Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-16
|PLANS FOR UNWILLING
OF L'ENFANT MONUMENT
Committee Endeavoring to
Supply Seats for Expected
Large Attendance.

Arrangements for the unveiling Of the
L Enfant memorial at the Ariinton ma
tonal cemetery next Monday afternoon.
at O'Clock, are nearing completion.
Announcement Is made that the COM
mittee having charge Of the arrangements
for the ceremony. with only limited
amount Of money to spend upon the de-
tails. is unable to have sufficient seats
for those expected to attend. A small
space in front of the portico Of the man
sion is the only available place for seats,
and these are very limited, being less
than 400 in number
But as the reserved space gives am
pie opportunity for seeing and hearing.
the committee believes that every one
will appreciate the reason why seats
have not been provided. and also that
the few to whom cards for seats have
been sent will esteem it an unusual
privilege to be allowed to take part in
this ceremony in honor Of the man
whose talent designed one Of the most
beautiful. charming and delightful
capital cities Of the whole world; city
for statesman. scholar. student. bust
ness man or workman; city with
parks. broad streets and beautiful Wis
tas on every side to delight the eye.'
and drives and walks to refresh and
brighten the lives Of those who work
or who come here from other towns
to enjoy the delights Of the capital
city.
Maj. L'Enfant's Career.
Maj. Charles Pierre L'Enfant came to
this country during the revolution. He
was first commissioned captain, then
major of the Corps Of Engineers. U. s. A.
He served upon Washington's staff, and
made a record for valiant and efficient
service, being wounded in South Carolina.
After the war he entered into the prac-
tice of architecture and engineering. lay
ing out the city of Buffalo, making ad-
ditions to Independence Hall. Phiiadel-
phia. and plans for a magnificent house
and garden for Robert Morris to vie with
Versailles and other French mansions.
This was never executed because OF the
financial difficulties of Robert Morris.
Knowing his genius, Washington select
ed him to make the plan for the federal
city.
LEnfant secured plans of all the prin-
cfpal cities Of Europe studied the prob
lem on the ground with George Washing
ton. and devised a scheme new In city
planning. Selecting prominent points on
which the principal buildings and monu-
ments were to be erected, and from the
monumental structures the streets were
to radiate. This system allowed for
direct connection of the principal struc-
lures and for reciprocity of sight between
them. 1t also gave dignif1ed, interesting
and beautiful Examinations to all vistas.
Paris and other cities have followed the
principle established by L'Enfant at the
cost of hundreds Of millions.
L'Enfant took active part in the orsan1-
zation Of the order Of the Cincinnati and
designed it's insignia. He designed and
superintended the construction of Fort
Washington on the Potoac and was OF
fered in 1872 the professorship OF ensi-
neering at West Point.
L'Enfant spent the last days Of his life
at Chilham Castle Manor, the estate OF
William Dudley Diggs, where he died in
1925 and was buried. His remains were
removed to Arlington in April, 1909.
The memorial to be unveiled bears
map of LEnfants city design and below
1t the following inscription:
pierre Charles LEnfant..
Engineer. Artist Soldier.
Under the direction OF George Washington
Designed the plan for the
Federal City.
Major L. S. Engineer Corps. 1852.
Charter Member of the Society of the
Cincinnati.
Designed its Certificate and Insignia
Born in Paris, France, August =. 1l.9
Died June IA. 1925. while residing at Chill
ham Castle Manor.
Prince George county. Maryland.
And was inferred there.
Reinforced at Arlington. April Is, 1%"