Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-27
AGAINST THE PLANS
MR.. WADSWoRTH HAS A CONFER
ENCE WITH PRESIDENT.
Objects to Site of New Agricultural
Building as Laid Down by
Park Commission.

President Roosevelt was informed today
that the House committee on agriculture
is in arms against the, plans of the park
commission, which the late Senator Nc
MILAN of Michigan, originated, so far as
they provide an 500 foot boulevard through
the mall from the Capitol to the rixer.
The fight against the plans has all come
about through the location of the proposed
new building for the Department of Agr-
culture, and before it gets through may
result in the serious impairment of the
plans that were approved by the Senate
and along which the officials of Washing
ton and of the government have been work
ing for some time
Representative wadsworth of New York,
chairman of the committee on agriculture,
had conference today and protested
against the location of the new Department
of Agriculture building on B street between
18th and 18th streets. and with its face
fronting the proposed avenue of 800 feet.
The House committee has ascertained that
the plans for the new building have all been
drawn and that the contract is about to be
let for the building to be located on the site
mentioned.
MI. Wadsworth's Objections.
"The committee is unalterably opposed to
this site and the proposition to face the
building toward the proposed avenue said
WI w duSWOFtn, he ndu talked Will
the President, land we will object as far
as possible. According to our understanding
of the proposition for the new building, it
is to be placed with its back to B street
northwest, or just off B street. and its face
tC ward the present building of the DeparC-
ment of Agriculture.
This VIII set the build ng in a veritable
hollow. where it will make showing in
the world, and where the back of the build
ing will be the place that everybody will
have to enter. As a matter of fact it Will
be fifty or sixty years before Congress will
ever provide sufficient money to carry out
the gigantic plans of the park commission,
and SO the front of the build ng will be fac
ing the wrong way for fifty years. at least.
What We are in favor of is to locate the
new building near the site of the present
building. with its face to the north, just as
the present building is situated. The new
building would face the proposed avenue
and would be located in an attractive place.
instead of being put in a hollow with its
face fronting the wrong way. We have
taken the matter up with the President.
who has much to say about the location OF
the new building.
I'm this connection We are opposed to
the proposition To make an S0J-.oot avenue
through the mall. That IS 40 feet more
than contemplated by L'Enfant. the French
engineer who laid off Washington. We feel
that 600 feet Is sufficient An avenue so
feet wide would preserve the Smithsonian
building, which, in my opinion. is one of the
most beautiful pieces of architecture in the
city of Washington.
There is no use destroying this and other
buildings to establish an SO0-foot avenue
when GOO feet would be abundantly wide"
Mr.. Wadsworth has had several confer
ences with the Secretary of Agriculture,
Mr.. Wilson, and expressed to him the
views of the committee. The determination
of the question of location will rest with
the President. who has authority to order
what is to be drne.
At the Department of Agriculture it is
stated that the new building is to be To-
Gated across 18th street, facing the Old
building over one hundred feet south from
B street The proposition is to fill the site
so as to raise the new building to a level
with the present building