The Washington herald., 1907-04-04
BUILDINGS TOO TALL
Prof. Raymond Says District
Laws Are Violated.
INTERESTS BLAMED
Animated Discussion Follows Adj
dress, in Hubbard Memorial Hall,
by MIR. Charles Moore on ''The
Preservation of Rock Greek VAL
ley for Park Purposes.

1.-THE law of the District limiting the
height of a building 20 the width of the
street upon which Il fronts is now being
violated. and the rich man can secure
the approval Of the Commissioners 20 a
further violation of this regulation" said
Prof G. W. Raymond, of George Wash
ington University, in a discussion follow
ing an address of Charles Moore, Of Bos-
ton, before the National Society of the
Fine Arts. in Hubbard Memorial Hall,
last night.
The address of MT. Moore on The
Preservation OF Rock Creek Valley for
Park Purposes" served as a prelude for
a discussion of ways and means for Sc
curing this desired end and arousing in
terest in the plan for the permanent
Identification of the city.
Selfish Interests Blamed.
Selfish interests in the erection of sky
scrapers' built with no regard for the
architectural beauty OF the surrounding
landscape. and the invasion Of land suit
able for public parks by business houses,
is the obstacle to be overcome" said
Prof Raymond. I'm this a difficult task
cenfronts u.s. for it IS possible TO interest
the public only so far as their pocket
books are concerned. Churches and
other buildings of architectural beauty
are overshadowed by the skyscraper,' and
the law relating 10 this is now violated
in the District"
Concerted Action Urged.
Addresses were made also by George A.
King and Rev. Frank SeWall. urging a
Of 9 Fqa
members Of the society in bringing TO the
attention of the Commissioners and in
urging upon Congress the adoption Of the
permanent plan for identifying the city
Col, Biddle. Engineer Commissioner of
the District, was present, but did not
enter the discussion.
Mr.. Moore who was formerly clerk Of
the Senate Committee on District Affairs.
outlined the work of the Rock Creek
Park Commission, advocating the adop-
ton OF their recommendations in regard
to the erection OF the Lincoln memorial
and the establishment OF Potomac Park.
Being men Of divided interests" he
said "the members of the commission are
to be congratulated upon their work,
though it is within the bounds Of truth TO
say that none of them has any training in
landscape architecture.
I'm order TO insure the preservation OF
Rock Creek Park, IL is necessary 10
arouse the interest OF those men having
the project directly in charge, and 10
place before Congress the advantages Of
retaining it as one of the beauty spots
OF Washington. With an appropriation
less than that required for filing IN Rock
Creek valley. bridges could be con
structed. roadways and walks installed,
and a development made OF the natural
advantages of the landscape The recon-
mendatiOns made by the park commission
in their last report are every one worthy
Of adoption
This work Of Identification should ex-
te.ld TO the Potomac Park and the Ara
costa fats. The Anacosua flats to-day
breed malaria as did those below the
White House in former years.
"A park is needed and would be appre-
Ciated by the residents Of that section Of
the city"
Plans for the permanent Identification
OF the city We're outlined by the lecturer
including the improving of the Mall and
the erection of the Lincoln Memorial. The
latter project, he stated, had received the
Endorsement of Secretary Root when Sec
rotary OF War.
In closing, Mr. Moore said he had not
presented an optimistic picture, but rather
a plain statement Of facts in relation to
the work of improving the city Co
operation of all the societies interested
in the project as well as the exerti0n of
individual work and influence, he said,
is necessary 10 insure success.
Mr.. Moore presented a number of views
OF Rock Creek Park and the parks Of
other cities.