Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-03
TO AWAKEN CIVIC PRIDE.
development Of Washington City"
Discussed bv Glenn Brown.

SSNcSSN ~ SASAAA@ A~AS"AA'
"The Development of Washington City"
was the subject of lecture by Mr.. Glenn
Brown last evening at the Public Library.
The fourth in course of popular lectures
arranged under the auspices of the Ma
tional Society of the Fine Arts, its purpose
was to awaken civic pride and to set before
the people in tangible form the park COM
missions plans for the beautifying of the
home city. Forty or fifty stereopticon views
were shown illustrating both the work pro-
posed and that in progress. and concise, Or
derby but ample eXpla nations and deScrfp-
tons were given.
"In the early development of the country
people at large" Mr.. Brown said, "appre-
ciated and demanded beauty in civic plan
ming, and this interest of our forefathers
eliminated in efforts to obtain the highest
type of beauty and utility in their capital
city. Washington and Jefferson exhibited
an active personal interest in the plan of
Washington city, and LEnfant presented
great artistic composition in his design with
its proposed park treatment, radfal streets,
beautiful vistas and grouping of federal
buildings. Like a seed in fertile soil, there
fore, came the report of the park commits
sion-a commission composed of Charles E.
McKim. D. Fl. Durham, Augustus ST. eau
dens and F. L. Olmstead. artists of educa,
ton, experience and refinement who had
shown their capacity in executed work.
This report was presented January 10, 1902.
and at least $25,OOO,O00 worth of work Is
now In progress III accoroahce with us oe-
sign
Placing upon the screen reproductions of
the two models presented by the park COM
mission with its report, Mr. Brown pro-
ceeded to show how a want of sympathy In
well-meaning people has nearly destroyed
the great original composition by permit
ting each park, monument and building to
be designed as an entity without relation
to any other, and how out of this jumbled
and conglomerate mass it were possible to
bring dignity, charm and order. The sim
plicty and advantages of the proposed
scheme were then studied. General plans
were shown and perspective views, exqui-
sitely rendered and colored, of the several
more important features, such as the Mall
vista, the lagoons, the Lincoln Memorial
and the memorial to the Constitution build
ers, were exhibited. And in connection
with the plans for the dignifying of the
Washington Monument by architectural
setting tribute to its beauty and symbol
ism was read and a pictorial illustration
displayed.
But in addition to the more direct sugges-
tons of the park commission recommended
lions were made, Mr.. Brown explained for
the future growth and development of the
city. The acquisition of new tracts of
land necessary to round out the present
park system was urged as well as the de-
STABILITY of preserving the Palisades Of the
Potomac, and of retaining marshes and
making a water park of the Eastern
branch, which is now a disreputable-look-
ing sheet of water.
The preservation of Rock Creek valley as
park was then touched upon and strongly
advocated. There is movement on foot
at the present time Mr.. Brown said ito
conduct Rock creek through a tunnel and
fill in the valley between Washington and
Georgetown. The object being commercial
gain. the loss thereby has not been count
ed-but the cost of this process. it has been
estimated, would be greater than that Of
parking and bridging
Pictures were shown of the valley and
It's proposed treatment, as well as the solu
tons of similar problems in other cities,
both in America and in foreign lands. AS
survey Is at the present time in progress
to determine which course shall be pursued
1t was regarded as of timely interest and
especial import that Mr.. Frederick Law
Olmstead, the authority on landscape ar
chitecture, had recently been over the
ground and declared that the scheme of
parking is as practicable and desirable now
as when the original report was made.
In conclusion Mr.. Brown drew attention
to the necessity of giving such an expert
advisory commission legal as well as a
moral status.
How to foster and maintain the present
movement in the right direction; how to
control the landscape, statuary, buildings
and paintings so that the one will enhance,
dignity and beautify the other are import
ant questions to decide" he said. "A long
period will elapse before our artistic growth
reaches maturity and it will need the con-
slant watchfulness and guidance Of those
most skilled In the knowledge of the sub
| ject during Its period Of immaturity. This
guidance cannot be given by unframed Off
Gals, however patriotic and high-minded,
who are wanting in knowledge and expe-
Renee. It can only with safety be intrust-
| ed to men selected because of their ac-
knewledged skill and fitness. Large sums of
money will soon be expended by the federal
government for city building, and the plea
| Is that it may be spent in judicious and
economical way, and that the country and
the people at large may get the advantage
OF the beauty and economy which will re-
suit from experienced advice Hinder the
guidance of such a permanent Commission.
each branch Of art, being under the same
control, would be designed to have It's rela-
tive value in the composition, and thus
of the most beautiful capitals in the world !"