The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-24
Mr.. BROWN.
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most skilled artists were sought and
secured; birth, locality, or political af-
citations had no influence in their selec-
ton Experiments in art were not toll
Grated. while established or fundamen-
tai principles We're insisted upon. Dur
ing the first fifty years Of the republic
this striving to attain the beautiful was
ZealOUsly maintained.
A dark period in Federal art began
about 1880 and continued without ray
Of light for nearly fifty years. This de-
probation which has been most marked
in the growth of Washington city was
due TO the lack of interest shown by the
Presidents Of the period in the subject,
and to legislation which ignored the
noble and artistic scheme left by the
Father of the Republic. The value of a
composition as a whole was apparently
forgotten and each building. park. and
monument was authorized TO be treated
individually, without reference 10 the
general plan or TO any high artistic
standard. This produced discord and
destroyed the harmony which was
shown between the various parts of the
composition in the IEnfant plan.
The future presents an opportunity
which is broad and far-reaching. The
Federal Government should be the great
agent for disseminating the ennObling
and educative influence Of art among
the people through the artistic character
Of the buildings. parks, statuary, and
paintings. constructed or authorized by
its departments and should at the same
time he securing the monetary advan-
-tage which goes with beauty. While IL
may be difficult TO appreciate this good
influence, history shows that the most
virile races, those whose wealth has
been the greatest and whose influence
upon the world has been the most last
ing are the nations where art flOurished.
Egypt, Assyria, Greece, Rome, France.
and Japan, the nations noted for their
art, are at the same time most noted for
their strength and virility.
To obtain economy in the transaction
Of business the Government now needs
buildings for the Departments of JUS
tiCe, Commerce and Labor, War, and the
Navy, for the Geological Survey. a Hall
of Records. and the Supreme Court. The
need for new buildings will increase IN
direct proportion to our population. The
rental now paid TO private individuals
is $35O,0O0 year. Secretary Metcalf as
serts that a yearly saving could be
made in administration Of his depart
ment of $4,000 by housing it in one
building. The same ratio applied to
other departments, now renting offices,
would show a total saving of S25O,0O0
a year. The total OF the actual rentals
and the saving in administration. $780,
600 a year, would justify, as a good bust
ness transaction, the expenditure of at
least 100000 in new buildings to &C
cOmmOdate the present needs Of the
various departments.
Many monuments and places of statu-
arv COMMUNICATING distinguished Amer
leans or historical events are under con-
sideration by Congress, The Lincoln
Memorial is awaiting a decision on the
character Of its design and the selection
of a proper site. The most suitable IOca-
ticn Of the statues to Grant and McClel-
Ian IS still open to discussion. MOnu-
ments have been authorized to SteUben,
Pulaski, and Kosciusko, and Congress
has under consideration statues to Paul
Jones, Maurys L'Enfant, Longfellow,
Meigs, Barry. Sigel the private soldiers,
the Indian Buffalo Hunt, and Christopher
Columbus for Washington city, and
twelve monuments in other parts Of the
country.
The enlargement and development Of
the parks require immediate and care
ful consideration. The planting of the
Mall, its relations TO and connections
with the Riverside and other park areas,
needs quick action to prevent encroach-
ments. The areas north and south of
the Mall require intelligent study so that
the buildings which may be erected in
these areas may conform TO and be in