Evening star., 1900-12-11
Suggestions in Regard to Work Of
Beautifying the Capital.
THE PRESENT AN OPPORqUNE time
Views of Mr.. w. V. Cox, Secretary
of the Centennial Committee.
PEOPLE SHOULD ACT NOW

Some interesting suggestions In regard
to the improvement of this city were made
today by Mr.. w. V. Cox, the secretary of
the citizens centennial committee. In the
course of a talk with a Star reporter Mr.
Cox said:
eff the establishment Of the capital city
is ever to be accomplished. now is the
time when it should be begun. The ma
tional legislative body. which must be
looked to for carrying out such plans, has
authorized the preparation of designs and
data for a comprehensive park system.
The heads of the different executive de-
partments have renewed their recon-
mendations for the construction of hall
OF records and the District Commissioners
for municipal building. In other words.
the requirements alone now call for these
structures. Therefore it would seem that
every organization, every individual nav
ing at heart the making of capital city
of the great American nation one OF noble
lasting structures, grouped appropriately
and OF imposing design, seat OF govern
ment of such systematic layout and i'm
pressive grandeur as would be expected of
and would beft such a progressive coun-
try; every individual in every part of our
great republic who looks to a future Wash
ington as the father OF our country planned
it, should join in an appeal that this work
and the twentieth century's dawn.
Present Conditions.
1.-The approaching centennial celebration
of the removal of the capital from Phila-
delphia to Washington cannot but inspire
reflections on the present condition of the
city of Washington. a hundred years ago
the building of the Capitol had been only
partially completed. The noble building
that now stands overlooking the city, and
which is the admiration Of the world, had
not yet been conceived in its entirety by
it's architect. The Executive Mansion was
just ready for occupancy. Subsequently
the splendid group of buildings, such as
the treasury, with its imposing facade fac
ing the Potomac, unfortunately later ex-
tended in the line of Pennsylvania avenue,
was erected. The magnificent War, State
and Navy building is of a more recent date,
and If architecturally not as attractive as
some of the other buildings. still it must
be conceded that it serves ITS purpose IN a
most admirable manner OF recent build
ings the most striking is the superb Lii
brary of Congress- which forms valuable
adjunct to the Capitol.
"A hundred years ago there were few
scattered houses on almost impossible
roads Now palatial residences abound on
magnificent avenues that are paved with
asphalt. Primitive pathways have. given
way to granOlithic pavements. In those
days the cumbersome stage coach brought
the weary traveller to the new capital Now
steam or electric railways, with all the
luxuries of modern civilization. bring the
visitor to our gates and transport HIM IN
horstless carriages TO palatial hotels
IN the original plans OF the capital 1t -
clearly shown that it the intention of
our forefathers to reserve the territory on
the south side Of Pennsylvania avenue in
which 10 erect public buildings The de-
mands for business purposes led to the
temporary abandonment of this policy, but
more than ten years ago Seth Miiligan,
then chairman of the House committee on
public buildings and grounds. revived the
plan of preserving The south side of the
avenue for administration buildings, and,
indeed. it may be said in consequence of his
efforts the project has since been kept alive.
The members of the centennial commit &c
were in thorough sympathy with this propo-
stion, and consequently they recommended
to Congress in comprehensive plan, which
should include the connecting OF the Mall
and the Potomac Park with the National
REX Creek Park, the Improvement of that
portion Of Washington Mr. Samuel Par
SONS, jr., the well-known landscape archi-
tect. who was fer so many years connected
with Central Park in New York city, has
presented an elaborate plan for the artis-
tic treatment of these parks, which has
been submitted to Congress by Gen. John
NJ Wilson, chief of engineers. To the CEN
tennial committee Is also due much of the
ere dit for the interest in a memorial bridge
which should connect Potomac Park with
Arlington, the home of the nations dead
and later by broad boulevard with Mount
Vernon, where the dust OF the immortal
Washington is preserved.
In ether Cities.
THE persistent agitation of this compre-
hensive scheme fer the beautifying Of the
nations capital has unquostonably Ee"n
stimulated by the active measures tha.
have been effective in beautifying the
cities of Chicago. with its splendid parks.
H.. l-
and New York, with its elaborate series Of
parks in the city above the Harlem river.
The plan Of the city of Washington is ad-
mirably adapted for such scheme. and the
centennial committee, having in mind the
orportuneness of the occasion. is exceed
ingly anxious that the new century should
be inauguratcd by some active steps being
taken toward the elimination of such
project. The American Institute Of Archi
tects has shown very great interest in the
matter, and will soon hold meeting in
this city, when several Of Its most ecli
nent members will present papers en- the
future grouping of government .idlngs,
landscapes and statuary In this city. The
Entertainments on the Executive Mansion
for business offices demand that suitable
residence should be provided for the Presi-
dent Whether this proposition will best
be accomplished by the building Of a new
hCme for the chief executive. or by the en-
laIgement of the present editice. is a mat
ter that will come up for consideration.
Scenic and Historical.
1T may be well in this connection to refer
to the Society for the Preservation of Scenic
and Historical Places and Objects that was
OF ganized some five years ago in New York
city. This society, under the patronage
of the state legislature, has already secured
the historic sites of Lake George and Stony
Point for pubic parks. The histories of
these two localities are prominent In the
early annals of this country. This orSani-
Zation Is also working toward the preser-
walton of such natural scenery as the Pal-
sades ard Watkins Glen. Bills under their
supervision have been introduced into the
legislature and success is probable. The
recent worlds fair held in Paris affords
another excellent Illustration of what
should be done for our capital city. AS a
memorial of that great exposition there
have been left to the nun. .cipalty of Paris
the Avenue Nicholas II. the two art palaces
and the Alexander III bridge. 1t was the
desire of the French authorities that these
structures should represent in the highest
degree the architectural genius Of the peo-
pie at the close of the century.
The history of nations capital IS the
history of a nation, and the time is now
ripe for US to take advantage of the ability
and talent possessed by our American ar
chitects, sculptors and artists to evolve some-
thing that should be in the highest degree
representative of the genius OF the nation.
More and more is Washington becoming