Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-29
GEOGRAPHIC SCULPTURE.
Scheme to Make an Exact Model of the
United States.

An exact model of the United States on
scale of two and half inches to the mile
Is one of the possibilities of the future as
an added attraction to the national capital.
While this possibility is, strictly speaking,
as yet only in the air, 1t nevertheless has
some Jealous advocates who see In 1t not
only a great educational function, but
feature Of attractiveness to the people Of
the country not equaled by any piece of
natural scenery.
1t will be recalled that several years ago
there was a project for an outdoor map of
the United States on the Potomac flats
through which visitors could walk as
through park. Bills were introduced in
Congress for this project by Senator Can
ron of Utah. The idea was also zealously
advocated by MI Gardiner Hubbard, presi-
dent of the National Geographic Society.
The present plan, however, contenplates
a much more perfect reproduction than
would be possible in an outdoor map. The
country would be produced in exactly the
same manner as the city of Washington
has been in the models prepared by the
park commission and now ON exhibition in
carried out delfcately and accurately would
make 1t possible to reproduce every build
ing road, bridge and railroad in the United
States, as well as the physical features Of
the country.
A model of this character and on the
same scale is now being made of Swtzer-
land. This model will be the first prOduc-
tion on large scale Of what is known
as the new school of model making. The
new idea differs from the old in that it
eliminates the exaggeration Of certain lines
which was supposed to be necessary in or
der to convey to the eye the impression a
person supposedly gets by seeing the origi-
nal subject. To accomplish this the scale
in elevations had to be made different than
that Of the surface modelled. which fact has
tended to destroy popular confidence in the
accuracy of the old models
The new modelling Is really geographic
sculpture" some Of its devotees cali II
Ii aims at absolute accuracy and Is made
possible through the perfection In map
making and Of dry-plate photography.
There is no attempt at exaggeration of eie-
vations or any other illusion. The new park
commission models are examples of the
new school, only en- considerably larger
scale than that proposed for the model Of
the country.
1t would be necessary to house this model
in a well-lighted building, which would have
to be about 800 feet long and half as wide.
Visitors could see 1t by walking over glass
paths These paths would be made on
sliding supports. capable OF being pushed
sideways. SO as TO allow Of an inspection
Of the whole surface.
One OF the possibilities Of such model
which would make 1t appeal to statesmen as
practical proposition would be that of
having any section desired removed and
replica productions made, as well as
changes made in the model to suit changed
conditions which night occur at any time.
These replica sections could be made OF pa
per pulp or other light substances and used
In school work. Just as the MAPS OF The
geological survey are now done. and sold
at cost. ssse