Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-19
The Location of the Grant Memorial

| The Location of the Grant Memorial
| To the Editor of The Star:
| The location of the Grant monument
| on a portion of the Botanic Gardens
seems to have aroused the attention of
| the people, but few appreciate the reason
| why the site has been selected. While
| the preservation of trees appeals to low
ers of nature. and this appeal is intensi-
| fled If historic sentiment is associated
| with natural beauty, those of intelligence
and breadth of view will not allow senti-
ment to bias their judgment when greater
beauty and more dignity can be attained
by moving trees.
The park commission scheme for the
treatment of the Mall is beautiful,
harmonious and a magnificent compo-
sition. The suggestion for Union Square
and the location of the Grant monument
is one of the fundamental parts of this
composition
Should the moving of a few trees be
allowed to destroy the whole plan?
The subject resolves itself into a few
salient points. Were the park commits
sion capable men?
d. II. Burnham has the credit of the
stately Chicago exposition; he prepared
the comprehensive plan of Chicago, as
| well as the well-studed scheme for San
Francisco and Manila.
| Charles F. Mckim is acknowledged as
the first architect in this country. 1t
seems hardly necessary to mention his
work at Columbia University, New York;
the Boston library his reception of the
gold medal of England, the greatest honor
that can be conferred upon an architect.
Augustus Saint-taudens, the greatest
artist of the age. whose sculpture, whether
it be in low relief, single figure or monu-
mental composition are creations, that VIII
live and make our country and age mem
orable to the end of time
The firm of which Frederick Law Ohm
sted is member has designed, or acted in
consultation, for the great parks of the
country. 1t does not seem necessary that
we should mention his work in Central
Park, New York, Franklin Park and the
Fenway of Boston and Lincoln Park in
Chicago.
The personal record of the park COM
mission demonstrates clearly their fitness
for this work.
Did they consider the problem carefully
and conscientiousy
The commission entered upon their du-
ties enthusiastically without remuneration
They ignored their private work, studied
the topography and history of the Dis
trict of Columbia considered all schemes
submitted by other parties. investigated
on the ground, the planting, planning and
artistic adornment of the principal parks
and cities of Europe before making a
design for the future development OF
Washington city.
Did their report constitute a satisfactory
solution Of the problem?
This report. made In 1902, was received
with enthusiasm by cultivated and in
| telligent people in this country and
Europe. Its influence has aroused twenty
important cities in this country which
have appointed expert commissions to
| make plans for their future development.
The American Institute of Architects. the
national organization most capable of
| judging, has unanimously approved the
plan and advocates 1t with enthusiasm for
the development of Washington. Baron
Won lime. architect to the Emperor of
Germany; Sir Aston Webb, architect of
the great memorial to Queen Victoria in
London, and Owen Fleming. architect of
the board for reconstructing London. have
expressed to me their high appreciation of
the beauty, dignity and fitness of this
composition.
j. VI. poupinel, an eminent French archi-
| tect, secretary-general of the international
| congress of architects in Madrid, London
and Vienna, and Baron Stubben, an au-
! thority on city development, have both
expressed their unqualified approval of
| this scheme.
| 1t has been considered such great ar
tistic composition that It's publications are
| eagerly sought by municipal authorities
| in all parts of the world.
How does the plan aHect historic senu-
ment?
| The commission started unbiased, and
after mature study determined that the
true solution was the development of the
original plan, ignored for eighty years,
left us by George Washington. Nothing
could show a higher appreciation of the
intelligence and breadth of view of our
first President than to Immediately make
effective his views on the future develop
ment of the District of Columbia.
Is Union Square as proposed by the
park commission necessary as a part of
the composition?
Those who have studied the question
intelligently fully appreciate that it IT,.
The square Is necessary to prevent con-
gestion and give broad visual effect to the
land avenue and LIST street. The open
space is needed to give greater dignity to
the Capitol; the broadening at this point
is needed as base and starting point for
the great vista from the Capitol to the
Monument, which was a fundamental fea-
ture Of LEnfant's plan and dear to the
heart Of George Washington.
Believing the nation appreciates Grants
services in preserving the Union. which
is the site of honor for his memorial?
The park commission have designated
the Union Square in the present Botanic
Gardens as this place. The Washington
Monument in the center, the Grant statue
at the east the Lincoln memorial at the
west end of the Mall and the three con-
nected by the broad magnificent vista over
the beautiful green sward, not over bar
rem asphalt, links the names of our three
great historic figures.
Could the Grant monument have a more
honorable site, and should not all who
honor his name insist on his memorial
being placed in this situation?
Do we lose or do we gain trees under
the park commission scheme?
All the valuable trees which are in the
way of this improvement can be moved
with little risk. The planting as advo-
Gated by the commission will greatly in
crease the number, dignity and harmony
between buildings and trees on the east
of the Mall, while on the west of the
Mall a great forest is proposed where
now there is barren waste.
The composition for the development of
the city given by the park commission
will make Washington the most artistic
city in landscape parks and buildings in
the world. capital of which every Ameri-
can should justly feel proud. viii the
American people allow this scheme to be
spoiled because a few trees must be
moved to attain the great end? l have
sufficient confidence in the intelligence
cultivation and business capacity of our
people to believe that they will not toler-
ate such a move to the datriment OF their
Capital city. GLENN BROWN.
Tug Cushing Returns to Service.
The U. S. army quartermaster's depart
l. IL