The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-04-17
GRANDER WASHINGTON.
C:PlTAL TO BECOME THE WORLDS
MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY.

Founders at Last in Sight - Projects
for she Development of Every Phase
of the Federal Capitals Equipment.
When a little less than year ago
the senate directed it's district COM
mittce to consider the question OF ie-
vcloping the park system of the cap
ital the hope was born in the breasts
of progressive Washingtonians VINO
had labored for years for the attain
ment of the ideals of the founders or
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
a 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-hazarI, hit-or-miss methods
of capital making will be followed.
These reports, though not yet adopted
by congress, or, given form in lc5ls-
lation even in part, may be regarded
as tho new foundation stones Of the
Washington that is to become the
worlds most beautiful city.
Broad and comprehensive, respect
full Of the principles underlying the
original plans of the founders yet dar.
ing in the proposal Of new projects ln
harmony with the old, regardful OF
only the single preceDt 10 make tho
most of Washington's opportunities
for beauty and imprcssiveness, the
plans contemplate treatment OF
parks, buildings. driveWays, memoir
ais, water front and lakes which can
not be duplicated elsewhere in the
world with the same splendid effect.
They recognize the exceptional facill-
ties for adornment afforded by the
site of the capital hanked by two large
streams ard 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 AMI Indifferent
practically" of generations has pro
luced. But many great questions have
demanded solution during the trying
decades of national building and pres
ervation and expansion, and the capl-
tai, regarded as the mere house &C.
commodating the developing machln-
cry of the government, has had to
grow haphazard, 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 CT
natiora! 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 1t
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
structures of governmental need, 1t
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 capitars
equipment. The mall is to be cleared
of its incumbrs.nces and given new
and beautiful features of artistic
adornment. A great memorial to Lll-
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 it's deplorable state,
to become beauty spot and a means
of access to the two great parks above.
Series of driveways will permit con-
tinuous communication between a
chain Of large public reservations,
along scenes of artistic landscape gar
dening and passing handsome public
structures. The miasmatic Anacostla
is to become a water and land park,
affording pleasure and ndrecreation 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 AMI
parks which cannot be elsewhere ap-
preached for extent or utility, or beau
tv. 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 fanked only by public build
ings, while around Lafayette square
will arise a great series of beautiful
structures giving in themselves dis
tinctivc character to Washington as a
centre of American art and architec-
ture. The great triangle between
PENNSYLVANIA avenue and the mall
will be eventually Occupied in part by
buildings of national and municipal
uses. surrounded by park approaches
and giving a new character to the
southern side of the capitals grandest
street and great historic parade
ground. Recreation grounds are to be
provided near the water, where mod
ern public bathing facilities will be
afforded. Places are designated for
c+r,,oturoc of memorial art which DOS-