Evening star., 1902-02-12
MALL AS GVTfs SPOT
Early Plans ! d led for Max
ing It q y VeWay.
PROF. HE1 IS DIARY
MIR. DOWNING EH( BEN TO TAKE
CHARGE OF 0VEMENTS.
Grounds Declare IT'D Be Admirably
Adapted Il sl Jas Land
scape Garden.

The public attention. which has been
called through the parking commission to
the possibilities Of the mali as g. beauty
spot Of the nations capital, has special in
terest In connection With tho following ex-
tracts from the manuscript journal Of Pro.
fessor Joseph Henrya for many years the
distinguished head 6f-the Smithsonian In.
stitution. The diary shas never been pub.
lished. and these extracts, which show that
Professor Henry war Instrumental in Sc
curing the services 81 Mr. Downing. who
prepared the plan fofslaying out these pub
lilo grounds, are IosEs~for the first time
printed.
The diary reads as follows:
November 25. 1s50.AOccupied this morn
ing examining the public grounds between
the Capitol and thes monument. have
been Impressed since my connection with
the Smithsonian Institution with the i'm
portance Of improving the public grounds
on which the Smithsonian Is placed, in ac-
cordance with general plan, and I have
taken every opportunity Of expatiating on
the capacity of the mall to be made one OF
the most beautiful drives In the world. Nv
enthusiasm on this point was much damped
few months ago when 1t was proposed
to place the botanic garden on the mall,
near the Smithsonian. The site was chosen
and. as I supposed, all things settled, when
to my surprise some influence at once
changed the location.
Interest Again Aroused.
my interest in the project was again
awakened by a movement on the part of
Mr.. Corcoran. An appropriation was made
to improve the grounds around the Presi-
dents house. Mr.. Corcoran was interested
In the square opposite his residence. He
requested me to go with him to the Presi-
dent and to request him to interfere We
called on the President, who showed an
interest In the subject, but said he had no
power to act, but II we could show him
the authority he would do what he could
to forward the object. On this assurance
Mr.. Corcoran and myself left the Presi-
dent. and I was requested to search for
the law authorizing the action OF the Presi-
Force. who, after q search of some time,
found the law and gave me a copy. which
I afterward presented to the President.
The same evening l called meeting at
the Office Of the mayor Of Mr.. Mudd, the
commissioner Of public buildings; Mr.. Cor
coran and the mayor. After some CONVEX
satlon 1t was concluded to send some prom
inent landscape gardener to give q general
gestion Of the mayor, It, was resolved to
request the President tA- direct that Mr..
Downing. from NewburRn be requested to
examine the grounds and report plan Of
and myself) called next day on the Presi-
dent. presented the matter and received
from him the sanction for writing to Mr..
Downing. few days after this started
for New Jersey and was absent several
days. and when teturfed l found that
nothing had been done. MIR. Downing had
not been written to. ! I therefore drew up q
form Of a letter OF Invitation, in accord
ance with my vieKs Of the manner in
which the invitation should be worded, and
tc tn ha m
was sent. and in conformity with the invi-
tation Mr.. Downing has come on.
Calls ons President.
.sI called with Mr. Downing on the Presi-
dent, who gave us very pleasant recep-
ton and entered with much interest into
the plans Of Mr.. Downing.
This morning Mr.. Mudd. Mr.. Downing
and myself have examined all the ground
between the Capitol and the river and
found it admirably adapted to make a
landscape garden and a drive. It will be
important If possible to give the canal a
different direction from what 1t now has.
80 as to widen the part OF the mall next
the Capitol. The whole IL badly contracted.
The position OF the greenhouse Is badly
chosen and will interfere with the plan.
1T Is proposed to throw the whole mali
into one park and to construct wire fences
along the streets which cross the grounds.
whole as little as possible. The streets
will not. however. much interfere with the
appearance, particularly If they are neatly
lnclosed by wire fences.
July 1, 1s51.-Called today with Mr..
Downing, who has now charge OF tho i'm
provement of the mall. on the President
to settle the matter as to who has the
Jurisdiction Of the grounds, Mr.. Downing
or the commissioner OF public buildings.
Mr.. Downing Chosen.
'After much difficulty and perseverance
Mr.. Downing was called upon to give a
plan Of the grounds and afterward to take
charge Of the improvements. principally by
the Interference Of Mr.. Corcoran and my
self and the countenance Of the mayor.
The city is susceptible Of great improve
ment. and all the squares at the intersec-
ton Of the streets should be laid out taste
fully and surrounded with iron railing.
This can be best effected under the direc--
ton Of Mr.. Downing. II some person OF
his character Is not employed the whole
will be badly accomplished; one superin-
tendent will make 1t his business to undo
what the other has done. and 30 on.
Il am to see the Secretary OF the In
terror on the subject"
ck>-s>- r1oIa%oxo