Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-20
Artists, Architects and hu-
Fnerous Civic Leaders Send
in Vigorous Protests.
MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT
AND CONGRESS LEADERS
Organizations Throughout the Coun.
try Urge That Change Be
Made in Plans.


country to the water front location of
the gevernment-owned central light,
heat and power plant. which was
aroused by the American Federation Of
Arts, continues to manifest itself In
tslsgrams, resolutions and letters re-
csivsd by the President and leaders in
Congress.
Oficials of the American Federation
Of Arts, with offices at l741 New York
avenue, called tho attention of its 30
chapters all over the United States to
this as "a national question. which has
Ia large bearing upon the future Develop
ment Of American art" and urged that
public sentiment be aroused.
In defining its opposition this organ
ization said. in part:
the beauty Of Washington be Temporal
riiy injured. but whether the nation as
a whole is prepared to recognise the
value of art as a national asset and to
avail itself of the expert service of
those Of Its citizens who have added to
an endowment of talent years of train
ing, or whether 1t Is still ignorant and
blind. Monumental errors without
number witness to such Ignorance in
the past. 1t is unfortunate that further
and at such cost"
Views Expressed in Messages.
A few Of the messages received by
Legislative leaders as result Of this
action are quoted below. showing how
widespread IL the feeling on this mat
tar.
The Merchants Association of New
NRIH IN ~ -. "a trvve TO-
gerald Of the House committee on ap-
propriations, to Chairman Martin Of
the Senate COMMITTEES on appropria-
lions, and to Senator Newlands urge
erection Of the plant on that site be
not enacted and that some other site
be selected which will not interfere
with the beauty of the city OF Wash
inston. and particularly of the manu-
msn1 m to oS, nI from tSe
Chapter Of the American Institute Of
Architects to President Wilson and
Senators Stone and Reed is signed by
Ben. j. Lubschez and says: Being
personally familiar with conditions in
the city of Washington. and a student
Of plans for Its development. my earnest
protest a. an architect and citizen OF the
United States against site of proposed
power plant 10 based on this personal
familiarity with conditions"
In a day letter to President Wilson
signed by E. J. Russell, president of
the st. Louis Chapter this view is
stated: Il resent as an Americai citi-
beautiful effect Of the Capital city mar
red by the erection of an unsightly
power house and stacks located vir-
tually within the park area and In full
view Of Lincoln memorial. The ply,
be such as to command admiration
of our citizens and respect Of the
world"
Considers Project Detrimental.
e. B. Homer, president Of the Rhode
Island Chapter. in his message Of pro-
test says: IT am quite familiar with the
plans for development Of Washington
and know the proposed location well.
consider the project detrimental to the
best interests Of Washington and the
country. It will inevitably interfere with
the good appearance Of this fine archi-
tectural group, whose dignity We are all
proud to maintain"
w. J. Wiigus. chairman Of the COM
mittee Of American Institute Of Consult
ing Engineers wires in part: THE best
interests Of the country will be served
by a suspension Of work on the power
plant until the question Of its site can
be given a thorough investigation, with
will be done to the effect that is expected
to be produced by the millions Of dollars
that have been and are to be expended
in the enhancement Of the beauty of
Washington
w. G. Holford. president Of the Ore
gon Chapter. wired to Senator Martin
and Representative Fitzgerald: Proposed
heating plant with four 200-foot chin
neys near Mall and Washington Monu-
ment will dishgure and disgrace Wash
ington, the city Of which every patriotic
citizen is justly proud. Feel we can
not protest too strongly against placing
this plant with its disfguring stacks in
midst OF nations monuments"
Marcus R. Burrowes. president Of the
Michigan Chapter. wired to Chairman
press to you our strongest opposition
against the erection of the four 20O-foot
chimneys which 1t is proposed to erect
near the Mall and Washington Monu-
ment. We believe these structures would
be Disagreement to our Capital city
tion."
Not Tolerated In Europe, He Says.
George Cary. president Of the Buffalo
chapter, in a telegram to Chairman
Fitzgerald, says: Don't lend your
power and influence to allow disfieur-
ing heating plant chimneys built near
Mall and Washington Monument. No
capital Of Europe would tolerate such.
All Americans wish to feel a pride in
Washington. its Mall and it's monu-
rnents."
&C. E. Richards. president of the CO.
lumbus Chapter, in a wire of protest
says: I'VE respectfully enter our most
~.