subjects. a Nebraska Chapter. The Committee on Publicity of the Nebraska 73 L. Steele, bie: = man, reported at the February meeting con the publicity work which it has carried on. The re- port concluded with the following paragraph: There are plenty of methods for gaining publicity after the manner of the advertising fraternity. Not all of them are unworthy of our attention, but they all cost money; and money is scarce in our coffers. We look forward to better times with the hope that our joint aim and effort may be to re-educate ourselves to the changed conditions as they relate to our professional ideals. We sympathize with the desire, so often expressed, that the public be educated to better and more adequate knowl- edge of architecture. We submit, however, that the public is less keen on the subject than we are. The public is chasing the dollars (and so are we all) and in the zest of that pursuit scant time is left for education. We sug- gest that some study be given to a method of approach that will not rebuke nor admonish, but that will not ac- cuse our thin-skinned clientele of ignorance, but that will invite them with whole-hearted earnestness to join us in appreciation of the things that we love. If we ourselves are not in love with the fascinating Mistress of the Arts, to whom we give lip-service, then our case is sad indeed. Santa Barbara Chapter. The Chapter has dis- cussed the question of participating in paid local publicity through the medium of local newspapers. It did not take final action, and decision was left for future action. (This is one of the “public relations” subjects to be considered at the Insti- tute Convention.) Registration Laws: Kansas Chapter. Registration is receiving the attention of the Kansas Chapter. A representative has been appointed to consult with other interests in the state in connection with the proposed develop- ment of a registration or license law. New York Chapters. The various Chapters in New York are keenly interested in proposed amend- ments to the New York registration law for engi- neers which, if enacted, may permit any registered engineer to design all types of buildings. The situ- ation was considered at the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the Institute. The Com- mittee, by resolution, expressed its opinion to the effect that if in any state definite requirements have been established which must be met before an in- dividual can be registered, and admitted to the practice of architecture, no authorization to practice architecture should be accorded to anyone who can- not meet those requirements. Philadelphia Chapter. The Chapter has pledged $1,000 to the movement now under way among Pennsylvania Chapters to aid in the prosecution of architects in Pennsylvania who are practicing ille- gally in violation of the registration law of the state. Scranton-W ilkes-Barre Chapter. The Chapter has considered the enforcement of the architects’ registration law in Pennsylvania, and injuries to the building public which may arise from non-enforce- ment of the law. It took action approving the em- ployment of an attorney to prosecute those practicing architecture illegally in the state, and directed that necessary steps be taken to secure evidence for the prosecution of such cases.

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