Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-22
will Advocate Projects for
Identification of Capital.
IS ANXIOUS TO DO THINGS
Wants Park Commission Scheme to
Be Effective.
ROCK CREEK IMPROVEMENT
Boulevard Drives Through Gorge
Joining Potomac Park and Zoo.
Lincoln Memorial Plan.

President Taft has determined to place
| all the influence of his high position back
of the fr1e arts commission, and to in
terest himself personally in all plans for
the Identification Of Washington, which
may come to his notice during tho re-
mainder Of his term in the White House.
Ever. since his first official advent in
Washington. in 1890, when he became So
licitor general Of the United States. Mr..
Taft has been q firm advocate Of the ar
tistic development Of the city Of Wash
ington along definite and approved lines,
Park Commission Plan.
President Taft has now determined tc
crystalltze public sentiment not ONLY ,r
Congress. but among influential mer
everywhere, in favor Of the park commits.
sion scheme and to set legislative results
at the earliest possible moment. One of
MS early purposes Is to insure the con.
h hect,on, ny means Of boulevard drives.
P ply III ROCK OK. Creek Park and Potomac
which Rock creek flows between wash.
the river.
This undertaking is one, Of comparative
public enjoyment and approbation to the
square foot than any other Of the kind
that could be devised. It IL the suEges-
ton Of the artists who have considered
tne project that the government takings
should so extend on either side that
houses erected along the edge of the gorge
shall face 1t, thus obviating the unsiehtii-
ness or back yards abutting upon this
beautiful stretch OF pleasure ground.
only Few cheap houses will need to
removed IN Dc
little inexpensive landscape architec.
ture and the construction OF suitable
roadWays on either side of Rock Creek.
this improvement can be put through
quickly and economically.
Nothing has been done because hither-
10 this particular bit Of Qualification has
oeen nobody's business in partfcular
PRESIDENT Taft now intends to make II
his own. "
Lincoln Memorial.
The President proposes. also, to urge
the erection Of the Lincoln memorial at
the earliest possible moment This
scheme will work in conjunction with q
further suggestion OF the park commits
tended across the river from the portico
directly to the Lee mansion at Arlington.
Inls improvement can await the COM
plet1on OF the other. Eventually thew
will go hand in hand.
A third suggestion, earnestly urged
oy Gienn Brown. secretary Of the Amer
lean institute of Architects, az repre-
senting. also. the view of the artist
t era IN general, is the preservation Of
the Virginia side Of the river. The
public is familiar with the battle waeed
and won for the salvation OF the Pal
isades OF the Hudson opposite Yonkers,
and may understand that the Situation
At this writing the Wetmore bill for
taking land between the Capitol and
the Union station is hanging Are in
conference, with the possibility that
for the razing OF the buildings and the
parking OF the area will be thrown out
However, this Is an improvement which
IS bound to come, and along with 1t the
construction Of an avenue leading d.
rectly from the foot Of the Capitol to
the Union station wide enough for the
accommodation Of street cars as well Is
teams.
Grant Statue to Close Vista.
Tentative plans already made provide
for the termination Of this new avenue
at the Peace monument Glenn Brown
makes the suggestion, here published for
the frst time. that 1t would be much bet
ter II the avenue should. be 60 run as
to close the vista at the southwestern
end with the Grant instead of the Peace
monument.
The idea has appealed instantly to all
to whom 1t has been mentioned. The
Grant monument is q noble and i'm
posing piece Of sculpture, while the
Peace Monument, although an ex-
Quisitely beautiful creation, has none
Of the massive dignity which would At
1t to close the vista along an avenue
Of such fine proportions as that con-
templated. 1t may be said, in fact, that
the Peace Monument is out of place in
Its present site at the head Of Penn
sylvania avenue.
President Taft has a most useful and
enthusiastic sympathizer with his artistic
dreams in his secretary, Charles D. Nor
ton. Mr.. Norton has been one Of the fac
tors in the several schemes for the beau
LITIGATION of his own city Of Chicago. and
is entering with equal zest into the Pres
ident's plans for making Washington the
model city Of the country.
Congress has passed the Mccall bill es-
tablishing a commission OF fine arts.
While this commission is not clothed with
the most ample powers with respect to
local art projects, 1t can be said upon the
highest authority that President Taft will
give it's recommendations the most serious
Consideration.
In fact, as far as Mr. Taft is concerned
the days Of haphazard art in Washington
are over.