Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-09
The Sky Line.

II Washington is ever to be developed to
the point of attractiveness now attained by
the great European capitals, it will be nee
essary to secure a more harmonious sky
line in the business section. At present
the inequalities of the line are so marked
as to impress all visitors unfavorably and
to excite critical comments. The growth
of the city has occurred in the past so spas
medically and at times under such restric-
tive conditions that in places the buildings
lining important streets seem to be things
OF shreds and patches. with fine modern
structures crowded by squat sheds or an
Client shacks. and without uniformity of
size or architectural style.
The Washington of the past few years Is
an entirely different city. 1t is the product
OF modern enterprise of ample means,
Astounding business spirit and wholesome
civic pride. These factors have at times
and in places been somewhat checked by
the Accommodations of years of neglect and
lack of progress. Consequently when adj
vances have been made there have been
lapses and inequalities that today show the
more glaringly for the very betterments of
recent years.
Some seasons ago Congress enacted a law
which was designed to prevent the erection
in this city of the so-called ''skyscrapers
which have so seriously diSfgured New
York and some other large cities. A rule
was adopted designed to preserve an ar
tistic harmony between the height of build
ings and the width of the streets With
an extreme height established for all cir
cumstances and with sliding scale to suit
the locality and the character of the build
ing. the Commissioners Were given a some
what flexible authority in the premises.
Occasional differences have arisen between
the Commissioners and the owners of prop
erty which they have intended to improve.
the former wishing to prevent the erection
of abnormally high structures and the lat
ter naturally wishing to make the most of
their land Such controversies have in the
main been settled to the best end, without
checking desirable enterprises marring
the city's appearance. Incidentally in the
course of these disputes The Star has fire.
quently called attention to the fact. I'M
recognized by law or regulation. that there
is as urgent need of minimum height
rule as of a maximum height limit. that
the city can be and is married by ground
huggers'' seriously by skyscrapers.
Had a law prescribing such a minimum
height In the business district been enacted
a dozen years ago the city would now be
spared the spectacle of ridiculously low
buildings adjacent to wel-proportioned
structures. 1t would probably have gained
a number of handsome large business build
ings in their place
Washington today needs the enforcement
OF building regulations that will check the
erection of tiny buildings in business streets.
1t needs the rigid enforcement of a wise
rule of maximum height. 1t needs a suf-
ticent margin of permissible enterprise to
keep the city growing along right lines
without contributing to ugly conditions or
awkward problems. In short, 1t needs a
more or less flexible rule, based upon a
combination of business needs and artistic
requirements. which will cure the capitals
now hideous sky line as rapidly as the cap
italists of the city are in the mood and the
position to contribute to its growth