Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-17
A Visitors Suggestions of Local I'M
pFOVements.

To the Editor of The Evening Star:
The future of the capital city Of the ma
ton is of interest to every American citi-
zen, and suggestions from visitors are,
therefore, not impertinent. The rapid in
crease in wealth of the country, and the
great place it has suddenly taken among
the nations. are certain to be reflected in
the architecture. wealth and political and
social Importance of it's capital city.
First looking down Pennsylvania. avenue
from the treasury is it not apparent that
the tall buildings erected already have the
EFFECT to dwarf the Capitol building? This
will become more and more marked as
these avenue structures increase. UnqueS-
tionably the Capitol building. and especially
its dome. should be the dominant feature In
this vista. Years ago the late Senator
CQnkling urged that the dome be lifted up
by the addition of story or stories to the
central mass of the building. Would 1t
not be well. in the east and west extension
of the building now proposed, to make pro-
vision for such elevation OF the dome?
Second, why should the mouths or en-
frances to three great avenues, namely,
Vermont. Connecticut and 10Th street, or
Executive avenues, be hid. choked and OBJ
structed by the mass of shrubbery, trees
and underbrush in Lafayette Park. Con-
trast this park with the brilliant moving
life, day and night, of the Place de la Con-
corde, and see what 1t is possible to do at
this square Once. unquestionably. this
park, with its greenery and shade, was q
delightful oasis in desert OF mud and
dust and vacant lands, but that day has
passed, and Washington is one of the best
shaded cities in the country. 1t is getting
to be most too much in the woods, In fact.
Let the shrubbery referred to be removed,
send the Objectionable urns to the off-color
section Of the city where the civilization its
bas reliefs represent alone survives. Give
US here a wide, open, paved plaza.
Further. the southern winds from the
river should not be INSTRUCTED in reaching
this plaza, nor the avenues opening north
erly out of it, by any further building con-
structtons east or west of the White House.
The conservatory and truck buildings. al
ready an obstruction. should be moved to
the of the Executive Mansion. When
the great avenue proposed from the Capt.
tol through the Smithsonian and other
grounds to the river is constructed, the i'm
portance of wide avenues and open spaces
connecting 1t with the Lafayette Park sec
ton and the great residence avenues re-
ferred to will become apparent.
The notion of combining the executive
offices and the domestic quarters Of the
President ahd family In one building seems
to have been borrowed from a class OF
| stores that we used to have, and perhaps
| still have, representatives of out It'll street
| The family live back and over the store,
| the store proper being the living and re-
ception rooms. and on warm evenings and
| Sundays the shOpman. his frau and
.'childer," occupy the sidwalk in front.
! / submit that such economies are not re-
| quired of a great and wealthy nation
The White House is sufficient for the
| executive offices. and the executive offices
| alone. The President should have, back
| on the heights overlooking the city, spa
| cious and comfortable mansion. with ample
| grounds. where he can recuperate when off
| duty, and where he could be. in fact off
| duty. Meridian Hill seems to have been
providentialiy preserved for such a use,
\ with it's cooler airs and magnificent pros
| pect. And there are other nearby heights
perhaps equally desirable. Let the Presi-
! dent have a chance where he can get out
! under his vine and fig tree, and take off his
| uniform. If he will. and sit in his shirt
| sleeves without being exhibition from
| Pennsylvania avenue. The first citizen of
| the republic is too valuable to be kept on
| duty in an Office building twenty four
| hours of the day. JAMES r. SMITH
| Lowell, Mass