The Washington herald., 1907-12-08
IN FAVOR OFGRANT STATUE
NEW WORKERS WOULD FOLLOW PLANS OF COMMISSION.

A controversy has arisen in Washing
ton over the site selected FOR the monu-
ment 70 Gen. Grant, which has some
threatening aspects, says the Utica
Herald. The monument. which is the
work OF Henry NJ. shrady. sculptor. and
Edward F. Casey. architect. takes the
form Of a reviewing stand two hundred
feet in length with an equestrian statue
OF General Grant in the center. and
groups representing cavalry and artillery
charges AT the ends.
For II Congress appropriated $4,000
The site chosen for this memorial by the
statue commission. composed Of Secretary
Taft. Gen. Dodge, Charles r. McKim.
Frederick Law Olmsted. and Col
BromweI, L. s. A.. in charge Of public
buildings and grounds, was within the
inclosure known as the Botanic Gardens
a portion Of a block at the foot Of thu
Capitol which. according TO the plan OF
the Park Commission for the artistic de-
velopment Of Washington. was TO be con
verted into an open square. giving en-
trance 10 the Mall.
Cutlery for the Trees.
Certain trees planted by or dedicated
70 the memory of former Members OF
Congress grew. unfortunately, upon this
site. and when it became apparent that
they would be sacrificed an outcry went
up from the superintendent Of the garden
and others which not only prevented the
progress of the work, but aroused I'M
reasoning opposition to the plan for the
treatment Of the Mall which Tas the
backbone OF the comprehensive scheme
Of Improvement by the gradual fulfill
ment of great plan So strong is the
feeling manifested that it has been
thought best to summon the statue com
mission to meet in Washington to re-
consider the site if the monument
1t is possible that this commission, hav-
ing authority from Congress and its spe-
cihc permission 10 place the monument
on any unOccupied ground within the
Botanic Gardens, will determine to con-
tinue the work as proposed, transplanting
the historic trees which have caused the
trouble; but II so the matter viii be
taken 10 Congress and the fight con-
tinued there. This will give opportunity
for those who for personal reasons oppose
the plan to block for an indefinite period
work which should be carried out with
the utmost expedition.
Created n Precedent.
The Park Commission, composed OF
Messrs. McKim. Durham. SaInt-Gaudens
and Olmsted, was created by a Senate
resolution In 1901 for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning 4 plan which would enable the
future development of Washington TO
proceed along the lines originally
planned-namely. the treatment of the
city as q civic work of art-and form the
outlying parks into unified system. In
a year their work was accomplished and
a repor. rendered. This gave great i'm
petus 20 city building and from it dates
the organization of similar commissions
for the artistic development of other
great municipalities
Chicago. st. Louis. New Orleans. Buff
falo. Cleveland. New York. and Boston
are ali prohting by the example set by
the National Capital through this Senate
commission The plan of the Park Com
mission reverts 10 the original one drawn
up under the direction of Washington
and Jefferson by TEnfant. and restores
the notable features from which diver
gence has been made. Its merits was
sufficiently patent and convincing TO inz
duce President Cassatt of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad to change at no small
sacrifice the location OF the new ter