Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-07-23
GRANDER WASHINGTON.
CAPITAL TO BECOME THE WORLDS
MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY.

| OF the Federal Capitals Equipment.
When little less than a year ago
the senate directed its district com
mittee to consider the question of ie-
Veloping the park system of the cap
ital the hope was born in the breasts
of progressive Washingtonians who
had labored for years for the attain
ment of the ideals of the founders of
the Federal city that at last achieve
| ment was within sight. AS the scope
OF te work undertaken by the commit
| tee and the personnel of the commits
| sion Of experts it created became
known this hope was frightened into
belief.
Now that the commission has fin
ished its task and its report has been
laid before the senate with the warm
approval OF the committee itself there
is no longer reason to fear that the
| Old hap--hazard, hit-or miss methods
OF capital making will be followed.
These reports, though not yet adopted
by congress, or, given form in legis-
lation even in part, may be regarded.
as the new foundation stones of the
Washington that is to become the
worlds most beautiful city.
| Bread and comprehensive, respect
| ful of the principles underlying the
original plans of the founders yet dar-
ing in the proposal of new projects in
harmony with the old, regardful of
only the single precept to make the
most of Washington's opportunities
for beauty and impressiveness, the
plans contemplate treatment OF.
parks, buildings. driveways, memori-
ais water front and lakes whica can
not be duplicated elsewhere in the
world with the same splendid effect.
| They recognize the exceptional facili-
| ties for adornment afforded by the
site of the capital fanked by two large
streams and buttressed by noble hills.
The marvel is that the progressive,
patriotic men who have been coming
| to the halls of congress for the past
| century have not more clearly recog-
| nized the possibilities lying in the way
| OF the capital makers, have not turned
| their energies resolutely to the task
rescured the grand original plan from
| its repressive. inharmcnious setting
which the negligence and Indifferent
practically" of generations has pro-
| duced. But many great questions have
demanded solution during the trying
| decades of national building and pres
ervation and expansion, and the capi-
! q thn
commodating the developing machin-
| cry of the government, has had to
| grow hap-hazard, caring for itself in
infancy and in youth and middle age.
Now the Washington of ripe years
is to be at last recognized by the ma
| ton. It's character as the centre Of
national activity, the expression of
national thought and ideals, is to be
established. 1t must be grand and
beautiful, else it will fall short of the
American standards. Where now it
is tawdry and shows the signs of the
make-shift expediency of the past, it
must be given artistic strength. Where
neglect has permitted incongruities to
crowd the very shadows of the great
Stl uItuICo VI ICtu, II
must be made harmoniously true in
every detail and in all places.
The park commission has wisely
| conceived it's mission one of more than
mere landscape gardening. 1t has
proposed projects for the develop
ment of every phase of the capitals
equipment. The mall is to be cleared
| np itc inc,,,, npoc op1 uivp-, pau,
| and beautiful features of artistic
adornment. A great memorial to Lii
coin is to stand at an axial point, com
manding the approaches to the me-
mortal bridge. Potomac Park and
great park driveway leading into the
Rock Creek valley. This valley is to
be reclaimed from it's deplorable state,
to become a beauty spot and means
of access to the two great parks above.
Series of driveways will permit con-
| tnuous communication between a
chain of large public reservations,
| along scenes of artistic landscape gar.
dening and passing handsome public
structures. The miasmatic Anacostia
| is to become water and land park,
| 0HOrulHS pressure anu FecTedllOn 10 the
people where now it poisons them. Po-
| tomac park is TO blossom into a place
! of beauty and public enjoyment. The
| river front, now disgracefully shabby
| viii become neat and attractive. The
city will be girdled By drives AMI
parks which cannot be elsewhere ap-
preached for extent or utility, or beau
! ty, or accessibility. At the very doors
of all the people will lie expanses CT
space filed with trees and flowers and
/ lawns to delight the eye and refresh
The soul and body.
On this great system of parks
comprehensive scheme of public build
ings will be based, permitting practi-
cally endless extension and unlimited
development as the governments
needs increase. The capitol grounds
are to be flanked only by public build
,,.l,.