Evening star., 1914-01-23
National Commission Consid-
ering Designs for Beautifying
Meridian Hill Reservation.
WIDE Cement ESPLANADE
IS ONE Feature URGED
Four Small Parks on Pennsylvania
Avenue Also Considered-Lincoln
Memorial Submitted.

avenue west were submitted py Coi. w.
W. Harts. superintendent Of public
buildings and grounds today to the
national commission of fine arts. The
commission was in session from Q
o'clock this morning until late this
afternoon considering the artistic re-
quirements of various public projects
in the District and one outside the Dis
trict Daniel C. French OF New York,
chairman. presided. and the others In
attendance were Frederick Law Olmsted
of Brookline, Mass: Thomas Hastings,
Cass Gilbert and Edwin H. Blashfield
of New York. and Col. Harts. secretary
The only, absent members were Peirce
Anderson Of Chicago and Charles Moore
of Detroit
To Preserve Natural Advantages.
The existing natural advantages of
Meridian Hill are to be preserved. The
main features of the proposed treatment
involve the construction of a wide cement
esplanade along the brow of the hill from
18th to 18th street, affording a fine view
of the city to the south: from that eleva-
ton. an ornamental cascade will flow
down the hillside to a basin near the
line of Florida avenue. On the high
level just north of the esplanade there
will be a plaza for a bandstand and seats.
which may be reached by vehicles over
two in-curving driveways from Euclid
street. A low cement retaining wall will
be built along the 10th street side of the
park, and the high bank converted into a
series Of terraces. Two wide stone stair
ways will afford entrances for pedes-
trians from 18th street. Entrances also
will be provided from Florida avenue
and 18th street, where there is no special
difference in grades.
Sites for statues are reserved on the
lower levels on both sides of the proposed
cascade. General provision Is made for
artistic arrangement Of trees, shrubbery.
gardens. etc. If the art commission ap-
proves the general plan. Congress will be
asked for money to put it into effect.
Treatment Of Triangular Parks.
Col. Harts' plans for the treatment of
the small triangular parks on Pennsyl-
vania avenue between the White House
and Washington Circle are designed
mainly to improve the particular local.
Avenue One of these parks is at the in
tersection of 18th street, another at the
intersection of 10Th street, another at the
intersection of goth street and the fourth
at the intersection of 21st street.
The main feature Of the new treat
of fountains near the Avenue side. sur
rounded by panels of flowers, and hay-
ing as a background a double semi
circular row of Lombardy peplars,- The
dered by seats. The four parks will be
provided otherwise with gardens and
paths to meet the convenience of
traffic. If approved by the art commits
without further delay out of the ap-
preparations for general park improve
mentS.
Lincoln Memorial Submitted.
Probably the most important matter
considered by the commission was that
submitted by Secretary Garrison with re-
spect to the marble memorial to Lincoln.
to be erected in West Potomac Park at
an estimated cost Of 100000 The COM
mission is asked. in effect, to give artistic
judgment as to whether Colorado yule
marble ''is pre-eminently and peculiarly
fitted for the structure or whether the
artistic requirements Of the case would
be met by the use Of Georgia marble or
other varieties Samples of various mar
bles were submitted for personal exami-
nation.
Secretary Garrison will be guided in
his action by the report of the arls COM
mission. Although he has not yet COM
mitted himself on that point, it is be-
lieved that II the commission favors the
use of Colorado marble for the me-
mortal he will approve the recommends
ton Of the Lincoln memorial commission,
Of which former President Taft Is chair
man. and award the contract for the
superstructure to Fuller & Co. of New
York and Chicago at their bid Of 81, ,S0O,-
COO In the event that the arts commits.
sion says that Georgia and other marbles
are suitable for the purpose. Secretary
Garrison probably will call for new bids
hot >n1 s1cIG
The conclusions reached by the arts
commission will not be disclosed unit
after they have been submitted to the
Secretary Of War. All authorities agret
matter II work on the memorial is to be
started in the coming spring.
Red Cross Building Plan.
Another matter passed on by the art.
commission today involved the site and
design for the Red Cross building In
memory Of the women Of the civil war
The congressional commission charged
with that duty has selected the square
between nth and 18th and D and T
streets as the site OF the building and
approved the design and plans submitted
by Trowbridge & Livingstone Of New
York. Under the law the adoption of
both site and design are subject to the
approval of the fine arts commission. Mr..
Trowbridge was present by invitation at
today's meeting and explained the
features Of his firms design.
Consideration also was given by the
arts commission to the full-size model
of the monument to be erected on the
battlefield of Guilford Court House,
near Greensboro, n. C. The model was
designed by F. II. Packer of Great
Darlington. Mass, and includes al
equestrian statue of Gen. Nathaniel
Greene. Congress has provided $30.OOt
Tor this monument, and the site has been
donated by the state
During its session the commission also
examined bust o. the late Chief Justice
Of the Supreme Court, Melville A Full
Ter, designed by Sculptor Partridge Of
New York and intended for exhibition
at the United States Capitol.