Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-29

Ii IL encouraging to those who at all
times and in all places have advocated the
artistic identifying of the National Capital
to note the growth Of public enthusiasm in
the great work and to watch the gradual un-
folding of genuine interest In the city that
Is and should be more attractive than any
other center Of population on the American
continent. Among the latest and the most
sincere testimonies to a broadening of the
public view Is the demand for artistic archi-
lecture In Washington. voiced today by the
Philadelphia Press. The Press says that
Now that the centennial celebration of the
laying Of the corner stone Of the Capitol at
Washington Is a thing Of the past. the ques-
ton will doubtless arise as to further i'm
provements Of the great pile of buildings.
The solution OF this problem, 1t must be
obvious to the most casual observer, has
had an entirely new factor added to 1t this
year which must be reckoned with in the
future. and this factor Is the superb archi-
tectural achievements at the Chicago fair"
That the magnificent designs which were
materialized IN Jackson Park must infiu-
ence the worlds architectural ideas is I'M
questioned. but unless conditions change
materially ii will not be easy for govern
nent architects to create such structural
dreams as delight visitors to the White City.
Art Of the highest type demands recon-
pense far beyond any sum the government
as at present conducted is likely to pay.
Congress" says the Press, owes 1t to the
country, the eyes of which have been open
ed by the sculpture. the friezes, the mural
decoration. the superb facades at the fair,
to see that all future embellishments Of the
Capitol inside and out should De carried on
In the new spirit" And to this we add
hearty "Amenr' But we cannot agree with
our Philadelphia friend when 1t says that:
After Chicago the frescoes of the Capitol
become what they are-tawdry to a repel-
liant degree; after Chicago the frieze around
the dome of the rotunda at Washington
becomes worthy OF a coat of whitewash."
II Is true that the decorative work in after
the fashion OF days gone by, but its an
tquity Is in accord with the architecture
and both were the best Of their time Many
notable structures of the old world when
measured by the jackson Park standard.
are decidedly defective but they are deeply
interesting and so admirable In their main
features that only the boldest of iconoclasts
would propose the application of defacing
whitewash- or course the red-painted tin
roofs at the Capitol, to which the Press
refers. are incongruities and should either
D transformed or hidden. and there is op-
portunity for much improvement of that
sort Architects to whom shall be intrusted
future extensions of the Capitol building
may take cognizance of recent decorative
developments. but the simple grandeur of
the most gracefully proportioned dome In
existence must not be marred by the juxta-
position of styles that never can be recon
ched But the doctrine OF reform must be
applied to buildings projected rather than
TO those complete or In an advanced stage
OF construction. There is undoubtedly a
great deal of truth in the statement that
the Worlds Fair has educated the public
that there will no longer be eontentment
with architectural mediocrity. The popular
demand will be for the sublirnate of arr
and the people will'not hear patiently the
faltering apologies and explanations of
those who through niggardly devotion To
miscalled economy advocate the erection of
monstrosities Ike unto the Pension Office
Building The government should foster art
at least as willingly as it protects onions.
Ana the Worlds Fair promises to bring
about that desirable condition of affairs.