I have a strong recollection that, about 1908, the socially-prominent
architect J. Stewart Barney was asked by the head of the Vestry at Grace
Church to design an alteration.  This he did, but there was some in-house
falling out, and construction didn't proceed.  The vestry successfully won in
court over Barney's bill, on the basis that he hadn't received authorization
from the vestry, which was the only agent competent to undertake such work.

Walter Melvin, watch out!

Chriftopher Gray