New-York tribune., 1901-11-10
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
THE COMMISSION APPOINTED TO PLAN
ADORNMENTS FOR WASHINGTON
READY TO REPORT

Washington. Nov. s.-The commissioned. H.
Burnham Charles w McSim. T. L. Olmstead and
Charles Moore, secretary-apponted by the District
Affairs Committee to prepare plans for the exten-
sion and adornment of the capital will submit its
report to Congress early in January. Acting upon
instructions. this committee visited the principal
cities of Europe last summer to observe their pub
lie works and study landscape architecture. They
were everywhere received with cordiality and
bed inspect the cities included in their itinerary
under the most favorable auspices. But with their
visit to Europe the work of the commission
only begun. Quite as important part was to con-
suit with authorities in this country and with the
army engineers, the district commissioners and
other officials having charge of public improve
ments in Washington, from whom they met with
as hearty reception as from their brothers in
Europe
No power to change, alter make contracts for
projected Improvements was given to the commits
sion They were asked simply to formulate plans
for the extension and improvement of the city.
Their work has already been accomplished. their
report practically decided upon but the details of
the plan will not be published until the report is
laid before Congress. In connection with this
port there will be exhibited in the Corcoran Art
Gallery model in plaster, prepared under the di-
rection of Charles McKim Augustus ST. Gaudens
Stanford White and John Lafarge. of the capital
as 1t is to-day and another showing the contem-
plated improvements While they cannot antfci-
pate their formal report to Congress, the members
of the commission speak freely of the general ideas
they have adopted. No city in the world has the
architectural possibilities of Washington It's situa
ton was chosen with discrimination and taste its
envfrons are particularly beautiful. and the plan
laid out by L'Enfant is unexcelled. Had this plan
been closely and inteigently followed there would
be of a commission to suggest plans for
the beautlfylng and extension of the city The
commission appreclating beauty OF |. t,nfant's
plan, WIZ 1oII0w 1t as lar as possible and to
claim the Mall. to convert it into the imposing
park the first architect of Washington intended il
should be- is one of the most interesting projects
set Iortn In the report OF the c0mmiSsoIn which
for irG irroDr
ment- 1t is proposed that the Mail shall be the
centre OF a great park system, and from ne
east and west broad bouevards will connect it with
the Soldiers Home. the Geological Gardens and
carrying out of the plan sketched by the commits
sion the removal of the railway tracks, stations
members, Mr.. Burnham, through whose influence
the Pennsylvania Railroad has decided to remove
on the edge OF the Mall and erect a great central
station in another part of the city
suggestions for the reclamation of the Anacostia
fats. the treatment of public buildings extension
which, when properly handled. such pleasing
feature of landscape architecture While the in
pairing of a report for Congress the reputation of
its members in the various fields they represent
taken, have given them wide influence and their
advice has been eagerly sought and as faithfully
new buildings or the carrying on of other public
works in hand Secretary Root consulted them
b and de m Bara l9n 'he has ee se son @ to
the plans for the new building for the Department
of Agriculture, for which an appropriation was
The present commission is not the first one au-
Buchanan. in obedience to resolutions adopted by
Congress calling for the appointment of com
of the country to examine and report system
Of decorating and embellishng the public buildings
ana Hnr SO as 70 o result 5
James R. Lambden Mr. kensett ranked high as a