Reduced to simple terms, this action on the part of the convention practically removes the ban on advertising, and permits architects to place their services before the public in such proper manner as their education and a due regard for their professional dignity might suggest. While no steps were taken to replace the discarded canon with one declaring for advertising, by accepting the report of the committee the Institute goes on record as favoring advertising by its members. This report says in part:
“Is there any valid reason why, in this age of democratic endeavor, the American Institute of Architects should cling to this or any other relic? Is it not time that we consider carefully, not only the abolition of the canon on advertising, but how many more of the old worn-out rules, undemocratic distinctions and un-American assumptions we can get rid of it?’’
It pointed out that by elevating the dignity of advertising in their code of ethics the worst feature to be anticipated would be “advertising too generally, prompted by honest, if stupid reasoning—a result not without advantages, for in more general use of the harmless sort, the vicious sort would lose its effectiveness, due to the comparative isolation it now enjoys because of the sweeping restrictions in our canon.”
The closing exercise of the convention was the annual dinner, held in the house of the Germantown Cricket Club, Manheim, Germantown.
The usual formalities of previous occasions were dispensed with and the dinner early assumed a “gettogether” aspect that will probably, by reason of its thoroughly enjoyable nature, largely influence future convention dinners.
The speakers were drafted from that large and patriotic body of men who have unselfishly ignored
their personal interests to devote their time and fine ability to the aid of the Government.
Colonel Starrett, chief of the Construction Division of the National Council of Defense, described the large volume of work that had been done and yet remained to be done in the department of construction. He stated that, except in the matter of industrial housing, everything under the deparrment’s administration was either well under way or completed, and that the housing problem was rapidly being brought into good shape. He concluded with the statement that in the cantonments now completed and in use, or those soon ready for occupancy, there could be trained each year three million men; and that an army of ten million fighting troops could be cared for without difficulty or confusion.
Mr. Albert Kahn of Detroit, Mich., who has been largely and successfully connected with the construction department of the Aviation and Signal Corps, told the guests how the work had been carried forward. During the course of his address he found opportunity to refer to present conditions as affecting the practice of architecture, and to state what, in his opinion, was necessary for architects to do to insure the retention of the high place they have held in the past.
The usual features of good comradeship were everywhere present on this closing feature of the convention.
It is yet too early to forecast just what good results will accrue from this annual meeting in Philadelphia. Undoubtedly every man who attended the convention has returned to his home thoroughly convinced that there is much work to be done and that if the high aims outlined during the debates throughout the various sessions are to be realized, there must be a very practical and sober-minded action on the part of everyone.