Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-02
NATIONWIDE FIGHT
FOR BEAUTY0 CITY
&
Campaign to Prevent 0isfig-
urement and DETACHMENT by
Erection of Power Plant.
CIVIC LEADERS NAME
HEADS OF COMMITTEES
Meeting at Home of Hennen Jen-
nings at Which Steps Are Taken
to Preserve Original Plans.

to Preserve Original Plans.
Committees to interest all the large
organizations and interests of the
United States in a nationwide cam
paign to prevent .disfigurement, de-
facement and proclamation of the plan
for the development of Washington by
the so-called central power plant on the
water front were named at confer
ence of civic leaders in the home of
Hennen Jennings, Sheridan circle, last
night
: Those present composed the member
ship of the committee of one hundred
for the development of Washington
and representatives. of patriotic organ
izations.
Prominent men and women represent
ing the various professions. patriotic
interests and art associations spoke of
how the erection of the heat, light and
power plant at the proposed site would
offend from the engineering, economic,
patriotic. utilitarian, esthetic, archi-
tectural and "truest American" stand
points.
would blot and disfgure the plan of
Washington. jefferson and L'Enfant for
the ultimate capital beautiful. which
has been recognized throughout the
world as the most stupendouS central
city scheme of development ever I'M
dertaken. Representatives of patriotic
societies such as the Grand Army and
the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion said that the members of these
organizations throughout the entire
United States resent the action of a
few officials in direct violation of the
statute persisting in this project. which
is an offense against and Dissertation
of the scheme of development that all
Americans have come to admire in
their federal city.
A long resolution was adopted recit-
ing what the plan of Washington pro-
poses. how it has been Endorsed and
supported by the highest government
authorities. 1t concludes with the de-
termination to urge upon Congress the
Importance of passing a law directing
that the future development of Wash
1ngton be according to these plans I'M
der the advice of the national commits
sion of fine arts" and to urge upon
the President of the United States and
Congress that they reconsider the Ioca-
tion of the government power plant on
the site selected"
Chairmen of Committees.
The chairmen of the committees
named to interest large organizations
in the protest campaign are:
John L. Weaver, real estate ex-
changes; George Oakley Totten, alumni
societies: Richard B. Watrous, civic or
CARNATIONS; DR.. James Dudley Morgan,
historic societies; A. S. Worthingron
patriotic societies; John Poole, bankers
associations; Edward F. Colladay, local
civic associations; +. G. Coldren, state
associations; Ernest J. BickneIl. Red
Cross units; William Z. Shannon, busi-
ness organizations; Frank w. Hackett,
Loyal Legion; George w. Harris, rotary
clubs; Cass Gilbert. architectural so
cieties: Theodore W. Noyes, Washing
ton Monument Society; Miss Leila
Mechlin, art societies; E P Mertz,
county papers; Merrill E. Gates. edu-
cational institutions; DR.. C. w. Rich
ardson, medical societies; Frank H.
sutton, engineering societies.
Glenn Brown. who, as chairman of
the committee of one hundred. presid
ed. stated that he believed every state
legislation. would take action, because
the states have memorial stones in the
Washington Monument, which, it is
claimed, would be rivaled by the
smokestacks on the proposed power
plant.
Hennen Jennings. host Of the evening,
who has studied the matter closely
from an engineering standpoint, show
ed diagram in illustration of his
contention that the proposed plant
would not be a central plant for
government buildings. but would be
only one of three local centers, and
that the real center is the present Cap
itol plant, and that the most economi-
cal and efficient service can be had
from charging the Capitol plant
Mrs George Smallwood, vice presi-
dent general of the d. A. R. spoke of
the proposed power plant in relation
to the d. a. z. building. and pledged
the earnest support of all Daughters to
prevent the despoilment of their yistas
and environment. She thanked the
committee of one hundred in the name
of the organization for the vision" of
the future federal city for which all
patriotic citizens might cooperate
Paul W. Bartlett, speaking in d very
amusing vein. but convincingly, told Of
the artistic treatment of water fronts
in foreign cities. He said that Wash
ington has an invaluable asset in her
water front, which should be developed
a place where the citizens of the
nation might go for recreation, rest
and inspiration.