The Washington times., 1905-08-27
GLAR|NG DEFECTS
NOTED BY EXPERTS
IN ARCHITECTURE
Surprise Expressed Over
Absence of Uniform
ity in Style.
GOOD TASTE is LACKING
Criticisms More Pronounced
Because Directed Against
Nations Capital.
GOOD TASTE is LACKING

Foreigners visiting Washington, or, for
that matter, Americans who have travel
ed extensively in Europe, frequently eX-
press surprise over the absence of uni
formity in the prevalent style of archi-
lecture in the Capital City of the United
States. They note less che ;2congruity
in design than the irregularity of the
skyline, and point out the fact that in
the cities of Europe, even the smaller
ones. these glarinG defects are copspicu-
Gus by their absence
They admit that Washington is not the
only American city thus disfigured, but
their criticism is especially stringent In
regard 70 /: because 1t is the Nation >
Capital Here. of all places, they say,
good taste in matters architectural
should least be offended; here all that Is
most attractive in general character and
special design should be most promi-
nent 20 serve as model to the other large
cities of the country
Criticism Well Founded.
To what extent this criticism is JUS
tined was propounded TO one of the lead
ing architects of the city; one, in fact,
whose firm enjoys national reputation,
and who. by reason OF the fact that he
has studied the architecture OF nearly
all the large European cities In MS
travels there. is especially qualified TO
give an opinion on this subject
Unfortunately. this criticism IS well
founded" said he. for American cities
are notorious offenders against good
taste in architecture. and / grieVe 10
saw that Washington is perhaps the
most notorious offender of them all.
The most casual observer cannot fail to
-baf called
the raggedness of our building opera
lions as a whole. Catholicity OF style Is
an excellent thing, OF course when con-
Aned within reasonable limits. but there
IS such a thing as carrying this freedom
from constant too far, and there can
he no doubt that this is the case IN
washington. The trouble is not only
with the methods of design employed
in the construction of individual puilo-
iucs but with the total disregard Oh the
symmetry of the skyline
81, ,ook at Pennsylvania avenue. There
IS not in all the world more magnln-
cent thoroughfare; not one better ADAPT
ed to the most perfect architectural
treatment. There can be 10 question
chat il was intended to become the great
show street of this country instead OF
this its ugliness architecturally cries
to heaven It presents an incongruous
mass of buildings. conspicuous among
which are a few really fine structures
and let me say here, parentheucally'
that the new Times building will De by
long adds the handsomest Of them all
while all the rest is miserable hodge-
podge of commonplace piles OF orick
with a liberal intermixture of ram
shackle concerns that would almost De
a disgrace TO q first class alley. AS lar
as the south side of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. is concerned, this. OF course. VIII be
redeemed from this curse Of ughness
sooner or later; for. be II tomorrow Of
fifty years hence. all the propertv on
that avenue, from the Treasury TO the
Botanic Garden, will be bought and
utilized as sites for large Government
buildings separated one from the other
by spacious lawns or small parks.