Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-26
Authority to Arrest.
SOUTH SIDE OF PENNA. AVENUE.
Future Public Buildings Should Be
Located There.

From the Washington Post.
The bill introduced into Congress and
having for its object the erection of the
proposed city or District building upon the
site of the old city hall should not pass.
The present structure is one of the familiar
landmarks of Washington. More than that,
it is a structure of great intrinsic interest
and merit. To remove it would be to COM
nit an act of dissertation. AS 1t stands,
and considering the location and the en-
vironment, it is as graceful and ornamental
as any likely to be erected in its stead, and,
beyond that, it is hallowed by tradition
and association which should not, under
any circumstances, be disregarded.
AS it happens, however, there is no prac-
teal reason why this act of PhilistiniSm
should be sanctioned, but, on the contrary,
every reason why it should be forbidden.
Apart from all considerations of preserving
the capitals historic monuments and orna-
ments, there is the imperative need of beau
tifying, and utilizing, and redeeming from
neglect and ugliness one of the most con-
venient and attractive parts of the city
refer to the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue, from the treasury building to the
Botanic Gardens. In all the city there is no
locality better adapted to the uses of the
government. In all the city there is none
which cries more loudly for rescue and re-
Mobilization. Here we have a magnificent
thoroughfare, wider than four ordinary
streets, running straight from the treasury
to the Capitol and susceptible of an adorn-
ment beyond description. Along this great
thoroughfare all our national pageants and
professions pass. Along it our Presidents
are escorted to the ceremonies of their in
auguration. Our armies march there, our
common victories and sorrows are cele-
brated there. And yet, for the greater part
of its extent 1t Is hedged with the most
wretched and unlovely novels in all Wash
ington. 1t is beautiful in nothing save its
magnificent spaces and its sumptuous pos
sibilities 1t is at once the most splendid
and the most forlorn avenue in the city.
1t is splendid because of the development
of which it is capable. 1t is forlorn because
of the neglect in which 1t languishes.
For years past a number of the most
patriotic and far-sighted men in Congress
have he rbored the dream of making Penn
sylvania avenue what it should be. This
dream was dear to Hon. John ]. Ingalls,,
mittee of the Senate; to the late Justin S.
Morrill, of Vermont, to the late William
Dorsheimer and S. S. Cox of New York,
and to & hundred others We might name
among the brightest and most cultured men
in public life. 1t was their idea to purchase
the south side of the avenue from the
Peace statue to 18th street, and to line it
other Why not begin this work of artistic
redemption now? If We have new public
buildings to erect, why not erect them on
the south side of the avenue, one after an
other, until that hideous eyesore shall have
been transformed into revelation of
beauty and of grace? There is no more
suitable or convenient locality. If we
sought the city over, it would be impos-
sibe to find a more perfect combination of
convenience and utility.
Erect the new city building on the south
side of the avenue,