The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28

autocratic authority TO push such IN
dertakings in the past centuries. we
have had to await public enlighte l.
ment and appreciation before we coCl
| begin
Most fortunately, however, the fathers
OF the Republic. in their marvellous wis
dom and foresight, did succeed in Sc
curing the adoption, by the Government.
of a plan Of avenues, streets and park
reservations before the Government had
even occupied its District Of Columbia
and its projected city of Washington,
or had even be gun the construction OF a
single public building. That plan. all
drawn on single sheet of paper, guided
down the century the layout of the en-
tire city and finally fixed its lines and
spaces forever beyond alteration, and
the venerable old plan itself. worthily
revered somewhat ike the Constitution,
Is tenderly preserved among the most
precious archives Of the United States.
Immediate Action Necessary.
Thus was secured to the nation and to
all its future generations. practically
without cost. the opportunity for the
gradual building up in architecture
sculpture and landscape. Of a capital city
and, In the best sense of the term, the
most beautiful city the world has ever
known. To ensure this, however. a plan
Of development along the lines of the
old city plan must be Immediately adopt
ed.
Up to the present point the city has
grown we'll in its years Of slow increase
OF population and government needs. a
most fortunate beginning was made in
the architecture and location of the first
OF the Government buildings and in con-
formity with the original plan OF the
city Then followed a long period OF
dark age of architecture throughout the
country, during which the fortunately
few public buildings erected in Wash
ingtOn were designed and located in
disorderiy and thoughtless fashion.
Many millions of dollars were thus ex,
pended and we now have the permanent
granite Wood-pile Of the State. War and
Navy building. and the in-favOred and
ul-located PostOfTice az d Pension build
ings. These are useful as bad examples.
for such seem necessary in teaching
what good architecture is.
BY good fortune, however, hardly to
be expected and certainly not to be re-
lied on. the public spirited unofficial eff
forts Of a few individuals have resulted
in the appropriate designs and locations
Of the six great public buildings. includ-
ing the Union Railway Station now
under construction in the city. The COM
Irehensive study of the subject. enlbod-
led in the plans of the Senate Park
Commission, although unofficial and still
resting in the form of report 10 the
Senate Committee on the District of CO.
lumbia. was the moving spirit in this,
and powerfully illustrates the indispen-
ability of adopting end prescribing a
general plan and Ger ain fundamental
principles for the future growth OF both
the city and the District
The United States owns and controls
the District, the ground acquired when
the Government was organized. for its
Cwn independent and superior busine SIS.
This control is absolute and as perma-
uent as the Government itself.
The owner. Uncle Sam" viii always
live TO use and enjoy the location while
the generations of the people will come
and 90. each enjoying IL for brief
period-a mere fraction Of the time need
&C for its full development-the growth
OF oak trees and noble groves. the per-
manent setting of fine lawns, the ageing
of graceful classic buildings-tr ings
which the passing generations may sue
enjoy and contribute to the
development OF.
Precaution Is Advised.
But every step taken without the adop- |
ton of a plan looking to the future will |
surely be regretted later on. Just as !
the fathers of the Republic planned the |
national city, for eseeing the wonderful |
increase that has come 10 the nation, |
the present fathers of the yet greater |
and ever greater nation of the future |
should at once take the few simple and |
steps 10 ensure to the COM |
ing generations opportunities to add
their contribution with telling effect to |
the beautiful Upbuilding of the city and |
District. instead OF allowing those op- |
rOrtunities TO be destroyed forever.