New-York tribune., 1912-01-07
Product of Henry Bacon's skill
Will Be an Impressive and
Beautiful Landmark
in the Capitol of
the Nation.

ENRY BACON, the New York ar
" chitect, unanimously chosen by the
Il Il Commission of Fine Arts to make
a design for a memorial to the memory Oh
Abraham Lincoln in the city OF Washing
ton, recently submitted to the Lincoln Me-
mortal Commission of which President
Taft is the chairman his report. and the
drawings photographs and models which
accompany 1t.
Mr. Bacon is quiet spoken man of forty
five. He has designed many monuments
II is doubtful. however, II he has before
In his professional life been so profoundly
stirred, experienced the same poetic I'M
pulses or dreamed as many dreams as
during the months since his appointment to
evolve the Lincoln Memorial.
II is a problem in its every aspect allur-
ing TO an artist. 1t is more than fascinat-
ing. 1t has been an all-absorbing occupa-
ton TO design for a people and for all time
a memorial TO the memory of the man who
was almost as tender hearted as a woman,
devoid Of the least affectation, simple, d-
rect, Of inexhaustible patience, lover Of
manliness. truth and justice; whose benev-
oence and forgiveness were the very basis
Of his character whose wit and laughter
even the great sorrows of his life could not
dispel, whose humanity was worldwide
and whose power TO move the hearts Of
men will never diminish.
IT is TO he a fitting monument. Congress
has authorized the expenditure of S2.O00,O00,
the largest amount ever appropriated for
a similar purpose. The cost of erecting !
such a memorial as planned by Mr.. Bacon, |
according to estimates that he has received |
from two contractors OF high standing in
monumental work, will be within the legal
limit Of cost, exclusive of grading and
landscape gardening.
Thus to be selected TO submit plans TO
the Lincoln Memorial Commission was a
great honor offering exceptional oppor-
tunity. Perhaps only the construction of
the Capitol itself could be likened TO it as
recognition of the position held by the
architect appointed for the task.
The Commission of Fine Arts has chosen
the Potomac Park site, and Mr.. Bacon's
drawings and photographs. that are here
shown. will be submitted to Congress with
the report Of the Lincoln Memorial Com
mission
Although the Potomac Park site has re-
Ceived the unanimous approval of the ,
Commission Of Fine Arts and numerous
other art commissions and art societies
throughout the country. from which letters j
in its favor are, il is said, being received
at Washington almost every day. some
members of the Lincoln Memorial Commits J
sion wish before making their final deci- {
sion first to consider two other possible
locations.
John Russell Pope, of New York City,
has therefore been asked to make tenta-
tive designs for the memorial, both in the
Soldiers Home grounds and on the Me- ;
ridian Hill site.
Mr. Bacon was notified by President Taft
Of his appointment last August and since
then has made perhaps twenty-five trips 10
Washington TO study the possibilities, la
t"ut and obvious, Of the Potomac Park Sit
uaGon
Before beginning my study of the design
of this memorial" said Mr.. Bacon in his
office, at No. 1sO Fifth avenue. few days
ago II believed that the site I'm Potomac
Park was the best one for monument TO
Abraham Lincoln, and since deyoting my !
time for four months TO a study Of its pos
sibe development ! am certain Of it."
40 one can look at Mr.. Bacon and doubt
he has good reason for any kind Of opin-
ion TO which he may. at the time. be ad-
dictcd. The Tribune man asked the archi-
tect if he would explain the mental proc
esses that had caused him so emphatically
TO believe the Lincoln memorial should be
placed in Potomac Park.
The power Of impression by an object
Of reverence and honor IS greatest when It
is secluded and isolated Mr.. Bacon re-
piled. for then, in quiet and without dis
traction Of the senses or mind, the behoder
IS alone with the lesson which the object is
designed TO teach and inspire, and will be
most subject 10 its meaning.
This principle of seclusion is an old one
At the height Of achievement in Greece is
found the Athena, in the Parthenon, and
one Of the seven wonders Of the world was
placed within the Temple Of Zeus, at
Olympia
"A great example in modern times Of thisI