Evening star., 1902-01-15
The Grander Washington Plan.

park system of the capital the nope was
born in the breasts of progressive Wash
ingtonians who had labored for years Tor
the attainment of the ideals of the found
ers of the federal city that at last achieve
ment was within sight AS the scope of the
work undertaken by the committee and the
personnel of the commission of experts 1t
created became known this hope was
frightened into a belief Now that the
commission has finished 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 haphazard hit-or-miss methods of
capital making will be followed. These re-
ports though not yet adopted by Congress,
or given form In legislation even in part,
may be regarded as the new foundation
stones of the Washington that is to be-
come the worlds most beautiful city.
Broad and comprehensive, respectful of
the principles underlying the original plans
of the founders yet daring In the proposal
of new projects in harmony with the old.
Iegardful of only the single precept to
make the most of Washingtons opportuni-
ties for beauty and impressiveness. the
plans contemplate a treatment Of parks,
buildings driyeways, memorials. water
front and lakes which cannot be duplicat-
ed elsewhere in the world with the same
splendid effect. They recognize the excep-
tional facilities for adornment afforded by
the site of the capital, fianked 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 recognized 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 rescued the grand original plan
from it's repressive, inharmonious setting
which the negligence and Indifferent "prac-
ticaIity'' of generations has produced. But
many great questions have demanded solu-
tion during the trying decades of nation
building and preservation and expansion,
and the capital. regarded as the mere house
accommodating the developing machinery
OF government, has had to grow haphaz-
ard 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 nation. Its
character as the center of national activ-
fty, the expression of national thought and
ideals. is to be established. 1t must be
grand and beautiful, else 1t 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 inCopgruties to crowd the very
shadows OF the great structures of govern
mental need. 1t must be made harmonious
1y true in every detail and in all places.
The park commission has wisely con-
ceived its mission one of more than mere
landscape gardening. 1t has proposed pro-
ieCts for the development of every phase of
the. capitals equipment. The mali is to be
cleared OF its membranes and given new
and beautiful features Of artistic adorn-
ment. great memorial to Lincoln is to
stand at an axial point commanding the
approaches to the memorial bridge, Po
tornac Park and a great park driveway
Leading into the Rock Creek valley This
valley is to be reclaimed from it's deplora-
bic state. to become a beauty spot and
means Of access to the two great parks
above. Series Of driyeways will permit con-
tlnuOus communication between chain of
large public reservations, along scenes of
artistic landscape gardening and passing
handsome public structures. The mias-
matte Anacostia is 10 become a water and
land park. affording pleasure and recrea.
ttoR to the people where now it poisons
them Potomac Park is to blossom into
L
river front, now disgracefu.ly shabby, will
become neat and attractive. The city win
be g:rdled by drives and parks which can
hot be elsewhere approached for extent or
utility. or beauty accessibility. At the
very doors of all the people will lie ex-
panses of space filled with trees and flow-
ers and lawns to delight the eye and re-
fresh the soul and body.
On this great system OF parks a cornpre-
hensive scheme of public buildings will be
based. permitting practically endless ex-
tensions and unlimited development as the
governments needs Increase The Capitol
grounds are to be hanked only by public
buildings. while around Lafayette Square
will arise great series of beautiful struc-
lures. giving In themselves a distinctive
character to Washington as a center of
American art and architecture. The great
triangle between Pennsylvania avenue and
the mail Will be eventually occupied in
part by buildings Of national and mu-
nieipsl uses. surrounded by park ap-
proaches and giving a new character to
the southern side of the capitals grandest
stree: and great historic parade ground
Recreation grounds are to be provided near
The water. where modern public bathing
facilities will be afforded Places are des-
ignated for structuEes OF memorial art
which posserity may plan as occasions
arise. the general scheme TO be harmoni-
Gus and effective.
Two chief points are to be borne in mind
In appraisng the work of the park COM
mission. 1t was instrumental in securing
an Ideal solution of the railroad problem to
g'Fe Washington a monumental union sta
tion in place where II viii blend with
the other great public improvements, and
II has established the principle of MAIN
talnins an artistic as well as a practical
relationship between the archit ectural and
the landscape features of the capital. The
new plan, undermining and supplementine
the original project of LEnfant, will be-
come the guide to all future improvements
By adopting this scheme now, leaving its
components to be worked out in detail
as necessities and opportunities arise Con-
gress will demonstrate it's foresight and its
wisdom as Wen as its intelligent pride in
the national capital
II Washington statesmanship is as bril-
liant as Washington society, all viii un-
d0ubtedly be well