New-York tribune., 1909-01-18

arrangement should be left to the direction Of
the American Institute Of Architects, in conao-
orstion with the supervising Architect OF the
Treasury. Yours very respectfully.
'ror the committee,
Csignedj GLENN BROWN,
Comrnittee-Cass Gilbert 8. p. P Trowbridge.
Fargo. George +. Post and Robert s PEABODY
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
The Presidents reply to this letter follows:
January H. 1909.
Gentlemen; I cordially agree with your letter
of January II. 1909: and approve the recon-
mendations you make J request you to desiG-
nate the names OF thirty men representing all
parts Of the country to compose such council
you suggest. ! understand. of course. that
men representing the West often found in
New York and other large cities. simply be
cause their work IS done in such cities
I fhaH direct ali my Cabinet officers to refer
to the council for their expert advice all mat
fers in their charge embracing architecture, Sc
lection of sites, and landscape work, sculpture
and painting. Moreover. 1 shall request the
council to watch legislation and on its own
Initiative TO make public recommendations to
the Executive and to Congress with regard TO
proposed changes in existing monuments. or
with regard to any new project. earnestly ad-
wise your body TO take Immediate steps to secure
1he enactment OF law giving permanent erect
10 what am directing to be done. The course
you advocate and which l approve. should not
he peTmssive with the Executive; il should be
MADE mandatory upon him by act Of Congress.
shall request the council Immediately To re-
port and give their opinion on the character ana
location OF the Lincoln Memorial. suggested
IN the resolutions passed by the board of direc-
tors Of the American Institute of Architects.
I heartily thank your body for this wise and
rat-sotic ac+<or ,..i,b lin cao,1ra n .be Amer
Jean public what is literally priceless advice
from the best men in the several artistic profeS-
sions throughout the country al large Sin
cerely yours. THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Msssrs. Cass Gilbert.
8 3. r. TroVbridge.
William A. Boring,
Glenn Brown.
= c. Grant La Fargo,
George 3 Post.
Robert :. Peabody
Committee American Institute OF Architects.
The OCtagon, Washington. d c
ORIGINAL LINCOLN MEMORIAL PLAN.
The Lincoln Memorial project favored by
President Roosevelt and the American lnsu-
tute Of Architects is that proposed in 1901 In
the comprehensive plans for the development OF
the National Capitol prepared by the commits
sion. consisting Of Daniel H. Burnham, Charles
f McKim. Augustus Saint Gaudens and Fred
serick Law OImstead. jr. These provided for the
ella borate treatment of the Nell, extending from
the base Of the Capitol and fianked along most
Of its length by classic departmental buildings
several Of which are to-day approaching COM
pletion past the Washington Monument 10 4
memorial bridge in honor of American valor
leading directly across the Potomac 10 the Man
sion House at Arlington on this axis. near
gHe enu OF lIe DTiOSt- q sifdA ASiiN Fo-4AN ~0
gateway 10 the park systems radiating north
west and southeast was planned. The commits
sion. in lis report which was accompanied by
detailed drawings and plans, SAID:
Growing the rond point as the Arc de Tri-
pmphe crowns the Place de IEtoile, at Paris
should stand a memorial erected TO the memory
of that one man in our history as n8uon WHO
Is worthy TO be named with George Washington
Abraham Lincoln.
Whatever may be The exact form selected for
hs "a lincoln II should pos
the quality OF universally. and also II
should have character essentially dlsunct
from that OF any monument either now existing
in the District or hereafter to be erected. Ihe
type which the commission has IN mind Is a
great portiCo of Doric columns rising from an
unbrokerl stylobate This portico. while anord-
ing point OF vantage from which one obtains
commanding outlook both upon the river and
eastward to the Capitol. has for its chief func-
tion 10 support a panel bearing an inscription
1aker either from the Gettysburg speech or from
or the. immortal messages o. iHe
savior Of the Union
The portico contemplated in the plans, con-
sistfng of columns forty feet in height. occupies
& space of 80 feet in length and 30 feet in
width: Il is approached by flights OF stairs on
the east and the west, is embelished with ap-
propriate groups of sculpture, and is surTnounted
+ by = central croWrang group OF statuary. AT the
head OF the canal. at the eastern approach to
the memorial. il is proposed TO place d statue of
= Abraham Lincoln while surrounding the memo
rial and framing il are linden trees planted
four rows deep. TO form Peristyle of green
from which radiate various avenues centring
upon the memorial itself
II has also heen learned that the President
has asked the American Institute Of Architects
through its president. Cass Gilbert, to guard
she White House and protect the present struct-
IRE from any change architecturally.
Mr. Gilbert has replied that the institute will
follow the Chief Executives request. The Pres
ident has made number OF changes in the
White House during his administrations and Is
anxious that the building shall he left as it is.
WEALTHY WOMAN ENTERS CORNELL.