The Washington herald., 1908-03-07
FAVOR PARK PLAN FOR MALL
Washington Architects Approve
Park Commissions Outline.
Defend Erection of Grant Memorial
moving of HI-pInced Trees.

Vice President Fairbanks yesterday laid
before the Senate resolutions adopted by
the Washington Chapter Of the American
Institute OF Architects. favoring the Park
Commissions plan for the improvement
OF Washington
The resolutions declare that the pro-
posed vista treatment Of the Mall IS the
most logical. effective. and monumental
plan yet suggested. They approve the
proposed location OF the Grant memorial
and favor a complete plan OF planting
trees in allotted places. instead OF the
present Inartistic plan They declare that
economy VIII result from proceeding on
a fixed plan. with cooperation among
the various interests TO be conserved.
In explaining their attitude the Wash
ington architects say:
IN view Of the recently publicly ex-
pressed comments upon the proposed loca-
ton CT the Grant memorial adverse TO
the site. and condemning the destruction
OF trees. and a general denunciation Of the
whole plan Of which the location OF this
monument Is a part, II seems proper for
a local association OF men practiclng a
profession involving the study and deci-
sion Of similar problems 10 express their
opinion IN regard 20 this criticism. and to
point out what they deem 20 be naIscon-
ceptions OF the dominating plan, and mac
curacies regarding some Of the details
we are in hearty accord with all ef-
forts 20 preserve trees both IN the parks
and streets. and will render all aid in
our power to avert the destruction OF any
Of them. We suggest. however. that
records viii show that trees can be
moved with safety when occasion de-
mands IL, and we assume that due con-
sideration was given 10 this question in
the case OF the location OF the Grant
monument. and that the trees under dis
cussion were found by some competent
authority TO be unworthy Of the labor
involved 20 move them. We can under
stand and sympathize with the aversion
to a change on the part of those who
planted the trees and have watched them
grow TO maturity. 1t Is a misfortune not
only TO these individuals. but to the city.
that no guiding hand pointed out their
proper location. in accord with general
scheme Of the whole extent Of the Mall. IN
the lack OF which, separate and unrelated
paintings have been dotted in It: these
paintings having in each case their main
axis crossing that Of the Mall
We are in favor OF the location OF
public buildings on the south side of
Pennsylvania avenue, which is a part Of
the plan as recommended by the Park
Commission. We deplore the fact that
this commission has not the legal stand
ing to which its plans and its member
ship entitle it, and we regret that this
primal recognition has not been given.
ITO US, however, the dominating need
is that the laying out Of the rOadways.
parks. &c. and the location OF the pub
lie buildings, statues. &c, shall be made
in accordance with a coherent and com
plete plan; coherent in that il shall
provide for the proper and seer1ly rela-
uons of the parts one to the other: com
plete in that It shall provide for all of
the various needs present or anticipated
for the Capital City Of the nation. prom
ising the future that we look forward to
for our own.
This city is fortunate In having been
born by such a plan, which has been re-
viewed by a commission composed of
men whose qualifications cannot be sue
cessfully challenged. and they have rec
commended its readoptIon. No other plan
similarly considered has been presented. ."