The Washington herald., 1911-07-26

In the high ambition TO make Wash
ington the foremost Of the worlds capt.
tails, decisive step forward was taken
yesterday. The Lincoln memorial pro-
ject assumed a new phase.
At the White House a vision was con-
jured up, blue prints and drawings were
spread out tefore President Taft, and a
mighty pile Of marble, in tribute to the
Great Emancipator, was shown as a
reality of the not distant future. The
Lincoln Memorial Commission made
public the report which has been so
eagerly awaited.
OF the many sites proposed for the me-
mortal, Potomac Park Is the unanimous
choice of the Fine Arts Commission.
This decision was generally expected.
The report dwells upon the spaciousness
of the park, its isolation and majesty
far from the marts and hum Of traffic
in the city, and its opportunity for et-
fects of grandeur and solemnity.
Commissions Personnel.
Members of the commission who met
with the President were Speaker Champ
Clark. former Speaker Cannon. Senator
wetmore, of Rhode Island; Representa-
tive Mccall, of Massachusetts,, and for
mer Senator Money, Of Mississippi.
joint meeting with the Fine Arts Com
mission will be held in the next two
weeks, and the Potomac Park territory
will be carefully gone over for final de-
cision.
A memorial hat shall harmonic with
the Monument and the Capitol, with
both of which it will be linked in the
splendid Mall vista of the future, is de-
sired In order not to conflict with the
Monument, 1t cannot depend for its ef-
feet upon altitude. Yet II must be large
and ample a memorial that shall endurs
as the permanent tribute of this nation
to one of its immortals. 1t cannot be
mere statue, however elaborate, nor sug-
gest a tomb, which 1t will not be. II
will probably partake of the nature OF
a temple along Grecian lines, or a
memorial similar to the one recently un-
veiled in Rome In honor Of King Victor
Emmanuel.
As a supplemental feature. the Potomac
memorial bridge to Arlington is again
suggested in the report OF the commis-
sion This probably will be provided by
Congress shortly after the memorial Is
erected.
The Meridian Hill site. on the crest OF
Sixteenth street. was rejected 1t Is de-
clared the hill Is not an adequate setting
that the only argument in its favor Is
the splendid vista from the White House
I'D Sixteenth street. Other sites, such
as the one in the proposed park between
the Union Station and the Capitol, and
other sites In the Mall. were rejected as
lacking In fitness. The commission em-
phasizes the point that the memorial
should not be placed In the business Sec
ton of the city, but should be solitary
and apart In its grandeur, dominating
the scene from all sides.
The report OF the commission. subpit-
ted to the Lincoln Memorial commits
sion, continues:
John Hays Opinion.
The Lincoln Memorial would have its
dignity enhafced by being placed on
site upon the main east and west axis,
in line with the Capitol and the WASH
ington Monument II Is now ten years
since the Potomac Park site was arst
suggested for memorial tn Lincoln.
Among those with whom the location
found favor was the late john Hay.
whose rank in ste tesmanship and ,yhozo
taste In matters OF art. combine to give
value to his opinion. He said
AS I understand II. the place OF
honor Is on the main axis OF the plan
Lincoln, Of all Americans next TO Wash
InRton, deserves this place OF honor. He
was OF the irnmortals. You must not ap-
proach too close 70 the lmmortais Ilis
should stand alone, remate
from the common habitation of man.
apart from the business and turmoil OF
the city; isolated. distinguished. and
serene. OF all the sites. .this ono. near
The Potomac 10 most suited % tn> pur'