Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
The Lincoln Memorial.

Elsewhere in The Star today is re-
printed from the New York Times an
article comprising the views entertained
on the subject of the proposed Lincoln
memorial by q number of residents Of
that city who are prominent in move
ments for the artistic development Of
American cities and for fuller expression
of patriotic sentiment. These citizens
agree that the national memorial in this
city to Lincoln should be distinctive and
monumental. BETTING the character and
services of the war President. They ia
vor one or another of the three projects
which have been advanced-an architect
ural creation on the Potomac river bank
in conjunction with the proposed Memo
rial bridge; a periStyle the Union
station plaza, and boulevard joining
Washington and Gettysburg. They are,
however, of one view regarding the ur-
gency of the proposition to start definite
ly upon the evolution of some form Of
memorial without further delay.
These sentiments are undoubtedly ex-
pressive of the desire of the American
people to erect in Washington a suitable
tribute to Lincoln, fitting in with the
general scheme of capital improvement
acter as symbol of the great patriot
whose labors for the nation were so
fruitful of permanent benefit to the peo-
pie. The matter is now before Congress
for final consideration. Each of the three
plans has its advocates. A little more
than a month hence the centenary Of
Lincoln's birth will be commemorated at
the Capitol, and 1t is the hope of those
-hn cfl ctr
sional action that the day will be marked
by the final enactment of a law definitely
committing the government to the erec-
ton of a great national memorial to
the man who prevented the dissolution
OF the Union.
Whatever action is taken, whichever of
the projects is favored, the two houses
should on the 18th of February stand
recorded as approving some adequate
form of memorial. 1t has been suggested
that the surest way to obtain results will
be to pass bill creating commission
clothed with full power to select a plan
and to proceed with it's execution, the
measure carrying a sufficient appropria-
ton to ensure the satisfactory location and
completion of the memorial. But If Con-
gress prefers to choose itself between the
several projects now urged, it should
proceed promptly with this task and
aim to consummate the definitive enact
ment by the 18th Of February.
In this connection an interesting com.
munication Is printed in today's issue
from the secretary OF the American In
stitute of Architects, who directs atten-
ton to the resolution adopted by that or
ganization in convention in this city last
month indorsing the park commission
project OF placing the Lincoln memorial
on the river bank. The people of Wash
ington have been for years seeking from
Congress legislation for the construction
of Memorial bridge joining the rive
park and Arlington. With such q bridge
in service it's Washington terminal would
be an appropriate site for the Lincoln
memorial, being an objective Of trave
and easily accessible. The two plans
are in large measure interdependent. Ad
vocacy of the river-site plan for the
national Lincoln tribute virtually in
wolves simultaneous advocacy Of the
Memorial bridge.