New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-18
= F. wKIM DECLINES
OPPOSES LINCOLN Plans.
emit .Serre on Site Commission
Council of Fine Arts Report.

Charles F. McKim. head Of the firm Of Nc
-. Mead & White, has written a letter to
s1a-.essytative Samuel ". Mccall declining TO
~. IS p member of the commission provided
by Mr.. Mccall in a bill introduced by him
> congress about a week ago to report the
,aitio7 Of a site in washington for great
-,ncoln memorial
~ Mccall had INTRODUCED measure provid-
= Gar he erection of memorial on land be-
.-ssn the rev Union Station and the Capitol,
=. This plan was not approved by the Ameri-
= institute Of Architects. and the bill. which
!. rras originally intended TO pass in time for
nature on Lincoln's Birthday, was allowed TO
slunlbeT-
on January II the American Institute OF Az
.bifects proposed to the President the forma-
.,on ~ council of fine arts, to report among
- things on a Lincoln memorial. The report
n this council first appears in The Tribune to-
s.r Il indorses the old Park Commission plan,
.ns il is because ne was member of the Park
commission that Mr. McKim feels he cannot
&c On Mr.. McCalrs proposed commission.
The other members Of the commission named
= A. NcCslrs bill are the ehairmen of the
rihysry committees of the Senate and House
= representatives. the Secretary OF War, FL
vo,+ woods. superintendent Of the Capitol build
,nr and grounds. and as experts, John NJ. Car
ave n the firm Of Carrere & Hastings. and
r.nie1 6. Burnham, who was. like Mr.. McKim.
, member Of the Park Commission.
ur MeKina-s letter to Mr.. Mccall, dated Feb
rusry H. follows;
an Informed that in bill which you have
presented - congress have been nance nance q o1
Il TIE experts on commission TO select a ste
and secure a design for a Lincoln memorial IN
e. member of The Park Commission have
STUDIED for 8 number OF years me eeiltIS s ~
tjcoiariv the location and character of the Lin
coln memorial and haze area qy eHpFeS7y issi ig
thai the site selected by the commission Is ne
design approved by the commission is emlnently
The President has referred this question to
,o,snrii II the fine arts composed Of thirty
perts. Of which am a member The council has
s09siars % ie rR}s5 ana mas
You Eiil understand therefore that, under the
commission Of which you have done the honor
70 propose me as member.
me plan approved by the Council Of the Fine
Arts is the one Of the Park Commission, invoIv-
ing tire treatment of the Mall and a bridge
across the Potomac. Sketches Of this plan ap-
resred in The Tribune on January IS. with the
announcement Of the appointment Of the Council
of the Fine Arts and details of the plan. ap-
prevail Of which bv the council is expected. The
report of the council to the President. dated
February H. follows
Ire Council n the Fine Arts has been requested
and location Of the Lincoln memorial
We are q The opinion that the memorial should
nsnt and mat it should be placed in the city Of
The Council has examined. as far possible
the three propositio for memorial 10 Abraham
Tbe srss Of tfess nropositions contenlplates a
memorial highway from Washington 70 GETTYSBURG:
projee Ne do not feci that It would fulhl the Pur-
The second pTopoSltlon contemplate a Ilohu-
ment the character Of which is still to be deter
indlested on the accompanying plan and lying in
gsnerai Eay between The Capitol ana IN. the Gnion
would almost Of necessity in a northerlF di-
Ts raf7e p9stion n Of the Capitol and the
rrion Station. their marked difference in scale Of
design and the fact that there IS rapid descent OF
tie ground from The capito to the station combine
Hraent OF the dignity and grandeur which the peo-
PIE viii demand IN 3 memorial 10 Abraham LIN
For these reasons we consider this site most
Improper and undesirable one for this monument,
although believe that II should in some way be
The third proposition contemplates the placing
q The Lincoln memorial or a line drawn from the
Capitol through the Washington Monument al a
q me plan Of the city and Of the land itself has
&c Us . the opinion that whatever may be the
develepment Of this main axis. already estab-
msnt, IS an absolutely necessary condition if the
best result is TO be obtained
he most commanding situation which it is possible
% imagine With proper development OF me
Nan and its extension 20 the monument there VIII
be formed one of the most magnificent Vfstas IN
any city Of the world. which cannot he more Mt
tngly Terminated than by a memorial TO Abraham
Lincoln fitting monument this site would
furthermore Se conspicuous OBJECT as seen nom
egery surrounding euainsnCe-
n selecting this location IL should be borne IN
MIND that the placing OF our great national InonuS
EentE is not a question Of the moment only. but or
planning for the finest possible ultimate develop
Hent OF the city
Per these reasons she council recommends the
tdopsioH Of this site for a memorial 10 Abraham
Lincoln