Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-28

Lie BUILDINGS. CENTRALLY LOCATED, AND AN
AVENUE TO MOUNT VERNON.
Gen. Boynton in Cincinnati Gazette
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25-The preparations for
the Inauguration are again emphasizing one
of the greatest lacks of Washington as a capt.
tai, namely, spacious assembly hall. As the
case now stands about one thousand. as the
extreme limit, can witness the interesting and
impressive ceremonies in the Senate chamber.
and the majority of these are from the families
OF those in public life. Here the three CO.
ordinate branches of the government assemble
in full representation-the Senate, the House
of Representatives, the new President and
Vice-President, the cabinet officers, the assist
ant secretaries and bureau officers, the leading
officers Of the army and of the navy in uniform.
the Justices of the Supreme Court in robes.
and the other U. 5. judges of the courts of the
District. The resident ministers of all foreign
nations also attend in full court dress. But
the general public has no chance of admission.
While the citizens of Washington are accus-
toned to spectacles which call these officials
together, to the great cOncourse of visitors
from all sections which crowds the capital on
such occasions the sight is one of absorbing
interest. There should be some public pro-
vision in the interest of the nations visitors
which would allow above five hundred of the
more than one hundred thousand who come to
of the ceremonies.
The great spectacle in front of the central
portco, where the President delivers his
inaugural and takes the oath of Office. is open
to the view of the thousands if the weather
permits. In the case of rain or snow, this part
of the ceremony is also conducted in the Senate
chamber.
What is wanted, therefore is an immense
assembly hail. where at least ten thousand
people could look down on the ceremonies. At
each IDaupuratiOD Dpri0d this war
is more severely felt, since the throng of WIS.,
itors is only limited by the growing
capacity of the city to take care of them.
The government should erect such a hall.
There are many public occasions besides the
Inauguration, and the following evening re-
ception. when it is needed. There are various
events which call the two Houses of Congress
in joint session-state funerals and memorial
occasions of various kinds. The present halls
admit so small number as to practically ex-
clude everybody. Such a building is also
needed to meet the demands of conventions of
bodies representing variety of public inter-
ests which now crowd Washington every year.
All sections and interests of the land are repre-
sented in them.
There would be no difficulty in framing regu-
lations by which public building of the kind
under consideration could be used for such
general purposes.
structed i'll connection with hall of records.
which is now demanded by every public con-
sideration. The additional cost of a great as
sembl y-room, with retiring halls sufficient for
the temporary assembling of the two houses Of
Congress preparatory TO any JOINT ceremonial.
would be very small if constructed in coanec-
ton with surrounding halls of record. Such
building could also be suitably arranged for
the public receptions of the President. These,
owing to the limited room at the White House.
are now most uncomfortable jams, and alto
gether unsatisfactory occasions
But II Is unnecessary to more than call atten-
ton to the need OF such building. to suggest
the official and public uses for which it would
be Immediately required. Every public man
will understand the subject at glance. Such
an assembly-hall. in connection with hall of
records, Is one of the national needs of Wash
ington as a capital.
More Land Needed.
A second need OF the government. which the
foregoing considerations suggest. is land with
in the central portions of the city. accessible to
the capitol and the present departments upon
which the additional public buildings which
may De needed shall be erected The demand
for these is even now pressing one. Nothing
gives clearer idea of the steady and wonder
full growth or the nation than the rapiditv with
which Its new business crowds the great
department buildings. The new State, War
and Navy building Is good illustration. 1t is
by common consent the finest and most COM
mOdiOus building used for government pur-
poses by any nation III the world. and. although
1t has been fully occupied for less than a year
by the departments now assigned to it. it is al
ready uncOmfortably crowded and the corri-
doris are already gradually filling with book
shelves and racks for papers.
All the main departments now rent largely
outside of the government buildings. At pres
ent, no sooner does the question of a site arise
for some building which the pressing necessi-
ties of the government demand. than the pro-
position Is made to put it in some of the public
parks. The Senate Is now attempting to locate
a city pOst-offce, which is sorely needed in
Judiciary square. That spacious park was
nearly ruined a few years ago by squattng the
uasightly brick pile OF the pension Office upon
1t. To take space for the proposed post-office
would completely destroy what is left of it as a
park. Such legislation is not only an imposi-
ton upon citizens of Washington, but a most
damaging blow to its beauties as a national
capital.
What Is wanted, in the pecuniary interest of
the government alone, to say nothing of the
question of identifying the capital, or the con-
yenience of location for the various new public
buildings already needed, is the condemnation
and purchase of all the land south of Pennsyl-
wanna avenue, at least between the botanical
gardens and 9Th street, and back to the Smith
sonian grounds; and better and wiser still. as
mere matter of economy for the near future,
through TO 18th street. Then let the new gov
eminent buildings, which the growth of the
nations business will hereafter call for at
shorter and shorter intervals, be located on
tnls purchase NO SITES could be more con-
yenient for the capitol and the buildings nov
established. Under condemnation, and at
present values. this tract could be acquired at
rates which would within two decades save the
government more than the original purchase
money. The part which such a move by the
government would play in contributing to the
future magnifcence of its capital needs no
suggestions to bring it before the mind
A National Park.
third improvement, which is national as
well as local in its character, and which merits
attention now while the framework of those
improvements is being laid which will make
possible such a capital the nation should
have-this is the pending project of suitable
national park. The specializing syndicates are
rapidly fastening upon all areas near the city
which are available for such purpose. Look
ing TO the national character of the city and
the adornments which belong to all modern
capitals. here Is want of our own which should
De supphed- The broken valley of Rock creek
entering the city between Washington and
Georgetown. affords a region which can be
condemned at reasonable rates, and which il
acquired, would complete the park facilities
OF the capital The arguments for il will be
fully understood by all who know Washington
For this reason the project has cordial and gem
eral support in Congress, and has excellent
chances for adoption at the present session. III
IL is carried through il will be something 10
remember the Fiftieth Congress for in all com
ing years