The Washington herald., 1912-01-21

pressive surrounding features OF the mon
ument, for better distant view, for use
as a park, sc.
The street view Of the Capitol is COM
paratively unlmportant as compared with
the extended view OF II as q whole 1t
must be remembered that all one can
see from the Capitol, can be seen In
return.
Let US have due respect for the mem
bers OF the Art Commission, who have
done so much fine work. The regret is
that they were unable 20 see little else
for future Washington than what could
be placed on our bottom lands. Congress
accepted very reluctantly their choice for
the Grant Monument site. The question
Is. which was right7 Even could We now
see it, from the side Of the future Mall.
this monument would be comparatively
obliterated in importance by its near
background-the Capitol Shall we have
two mistakes7
For the monument on Meridian Hill.
Mr.. Murphy has appreciated that IL.
along with its surroundings. should par
take OF the character OF LIncoln-great
in simplicity, sturdIness, force, common
sense, and the dignity and beauty OF It
all.
He has again appreciated that the style
OF building should not compete In any way
with its one companion on hiIl-the
Capitol
The forty feet Of parking Is leveIed TO
the sidewalk from FLORIDA avenue 10
Euclid street thus widening Sixteenth
street at this place. The earth thus re-
moved is used for heightening and form
ing a large plaza square (3OO feet square)
az the apex of the hill. In the center
OF this square is the proposed monument
Details of Memorial.
The life and martyrdom OF Lincoln were
for the Union and for a mutual and last
ing friendship. Could this be suggested
in his monument by four massive piers
representing the North, South. East and
West, equal in size. semi-distant apart,
Joined and cemented at the top by 81
massive Gaping, and advantageously
seen from all sides?
We have here the four piers, each thir-
ty feet square and twenty feet apart. A
vaulted interior is centered by pedestal
on which rests the bronze statue or Lin
coin overlooking the city. Whether 81
replica Of the statue Of Lincoln at Chi
cago, made by Augustus Saint Gaudens. he
chosen or another would be a matter for
future consideration. The open piers are
also connected on all four sides by arches.
which frame the statue Ike a picture.
The statue at this point is overlooking
the top Of the Capitol dome
The closed apartment underneath, forty
feet high and lighted from the top, forms
a massive base for the piers. This IN
terror may be utilized and decorated as
further to be studied. OF course, Panels
should be provided for the Gettysburg
speech. &c. An elevator takes one to a
lookout on the summit OF the monument |
About this plaza square the whole Me-
ridian Hin Park bordering Florida ave-
nue. ass feet and Sixteenth stre&t 1,s25
feet) Is treated as a huge pedestal for
the monument.
From the southern front descends a |
broad line of steps, leading TO a Sec
ond plaza below. These steps are a |
hundred feet wIde serving as an i'm |
portant part Of the grand pedestal. On |
each side Of the steps are cascades, lead |
ing each to a fountain on this plaza |
No. 2 Supporting plaza No. from be-
low) Is a second wall, containing vaulted |
openings, through which falling water
feeds = pond at the foot OF the hill Broad |
circular stairways from Florida avenue |
below lead around the pond up to the
plaza No. q
Monument Not Too Large.
For the sake Of keeping open the
view of the memorial on the Sixteenth
street approach from below, II Is de-
sirable to secure adoitionel ground -
far as New Hampshire avenue Laying
this property out in triangular form
TO conform with New Hampshire ave-
nue., we have q most desirable situation
for a beautiful fountain treatment.
From the sixteenth street side OF the
park. A line Of walls and green ter
races serve also to form the grand ped
estaI for the monument On the north
side. leading 20 Euclid street. are again
steps descending from the monument |,
A promenade and roadway surropnding
a sunlxen garden, lead from Sixteenth |
and Euclid streets TO the northern
steps OF the monument
When It was suggested that the four
piers OF the monument mlsht eBeih pc
slyrmo,Inted nv a monumental group.
representing Peace and Prosperity, the
architect objected. saying that the
group Of statuary would detract from
ument. fbat there was room for what
ever statuarv Is desirable eisewhere.