The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-19
LAW MAY WTkTE
PARK COMMISSION
Statute Bars Acceptance of
Unpaid Advisers.
BEAUTIFYlNG THE CAPITAL
Work of Presidents in Past-Phrase.
ology of Order May Be Changed
to Meet Situation.
BEAUTIFYlNG THE CAPITAL

3 No formal opinion has yet been given
by the law officers of the Government
as to the application of the recently en-
acted statute against the acceptance of
voluntary services by any executive de-
partment, to the new consultative COM
mission which The President has estab-
hshed TO further the artistic develop
n.ent of the city.
The opponents of the Park Commits
SIGN. and of the architects, are sleeful
over the discovery of what they assert
will promptly put "a stop to this plan
OF the President
# Text of the Law.
The statute says:
Nor shall any department OF officer
Of the Government accept voluntary
service fer the Government or employ
personal service in excess of that au-
thorized by law, except in cases of sud-
den emergency involving the loss of
human lie or the destruction of prop
ANY person violating any provision
OF this section shall be summarily. re-
moved from Office and may also be
punished by a fine of not less than Sl0o
or by imprisonment for not less than
ore month
The aim of this act was to prevent
deficiency appropriations Congress has
heretofore refused to authorize a GER
tain undertaking, only to find the work
actually done by the next year, and
those who took the risk OF doing II
knocking at the door for deficienc,
appropriation, which the Government i:
often in honor bound to make.
The exhibit at the Charleston Is c.
fair was a case of this kind. Congress:
refused to appropriate; President Nc
Kinley sent the goods; q deficiency ap
preparation the next year paid tn
freight Congress has accordinsl,
drafted drastic law to prevent any
thing of this kind,
May Change Phraseology.
1t was clearly not its aim TO dis
courage the acceptance of advice with
out the hope of reward The official an
nouncement was made in this case tina
no compensation would be paid to sue
consultative commission.
1t is unlikely that the President
purpose will be set aside by this statute
although il may be necessary TO chang
the phraseology of the order establish
ing the new board.
But the real fight will come in Coz
gress in connection with every futul
proposal for a public building in tn
CITY. as to whether the site shall
left TO the discretion of any eSeeuo'
department or be specified by Congress
Administrative discretion will mea
the carving out in substance of Il
plans of the Burnfam commission,
fast as improvements are authorized
What Congress May Do.
But Congress can render this mo
Of the President imperative by namin
every time a building is authorized, I
lot where it is to stand. And in tt
way II can also minister to the re
estate ambitions of parties in intere
consideration which is rarely abse
in the location of public buildings VIII
left to the helter-skeiter of legislati
enactment.
But public sentiment is likely to IA
strongly toward the preservation Of
National Capital. Mr.. Reosevelt's
forts VIII find friends
Presidents have been great factors
the development of this city. 6
Brown. in his History of the "a
toll calls attention to this. show
what the different Presidents hs
done.
The city of Washington was laid
under the direction Of George Washil
ton, who, with the clearest understa
ing. gave painstalsing attention to
erythfng that related to the District
Columbia This accurate knowledge
detail and deep appreciation of its
pertance is clearly shown in numer
letters Of Washington. On one oc
sion he eYerruled the commission
and selected the best design pTesen
fer TIE Capitol.
Hallet Reversed.
Superintendent Hallet insisted
changing Thornton's plan. When q
eral Washington saw the extent of
alterations. he expressed his disappr
al using language in "A style OF s
warmth as his dignity seldom peri
ted" HaIlat was discharged; the fou
ations in progress were removed;
Thornton was directed to adhere 10
foundations of the original plan
President jefferson drew with his
hand the program for the compeu'
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