The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-27
Authorities Not i'll Favor of
Record Hall Location.
TALK WITH COMMISSIONERS
Place Chosen Not N Harmony With
Burnham Commission Plans for
Greater Washington.


Street site for the Hall of Records. has
resulted in discussion of the location
of public buildings which shows clearly
thar Washiugtoniaus officials and lay
men, favor the plans of the Burnham
park commission and are unwilling 70
have buildings scattered over he city
to suit the designs Of real estate specu-
Iators
The District Comm issiouers and other
prominent men who have 40 real estate
interest al stake approve Of the stand
The Times has taken against the Ipca-
lion OF buildings IN violation of tn.
plans prepared by the Buruham com
mission
Views OF the Commissioners.
While the District Commissioners are
unwilling to commit themselves upon
the proposition that the Secretary o5
the Treasury should exercise his discre-
tion and refuse 70 purchase The proposed
Hall Of Records site. it is well known
that the members OF the board would
much prefer 10 see that done
The present home OF Commissioner
Mcfarland is in the square intended for
the records building. and he naturally
objects TO being turned out of the house
now grown dear TO his family by long
association. But beyond ali personal
interest in the matter the Commission
er feels il would be vastly better Eor the
future welfare of Washington TO choose
a site for the structure somewhere along
The line OF Pennsylvania Avenue where
IL would become an essential part OF the
park plan
The Board of Commissioners is Of
icially committed 10 The report Of the
BuTuham commission
For years the Commissioners and
other public officers, and the citizens
OF tbe District" he said. na7.-- 3zen
hoping that such q comprehensive
scheme of Improvement OF the parking
system. and. therefore, Of the whole Dis
trict, would be adopted. in order that
lis estbetic development might be
made harmonious and complete. aud ia
accordance with the best ideals"
Il may be said the idea Of appointing
the commission of experts 10 formulate
the park plan was first DTopounded at
a meeting OF the centennial celebration
committee. of which Commissioner Mac
farland was chairman. and that from the
Inception Of the scheme the District
Commissioners we're in touch with the
commission. knew their views. and sym
a hized with them 10 the fullest ex-
VSpeaking Of a general adherence TO
tlaf plan for placing public buildings.
Commissioner MacfarIand argues that it
should by all means be put in operation.
The scheme. he said, represents the best
thought Of experts at the dawn Of the
twentieth century on the subject.
Bunham Plan Generally Approved.
Moreover, Commissioner MacfarIand
continued. the majority Of the members
of Congress were in accord with the
BurDham plan and would wish TO see it
adhered TO alike with reference to future
park Improvement and the location OF
public buildings from time to time. The
plan having been presented and almost
universally accepted as right. MIR Mae
farland thought the best thing to do vas
Il sick to if. The Commissioner not
only recognizes the utility OF the plan.
but feels he had part in its develop
ment. and he would dislike 70 see
public building Of the size and impor-
lance Of The EaU of Records sci apart.
where it would have no part in the gen
erai public building scheme proposed by
the commission.
Commissioner West said that having
recently come into the Board, he had