much exceed a hundred delegates. It was early apparent, however, that the reduction in representation was not followed by a reduction in serious effort. It may be stated safely that at no previous convention was the general sentiment of grave responsibility better realized, and at no time has there been made a more serious effort to seek a remedy for a most grave condition.
In fact, at the very outset, these conditions were squarely placed before the convention in the admirable address of President Mauran, printed in full on another page of this issue.
The convention was addressed by Mr. Frank Miles Day, representing the Philadelphia Chapter of the Institute, welcoming the delegates, and outlining a program for their entertainment. The routine of the convention on this day, as on the succeeding ones, was carried forward strictly in accordance with this well-prepared program.
The report of the Board of Directors and the treasurer s report were presented. These will be found summarized on another page, as will also the essentials of the various other reports that consumed the forenoon session of the first day.
The efforts of President Mauran and Messrs. Fenner, Pope and Glenn Brown toward the restoration of the Octagon, as set forth in the report of the Building Committee, were formally acknowledged by the convention in a resolution of thanks that was passed by acclamation, after a series of short talks that expressed the gratitude of the delegates for the generous contribution of money and professional services that have secured the safety of this historic building.
A resolution of thanks to the officers and Board of Directors for their services during the past year was presented and passed with acclamation.
During the brief discussion of the report of the Committee on Competitions, reference was made to certain minor changes that it was believed were necessary, and the Board of Directors was empowered to make these.
In the afternoon the delegates, divided into groups, were guests of groups of members of the Philadelphia Chapter, and were taken on automobile rides to the many points of architectural interest in Philadelphia and suburbs, being entertained at various country clubs for an early dinner, all to meet at the T-Square Club s rooms at 8.30 for the joint meeting of the Registration-Education Committee. This meeting was presided over by Mr. Wm. P. Bannister, the chairman of the Committee on Registration Laws.
Second Day
A proposed amendment to the By-Laws, permitting the present officers to hold office for the
coming year, was presented and debated at considerable length. Upon a vote, twenty-three delegates were found to be opposed and twenty-six in favor of the amendment. As there was not the necessary two-thirds vote in approval, the amendment was declared lost. Thereupon the nomination of officers became in order, and the following ticket was submitted:
For President—Thomas R. Kimball of Omaha. For First Vice-President—C. B. Favrot of New Orleans; Grant La Farge, New York.
For Second Vice-President—George S. Mills, Toledo; W. R. B. Wilcox, Seattle.
For Secretary—William Stanley Parker, Boston. Treasurer—D. Everett Waid, New York.
Directors—E. H. Donn, Jr., Washington, D. C.; Robert D. Kohn, New York; Ellis F. Lawrence, Portland, Ore.; Edwin S. Gordon, Rochester; Richard E. Schmidt, Chicago.
The afternoon session on the second day was taken up by a series of papers which constituted, in a sense, a discussion of the architect’s service. These papers and their authors were as follows:
“The Architect After the War,’’ by Milton B. Medary, Jr.
“The Architect as an Administrator,” by R. Clipston Sturgis.
“The Architect in Civic Life,” by Elmer C. Jensen.
“The Building Situation, Past, Present and Future,” by E. J. Russell.
As far as is permitted these will be printed in subsequent issues of The American Architect.
The consideration of these papers having taken the time of the convention up to five o’clock, the meeting was adjourned.
The committee of the Philadelphia Chapter on Preservation of Historic Monuments then became the hosts of the delegates at Independence Hall, and the group of Colonial Federal Buildings, the restoration of which the committee has had in charge, for the City of Philadelphia. An exhibition of drawings of this work was displayed and an address made descriptive of the relations of the Chapter to the municipal government.
This occasion and the admirable work of the Philadelphia Chapter in the conservation of a group of buildings which the City of Philadelphia has “held in trust for all of the people of the United States,” called for the most enthusiastic approval on the part of the delegates. While all were more or less acquainted with these buildings from their repeated illustration and description, many had never actually visited them. To that group the afternoon s experience was one of the most complete enjoyment. Just here it may be well to make some special reference to the delightful qualities as hosts shown by mem