The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-21
ASK SUPPORT FOR
PARK COMMISSION
Architects Oppose Location
of New Building.
WOULD KEEP VISTA CLEAR
American Institute Inaugurates Move
ment to Change Plans for Quarter
ing Agricultural Department.

q circular on ne r uluIe OF " aSnlnE-
ton city" reviewing the efforts of the
institute To restore the plan of the Mall
as contemplated by President Wash
ington, and showing the conscientious
and persistent study Of the Park Com
mission appointed by the Senate Com
mittee on the District Of Columbia In
this circular the committee says In part:
Several years ago the Senate Com
mittee on the District of Columbia an
pointed commission 20 study and re-
port on the Improvement of the District
of Columbia.
in studying the topography OF the
city and its surroundings, the breadth
and magnificent possibilities Of the
problem were quickly appreciated. Be
fore the eye opened great amphithe-
ater. formed by hills. with the beautiful
city in the valley and two splendid riv-
ers encircling the site. Nothing could
be more inviting to an artistic mind.
After travel and investigation Of ex-
isting city and park landscape in
Europe, the commission returned home
prepared to formulate a scheme for the
development OF the District Of CO.
lumbia.
1t was surprising to find how broadly
and thoroughly Washington and Len
FAINT had grasped the subject After
careful study and consideration il was
thought best to adopt the broad prin-
ciples of President Washington's scheme.
A Noteworthy Commission.
This decision. when the character
and ability of the commission is taken
into consideration, should have the
greatest weight with the country. 1t
was composed of d. II. Burnham q +
MeKim. Augustus St Gaudens and F. i.
Oimsted. il. The four commissioners
were on the board of works at the CO.
lumbar Exposition. Chicago. Mr.. Burn
nam ana Mr. McKim are past presidents
OF the American Institute Of Architects
conditions have changed in the last
hundred years. and many and great
problems were left TO the commission
Tor solution. The Potomac River IS not
now where It was a hundred years ago:
reclamation Of swamp area has thrown
20 mar mile farther west: the Wash
4nston monument IS not located on the
me cross axes OF the Capitol and the
White House. as contemplated and the
design Of the Monument Is totally dif
Ierent from the equestrian statue au-
Grafton.
Although the scheme as presented in
lhe pans OF the commission is a de-
Nelopment OF the original plan. and is an
appreciation Of the work done more 100
years ago. the addition Of the area west
or the Monument the needs OF the Cow
eminent for new Office structures. park
areas and connections statuarv tand
water surfaces. have caused the com
mission 10 solve such problems OF utility
and interest according to the methods
SHOWN IN the drawing and models that
are now on view in the Library OF Con-
Plan Already Threatened.
A great step IN the development of
the Mall is assured by the removal Of
the Pennsylvania station and railway
tracks, contamination not hoped for
two years ago With these distractions
removed the Mall can be brought into
an artistic condition by following A
plan that viii involve the treatment
from the Capitol 70 the Monument. ac-
cOrding 10 the plan devised by Presi-
dent Washington.
The plan of Washington city. and the
suggestion for the monumental treat
ment OF the Mall, is the nOblest artistic
heritage left the country by General
Washington. All patriotic citizens Of
the United States should feel il a duty
and use their most strenuous endeaVOrs
with Congress to prevent the destTuc-
tlOn Of the plan by the erection of the
new agricultural building on the site
Action is urgent as plans are made
and contracts are about 10 be let for
this structure. locating the building 100
feet farther north in the Mall than the
plat calls for thus interfering with the
ri Chitectural vista 10 The Capitol and
preventing a IutuTe monumental treat
uent. There IS no valid reason why the
building should not be located on the
north side OF the Mall. IN harmony with
the original plan. Senator Newlands
has introduced bin 10 keep this build
ing within proper lines, and Congress
should be urged 10 pass u.
Local Aid Asked
The following letter has been address
Cd 10 the editor of The Washington
Times. accompanying copy Of the
circular:
Sir: AS you are doubtless aware. IN
the year 1901 an expert commission ap-
pointed by the Committee on District
OF Columbia of the United States SEN
ate prepared q plan FOR the future de-
xelopment Of the park system of the
District Of Columbia.
This commission recommended a re-
turn TO the original plan prepared by I
President Washington and Major peter
&. L'Enfaut which has been ackE0yyI- 1
edged both at home and abroad as q
noble scheme.
There Is at the present time definite
intention 10 place the new building OF
the Department Of Agriculture i'm such 4 4
position on the Mali as 70 preclude the [
future development Of the plan Of the
city on the original lines laid down h.,
Washington and H. Eufaut and nov
urged BY the Park Commission
on March Z, l9H, Senator Newlands ]
introduced Senate bill No. 1915. reguIat- ]
ing the erection OF buildings on the
Mall. which Bill II passed. viii preserve
the original plan Of Washington
Matter Is Before Congress.
This bill. after a public hearing on
the 18th instant was returned to the
Senate with the unanimous approval Of
the District Committee. II has now
been referred 10 the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds Of the
House OF Representatives. Of which
Charles W. Gluet representing the
Thirty-third Congress district Of New
York State. is chairman
Failure 70 pass this bin al the pres
ent session means the immediate con- Z
struction OF the group OF new buildings
for the Department Of Agriculture uUOn
q site obstructing the Mall vista as
above stated.
Your valuable influence in prevent
ing this fatal encrOachment Is most
earnestly requested, and 20 make this
effective a letter should be immediately 4
addressed 10 Charles W. Gillet House or /
RepresentatiVcs. Washington.
GEORGE b. POST
"CARRERE a. HASTINGS
nm