The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-04-02
GRANDER WASHINGTON.
CAPITAL TO BECOME THE WORLDS
MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY.

|
the senate directed its district COM
mittee to consider the question of lie.
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 IL created became
known this hope was frightened into
a belief.
Now that the commission has fin
ished it's task and it's 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.
Broad 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 Washingtons opportunities
for beauty and impressiveness, the
plans contemplate a 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 flanked 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
Of utilizing them to the full, have not
rescured the grand original plan from
It's repressive, inharmonious 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 capt.
tai, regarded as the mere house ac-
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. Its character as the centre Of
national activity, the expression of
national thought and ideals, is to be
established II must be grand and
beautiful, else 1t will fall short of the
American standards. Where now 1t
is tawdry and shows the signs of the
make-shift expediency Of the past. 1t
must be given artistic strength Where
neglect has permitted incongruities to
crowd the very shadows of the great
structures of governmental need, it
must be made harmoniously true in
every detail and in all places.
The park commission has wisely
conceived its 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 he cleareI i
of its membranes and given new
and beautiful features of artistic
adornment. A great memorial to Lin
coin is to stand at an axial point, com
manding the approaches to the me.
mortal bridge. Potomac Park and a
great park driveway leading into the
Rock Creek valley. This valley Is to
be reclaimed from its deplorable state,
to become a beauty spot and means
of access to the two great parks above.
Series of driveways will permit con.
t!nuous 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,
affording pleasure and recreation to the
people where now 1t poisons them. Po-
tomac park Is to blossom into place
of beauty and public enjoyment. The
river front, now disgracefully shabby
will become neat and attractive. The
city will be girdled by drives anl
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 filled with trees and flowers and
lawns to delight the eye and refresh
the soul and body.
|. On this great system of parks a
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 fianked only by public build
ings, while around Lafayette square
will arise a great series of beautiful
structures, giving in themselves a dis