Evening star., 1886-11-24
CITY AND DISTRICT.
The New National Museum Building.
PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE IN XAsHINGToN.

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE IN WASHINGTON.
10 the Editor of The EvENINa STAR:
The Smithsonian Institution building is one
OF the few public structures in this capital
"hlch men of taste in architecture can point
out TO strangers with pride and satisfaction.
AS IL stood prior TO the erection of the national
museum the beauty of the Smithsonian was in
creased by the harmony of its surroundings,
out now as it is approached from the east or
the north the incongruous edifices near it in
that direction cannot but give to persons of
TASTE the most painful emotions.
The ruinOus work has not as vet. however.
peen completed, for, from 10Th street or from B
street southeast, between 11th and 10Th, a fine
view can still be had of the Smithsonian. by
taxing care to keep the museum building out of
tne eye OF the observer. But, horrible to tell!
even th1e view is likely soon to be DESTROYED by
lne erection of an unsightly building for the
| museum west of the smithsonian, where no
sort OF structure can be erected without in
terterlng with the fine view now to be had of
tne smithsonian, much less anything SO in-
congruous as duplicate of the National mu-
scum building would be. AS this government
Ss to the OF
unjust as to render the building erected by his
bounty a source of pain and agony to all lovers
slightly edifices
More room is unquestionably needed by the
Nati0nal museum, but 1t is respectfully submit
treasury, is able to buy the land it needs for its
uses without crowding the parks, with public
consdag nngs on account Of so,cailed economical
ultimately need more buildings than can posi-
Dly De accommodated in the park without ut
terly destroying it. Why, then, should not
lahd De purchased In the adjoining squares or
elsewhere tor the buildings? The matter is as
broad as 1t is long If the parks are taken for
puDilc buildings now, land will hereafter have
TO be purchased for parks, at largely increased
prices. AT low estimate ten or twelve new
Duiidlngs will be required by the government
before tne end of this century. How can space
Oe Iound tor these without cOndemning squares
TACT would it not be well for the National mu-
scum authorities to abandon the plan OF build
ing In the park, and seek for the accOnmoda-
lions they need in some of the adjoining
| squares?
The talk of another museum building is a
matter ot grave concern to all who have the
DeSt interests OF Washington at heart. The
present museum building is scarcely tOlerable,
Whlle The pension office Is one of the worst eX-
amp ot bad taste in public architecture which
mas ever dlSgraced a civilized country. a few
| more such buildings would intolerably annoy
all persons OF good taste and tend to drive
them rom the national capital in despair The
Dest interests OF this city demand that efficient
measures should be taken to guard against the
repe: :lton OF any more such blunderS as the
pension office building and TO prevent the vir-
tual destruction of our beautiful parks by fill
ing them with public edif1ceS.
Ihe taste of the people OIL Washington and of
| the country at large is too lar advanced to be
siltisned with some OF the recent specimens OF
| publlc architecture in this capital. There are
capable of suitably emtmllshng Washington
by tasteful public buildings. What is it except
q narrow aud niggardly policy which shuts
them out from the line opportunities they
ought to have here of gaining immortal re-
nown by designs worthy Of such city as this
| ought be9