The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-01-24
A MONUMENTAL PARK.
Suggestion Which Does Away with
the Hall of Statuary.

the Hall of Statunry.
Editor The Washington Herald:
Mr.. Thomas Nelson Page has again
written brilliant article on American
art. Although professional men may not
fully agree with him on several points.
his article is nevertheless educative. But
this distinguished writer, like many 9TH
err critics, condemns in a sweeping man
her. without analysing. the Statuary Hall
in the Capitol Building. That poor hall,
which Congress intended to be a Hall Of
Fame. the public. the artists, and the art
critics persist in calling a chamber OF
horrors. And it is amusing for a listener
to hear the opinions Of the crowds that
daily visit the hall. The two statues
from Texas are called the twin Freaks
the statue from Idaho. the pot belly
&c. 1t is undeniable that the general
effect Of the hall lends itself to ridicule.
but no one in particular is to blame toe
this state of affairs. Years ago. when
Congress decided that every State in
the Union should have the right to erect
two statues of it's great men or wom-
en- in the Capitol. and that hall was as
signed for this purpose. it could not be
realized until demonstrated by facts that
the piling up in a row of SO many por-
trait statues of various sizes and mate
rails was fundamentally wrong. For.
even If every one of the statues was
masterpiece. heterogeneous mixture
would always be produced. which would
be inexcusable in that or any other
place.
1t must be admitted. however, that the
majority of the statues are artistically
inferior, and rather a disgrace to the
State which sends them: but there are a
good many which are good. and. for in
stance. the Washington by Houdon, the
Garfield. Allen. and Morton by Charles
H. NiehauS, the Carroll and Hanson by
Brook. the Lew Wallace by O'Connor,
and the Clinton by H. K. Brown, are
works Of art of high order. and above
all, the Cass by Daniel Chester French.
the masterpiece of the hall, would be
classified as masterpiece in any gallery
here or abroad.
But. strange to say, neither Mr.. Page
nor any of the critics who so sweepingly
turn down the whole collection of the
statues. suggests any way to improve
existing conditions. 1t is the wish of
the American people to have the Statuary
Hall somewhere in the Capitol. but to any
one familiar with the building. it is ap-
parent that there is no loom for 1t. and
in any place or room in the building
would produce the same undesirable Ell.
feet as the present one. But Congress
having decided to buy the land between
the Union Station and the Capitol, has in
it's power a magnificent opportunity to
'yolve the problem. The land between g
street and the Union Station can be moth
ing else, of course. but a plaza for the
station, but the land between G street
and the Capitol will become esthetically
an integral part of the Capitol grounds
and will lend itself for the purpose of a
grand monumental park. a park where
every State in the Union may erect a
small temple or monument to great
man. 1t will not require much money to
make it so; it is only a question Of plans.
so that it shall be in perfect harmony
with and a identifying addition to the
Capitol and each State can provide ts
own monument.
There can be no doubt that every State
will consider that it is a great honor to
any man or woman to have such me-
mortal in the United States Capitol
grounds. And those States whose great
men are artistically misrepresented in
this hall would thus be given a chance
to replace the present with better work.
T.