Evening star., 1900-05-02

The Centennial avenue project. which was
put to sleep under the influence of a pro-
nounced public sentiment in opposition a
few months ago. seems to have been awak-
ened from its slunber and to have put on
q new dress. 1t is reported that Col Bfng-
ham has prepared a plan for a straight
avenue through the Mall. to be dedicated
to the centenary of the capital, and that
this plan is receiving the favorable atten-
tion of officers of the government and legis-
lators. A correspondent. whose letter Is
printed in today's Star. urges the rejection
of this scheme in the interests of the park
beauties of the city. His objections are
sound and uuanswerable. The Bingham
project presents all the offensive features
of that urged at the outset of the enter
prise while it possesses others in addition.
The original purpose was to cut a broad
boulevard through the Mall along the
northern edge. running straight from the
Capitol to the Memorial bridge. The Bing-
ham plan is to run this avenue from the
Capitol to the Monument, a course already
covered by drives straight enough for every
practical purpose and winding enough to
preserve the artistic value of the park.
The avenue through the middle of the Mall
would divide that now beautiful reservation
in twain. making two parks of less aggre-
gate space than the present. 1t would serve
no useful purpose, afford no sites for build
ings. add nothing to the grand reservation.
while destroying its chief charm, that OF
irregularity and seclusion.
The spirit of l. Enfant is being perpetualIy
invoked in aid Of these latter day schemes
to destroy much of the capitals present
beauty. 1t is true that a certain strong
sentiment attaches to all of LEnfant's 5
original propositions. If executed at the
outset and in the spirit of their conception
they would have made magnificent cap
ital. But time has changed the situation
To attempt now to give form to the full
L Enfant program or to isolated features
that have been neglected, without regard
for the beauties of years of growth, would
be to destroy much of untold value and
Lead to an unsatisfactory result. 1t were
far better to employ the energy and the
money needed in such propaganda in the
clearing away of the iisiguring occupants
of the south side of Pennsylvania avenue
and thus providing building space for the
government for generations to come.
A boulevard or avenue through the Mall.
whether in the middle or on the side, would
be incompatible with the character of that
reservation. If Col. Bingham has indeed
undertaken TO secure legislative enact
ment toward this end the fact is to be re-
GREETED. for it betokens an utter miscon-
ception on his part of both the opportunities
and the demands of the present. 1t is to be
hoped that some adequate memorial of the
capitals centenary will be provided. The
Inauguration of the Memorial bridge will
suffice to that end But it would be de-
plorable II so significant an event were to
be commemorated by an enterprise destruc-
tive of one of the city's chief charms and
subversive Of the principle of park preserva-
ton which only requires maintenance and
extension to make Washington a city of
wonderful beauty.