New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-02
New Homes for Three National Departments

locations in which they are scattered
throughout the city.
Nhen completed, this group will go far
toward realizing that ideal of the city
planners who wish 20 devote the whole
space south Of Pennsylvania avenue. be-
/ tween ii and the Mall. from the Capitol IN
me treasury 10 government buildings Al
ready the Botanical Gardens. the National
Museum, the POstoffice and the Municipal
Building occupy this area
Colonel Spencer Cosby, Superintendent OF
Public Buildings and Grounds under
whose direction and personal supervision
all Of the land lying west OF the monu-
ment has been reclaimed and transformed
into magnificent park. has given the
most careful study 10 the plans for the
Identification Of that section between the
monument and the site upon which II is
purposed 10 erect the Lincoln memorial.
While carrying out the idea OF the park
commission appointed by the Senate ten
years ago Colonel Cosby has about com.
pleted plans in more elaborate detail for a.
great national playground. Starting from
point several hundred yards west OF the
monument lagoon 2,lO0 feet long and 20
feet wide will be built. II will extend TO
the site of the proposed Lincoln memorial
and will be used for boating in the summer
and skating in the winter.
Seen from the monument this lagoon, or
canal, similar in character and general
treatment 10 the canals al Versailles and
Fontaineheau and at Hampton Court. in
England, introduces into the formal land
scape an element of repose and beauty. AZ
the head of the lagoon great round point,
placed on the main axis OF the Capitoi and
the monument. becomes a gate OF approach
% the park system OF the District OF Co.
lumhia. Centring upon il as a great point
OF reunion are 10 be the drives leading
southeast 10 Potomac Park and northwest
by the Riverside Drive 10 the Rock Creek
system OF parks. Growing the round
point IL is proposed 10 erect the memorial
20 Lincoln.
Colonel Cosby has further arranged for
twelve baseball diamonds. several tennis
courts, croquet and polo grounds for the
older folks and various amusement grounds
for children.
Potomac Park. which occupies a site
once "graced' with swamps. dumping
grounds etc, has become most popular
with the citizens OF Washington. more es-
pecally the lovers OF horseback riding. ear
rage driving or automobiling Mrs. TAFT.
shortly after entering the White House.
conceived the idea OF holding band concerts
I'm Potomac Park az least twice week.
Mrs Tart confided her idea OF the Potomac
concerts 10 Colonel Cosby. who made the
plans and had an artistic bandstand erected
there, noe far from the new concrete
bridge which spans the channel between the
tidal reservoir and the Potomac. The en-
trance 10 Potomac Park which occupies
7S9 acres OF reclaimed swamp. is marked
by a two story stone building erected
nearly one hundred years ago.
other changes which have served TO make
this section of Washington attractive are
the fine white marble buildings of the
Pan-American Union. which cost N.oooco.
and OF the Memorial Continental Hall.
which cost about 100000. Congress. at its
last session ordered the White House
stables. which have been a blot on tho
landscape south OF the State. War and
Navy departments and Immediately across
from the Corcoran Art Gallery. removed.
At the foot OF nth street the monument
TO John Paul Jones is to be erected ana
unveiled next fall.