Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-19

o. becoming more beautiful than any capital
the world he's ever seen
Such an art commission 40 Mr. wanamaker
proposes 10 not an unheard-of idea even In our
present American politics. A commission SINH
Sssn IN ~ general pnTpS.s not IN scope ha.
two appointed by the government Of Massachu-
setta The Institute Of American Architects is
exerting its influence 10 have the architecture
Of our o. S. buildings throughout the country
represent q wider range Of design than what a
single architects once can furnish.
THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY ooxnrrrErs
have long been charged With responsibility
that ought certainly no longer b treated - Q
mere appendage to duties Of an entirely differ
emit character and which is far too significant
TO be sighted In this manner.
Those Of our people all over the land who
have long been waiting for some measures 10
redeem our capital from the vandalism or
Philistinism which has long threatened it and
sun disngures it in so many ways would feel a
new nc. commence In the knowledge that such an
art commission were in existence and was be-
yond the disturbing effects Of yearly or quad
rennial political changes. Tho sight Of sky
scrnping ware houses. exposing for every thirty
or forty feet Of ornamental front some hum
dreds Of feet of bare side walls, hideous with
giarlng advertisements, not to speak Of the
hodge podge" Of public buildings mentioned
by the honorable secretary, all this can be en-
dured with better feeling by those who love
Washington and have some pride as American
citizens when it is known that commission
exists with power not only to provide that the
buildings put up by the government shall oc-
cuPy the sites best suited to them
and to the advancement Of the beauty of
the capital as a whole, but also to prevent
In the future the erection in a conspicuous
monious and unworthy. With such commits
sion In charge We might look hopefully
Forward to seeing not many years hence the
avenue graced on either side with beautiful
eoionnades and arcades lining the front of our
new District buildings. public library, mu-
geological survey and musical and art conserve
tories and possibly the governments own Ma
aonsl University. We might hope to see the
most imposing site for grand triumphal arch
or national monument that any city OF the
world can boast today; that at the head of 18th
street as seen from Lafayette square, at least
no longer disfgured by tina: unssghtly water
tank, standing humiliation TO all our pre-
culture.
Might we not even look forward with some
nope 70 seeing the government take the initia-
tory steps toward the erection on this un-
paralieled site OF the great
COLUMBUS ARCH,
which has been 80 frequently advocated in
The STAR az the nations proper commemora-
ton OF the discovery Of America? And lastly,
might We not feel that the broad, magnificent
and far seeing scheme for national gallery OF
art and history which that true patriot Mr.
franklin W. Smith, has recently been
unfolding before our board of trade
would not have to 60 begging for
some proper arm Of the government to
give it an intelligent hearing and ii found
worthy a cordial and generous support? Let
% nave then our national art commission to
save for the highest uses of the people and for
holding our place as a nation in the art culture
OF the world those magnificent oppor tunities,
a. yet unspoiled, which our young and beauti-
full capital city offers us. Let Congress not
only save the $40 100000 which Secretary
Wanamaksr foresees will otherwise be spent on
buildings put up only to be torn down for their
ughness or their inappropriateness or bad loca-
ton. but let the government. begin now a
symmetrical and intelligent architectural
development OF Washington according to a
wise, liberal and far-seeing plan worthy in
dimensions and artistic idea of the seat Of
government OF a nation that calls itself q
leader In the civilization Of the world.
FRANK SRwALL-