The Washington herald., 1907-04-25


sibIitles in the building arts of this
country. to which those interested must
educate themselves, were the principal
features OF the banquet last night Of the
Architectural League Of America at the
New Willard. when the ninth annual
convention was brought TO a close. The
delegates were the guests OF the Wash
ington Architectural Club.
Commissioner II. l. West made the
principal address of the evening. He
took occasion, in paying his respects 10
the new president Of the league, J. P
Hynes. of Toronto. Canada, to say he
hoped that in time the geographical line
between the two countries on this con-
tinent would be eliminated, and that the
people would all be brothers. Mr.. Vests
remarks on this question were heartily
appiaMded.
describes City's Ideal.
Commissioner West said. in part:
1T may be asserted that We who reside
in the National Capital are naturally aHx-
ious on account Of personal reasons TO see
the city lifted to an ideal plane You
will. am sure, absolve US from any sor-
did consideration. We are Americans as
you are, and If we feel most keenly the
great work which remains TO be accom-
plished here, it is because long association
with the city has brought to our close
attention the possibilities OF the future
Much has already been done, but that
which remains 10 be secured IS fully as
frnportant. Foremost IN the scheme OF pub
lie improvement, OF course, is the trans
formation of the section OF the city lying
between Pennsylvania avenue and the
Mall into an extension of the latter this
park space to be utilized as the site OF
public buildings. Within this section the
POst-ofice Department already rears It's
commanding proportions, while the sun
more beautiful marble structure 10 be
occupied by the municipal authorities Is
Ga process OF erection. II does not require
even the imagination OF an architect 10
picture how greatly the beauty Of these
buildings would be enhanced by giving
them an environment of well-kept lawns
and uncovered roads
THE day will come, even though II be
a generation hence, when the scheme thus
outlined will be as real as the Washing
ton Monument, the White House, and the
Capitol are to-day. It viii come because
il is logical; because as the nation grows
the government will need sites for its
public buildings, and common sense, as
well as an appreciation OF artistic values,
will demand that these buildings be
erected, not in haphazard and disjointed
fashion. bat in accordance with wisely
conceived design. 1t viii come also be
cause the national pride in the capital is
growing, and the American people them
selves win indOrse every movement which
seeks the Identification Of the city.
Classic Model hest.
Through all the ages in which the in
tenigence OF man has wrought beauty out
OF the rough product Of the quarry, the
Greek temple. with its simplicity OF treat
ment and dignity Of proportion. has stood
supreme. Our father builded better than
they knew when they adopted this classic
style for to-day these structures appeal
20 US with a perennial beauty. II Is TO be
regretted that in some instances the elias
sic model has been departed from. / am
sure you viii agree with me in expressing
the hope that in the Washington of the
future We shall be spared architectural
experiments Of a doubtful nature. The
new marble buildings which flank the
Capitol plaza are. happily, of style
which is perpetually young, and in course
of time, when the front Of the Capitol
shall have been extended and an edifice
Tor the Federal judiciary placed contigu-
Gus TO the Library of Congress, We shall
have have a group OF public buildings
worthy Of the nation.
This completion of the Capitol plaza
IS as essential 10 our Identification as the
extension OF the Mall, a fact to which
Congress is undoubtedly fully alive. The
effect OF what has been already done is
percepubly uplifting. You cannot have
failed TO observe in Washington the high
standard of architecture manifested in
private construction. If the nation does
its part in Federal work, our citizens will
endeavor to maintain the same ideal Of
perfection. This is already evident, and
the result will be that Federal and pri-
vate construction will go hand in hand
toward a contamination that viii quicken
the pulse and stir the blood of every
American citizen with patriotic pride
''All will agree. I think. with the state
ment that it is the physical side of a
city-its attractive buildings, its broad
and clean streets. its parks, and its trees
which makes the initial and frequently
the lasting impression upon a visitor. We
have many of these physical attractions,
and we can have many more If Congress
is not niggardly in its provision for them.
Depends on Public Sentiment.
Congress reflects public sentiment, and
If that sentiment favors the steady inn
provement OF the National Capital there
will be no doubt OF the result Washing
ton will be to the United States wha,
Paris is TO France, Berlin to Germany, or
Vienna is to Austria. It is worth while to
note. however, that the efforts to improve
Washington are not confined to purely
physical matters. We are working under
the surface as il were, in order that ad-
verse social conditions may be remedied,
Not only in a physical sense. there
fore. do We seek the Improvement OF
Washington. but also along moral and
social lines. so that the city shall not be
lacking in any essential Of its ideal. We
as citizens Of the District OF Columbia
pledge our part toward making Washing
ton a capital worthy of this great nation
The work cannot however. be done by
US alone. We need the generous co-opera-
ton of the entire nation, and toward Sc
curing this aid We ask your sympathetic
and cordial assistance"
Distinguished Guests.
Waddy B. Wood. Of the Washington
Architectural Club, acted as POSTMASTER
Among the guests. in addition to Com
missioner West. were James Knox Tay
Tor supervising architect Of the Treasury
Charles NJ. Ffoulke. of Washington
Lloyd Warren, Of New York, president ol
the Beaux Art Society; Thomas Nelson
Page Of Washington; Representative
Richard Bartholdt. Of Missouri. chairman
OF the Committee on Buildings and
Grounds: Cass Gilbert. Of New York; J
II. Moser, president Of the Washington
Water Color Society, all OF whom, excep