The Washington herald., 1910-12-18

While the past and the present of
Washington are of interest so far as its
development is concerned, the future Is
the determining factor in real estate in
vestment. If stagnation comes upon
city. real estate has reached its height
and is certain TO decline. II decline
has already set in, then follows a con-
diuoa in al industry which Josh Bill
ings graphically described as that when
everything seemed to be specially CREASED
for the occasion" So. what the future
may bring about in the way of growth.
increase, in population. and extent. and
what is being done and what viii be
done to promote the city's welfare, have
a most important bearing upon city
values
Without stopping to dwell upon the
very stable commercial foundation that
underlies the city. and which is very
much greater than at first sight may
appear, the great work OF permanent
establishment and improvement of the
city through the plans of the Park Com
mission Is one of the most tangible as
AtNo N4-aN NAt tAAS Aa-o III SiHAAN- 1t4SaN
who were privileged TO hear the descrip-
ton of the plan, as whole. given by
Glenn Brown. at the Chamber of Com
merce. last week. were struck by the
practical and perfectly feasible sugges-
tons that these plans contained.
Work Now Progressing.
But the most impressive feature of
the discourse was the proof that what
is being done in the way of Improvement
and addiSons of new department build
ings is in perfect harmony with these
suggestions, and that the plan is slowly
but surely being carried out in all that
is being done This is one OF the surest
indications that the great plan win be
ready for the striking treatment that
the artistic designs insure.
Mr. Browns description of the plans of
the Park Commission gives the best
idea of what is TO be carried out in the
center Of the city. He said, in part:
While the general arrangement is the
foundation of the scheme, many OF the
details of this composition are well
worthy OF attention II is proposed that
the Federal buildings for legislative pur-
poses should be grouped around the Cap
itoi. the Executive Department buildings
around the White House. and the soien-
tifc departments of the government
srhould face the Mall. The center of The
Mali sex the Monument to the Capitol
will be a carpet of green 500 feet wide.
bounded by four rows OF stately eIms on
the north and south. Beyond the elIns
may be seen white, classic buildings
Between the Washington Monument and
the Lincoln memorial is "A broad canal
200 feet wide, thanked on either side by
dense forests.
Union Square Described.
In addition to the Enclosure of the Cap
itoI grounds by classic structures on three
sides, a terrace on the west will
face Union Square. where the Mall
terminates From the center Of the
present terrace a fountain is TO
be brought TO the new terrace
by a series Of cascades TO a basin OF
no mean dimensions. in which fountains
will play and around the steps Of which
richly treated balustrades viii wind
Union Square, in which the Mall ter
inmates, is an important detail OF the
composition. II will have the new marble
terrace of the Capitol on the east. classic
white buildings on the north and south,
ard the Mall, with its vistaS, lawns. and
trees. on the west
This square is one of the conspicuous
and imposing points Of the general