Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-22

elements of the composition and those
which relate exclusively to esthetic mo-
tiVeS, to ignore such feature of the work
Indeed, to have ignored it would have been
to incorporate in the composition 4 direct
untruth. Having given therefore the i'm
perative condition of a distinct structural
feature at the most prominent portion OF
the entire construction. namely, in the CEN
ter of the river, the correct principles of
art require that 1t should he utilized for
such ornate expression as the motive of
the whole work is intended to give.
Other Points Presented.
''The utilization of such structural fea-
lures for artistic expression" continued Mr..
Burr, has always been justified by the
best authority what may be called
structural art The placing of the memo
rial towers or the main memorial features
of the work at any other place than at the
bascule would have defeated any effort to
give to the structure an effective memorial
character. 1t would have violated struc-
tural requirements and made meaningless
and altogether abortive every effort al true
artistic expression. The location of the
way limit the ornate treatment of other
portions of the structure In the accepted
plans columns with statues all of an ornate
and memorial character, are placed at the
land ends of the structure. but they are
made subordinate. as they should be. to the
chief artistic feature of the composition
The position of the memorial towers, as de-
termined by the plans is not only justified
by the considerations which have just been
set forth, but they further justified by
the fact that they are needed in order to
make the baScule piers actually abutment
piers for the adjoining 1872 feet arches.
These observations, I think. should not
only carry conviction in themselves, but
they are conclusively confirmed by the
fact that some of the most prominent ar
chitects of the country were engaged on
the competitive plans standing highest in
the competition, and in each case the me-
mortal towers were placed on the baScule
piers Again, / believe it to be fact that
no plan for proposed memorial structure
has ever been offered prior to this design
without practically adopting the same gen
eral feature
Magnitude of the Structure.
1t will be observed that the lower chords
or the lower lines of the bascule opening
are made curved somewhat similar TO an
arch, in the plans as they are shown. This
curvature, although somewhat similar 10
that of the arches, is yet made of different
degree so as to involve the element of truth
that the bascule is, strictly speaking, not
an arch The curvature is sufficient and
well suited to secure the agreeable as well
as structural outline desired without intro
ducing the confusing idea to an unlooher
that the bascule position of the brItiee
might possibly be similar In character to
that of the adjoining spans. This result is
essential to truthful composition, and II
has been very gracefully attained. There IS
one element in the composition of this
structure which it is practically eitaIn
that a few only, and perhaps not one OF
those who have seen it, can fully realize.
In reality the entire structure between the
abutment walls, composed of the six arch
spans of the river portion and twenty-scven