Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-14
Mr.. NewIands Discounts Ap-
provaI of the Washington
Architectural Club.
USES PICTURE TO SHOW
OBJECTIONS TO THE SITE
Also Tells of Plans to Improve
Water Front in the Locality
Under Discussion.

The fight to prevent the erec-
ton of the proposed central
power plant at the foot of 18th
street was renewed in the Senate
today when Senator Martin called
up the conference report on the
urgent deficiency bill.
Senator Newlands of Nevada,
who is leading the opposition to
the power plant on the grounds
that it will be blot on the land
scape and hinder the development
of the Mall and the waterfront
along artistic lines, Immediately
took the floor and protested vlgor-
ously against the plant. Senator
Newlands had caused a large
photograph, taken from the top
of the Washington Monument
and showing the landscape with
the proposed power plant
sketched in, to be placed in the
Senate chamber.
Has Presidents Approval.
He also had placed on the desk of
every senator a sketch of the proposed
development of Washington's water
front, prepared by member of the
American Institute of Architects.
That the President of the United
States has thoroughly Investigated and
approved both the plans for this power
plant and the water front location, and
hopes that the construction may De
completed as soon as possible was stat
ed by Senator Martin, who said that
he had authority to do this from the
President.
Senator Newlands said that he had
asked the President to consult with
Col. w. w. Harris. who, by virtue OF
his Office as officer in charge of public
buildings and grounds. is secretary OF
the fine arts commission. The Presi-
dent. he said, had not done this, and,
as far as he can learn, his only coun
sellers and advisers are Treasury Of
ficials. He thinks he should get the
expert advice of engineers and archi :
tects. and he believes that II the Presi- :
dent will hear both sides he will not
hold to the present site.
twenty-five years experience in work
ing for the development Of Washing
ton. said that he knows every foot OF
land in the District, and is honestly OF
the opinion that not another site In the
District can be found as free from OBJ
lection as the water front site. He said
he hoped that this matter would be al
lowed to go through as soon as posi-
Bile He expressed the opinion that
Congress is quite capable of caring for
this matter and not delegating it to
any commission of architects.
At the. outset of his speech Senator
ter sent by the Washington Archi-
tectural Club to members Of the Sen
ate and House appropriations commit
tees and the Senate Library committee.
advocating the central power plant as
He told the Senate that he had been
informed that this club had as mem
bers very few praticicing architects
in the Office Of the supervising ar
chitect of the Treasury. which is back
ing the plan for the power plant.
Senator Newlands. referring to sug-
the effect that opposition to the CEN
trail power plant originated fom sell
fsh causes, declared that no one had
ever said anything to him against the
construction of a power plant for the
government.
Water Front to Be Approved.
He declared that the water front,
where it is proposed to erect this
power plant, is not always to be left
in its present squalid condition. He
discussed a plan which has been made
for the Identification OF this part of
the capital, saying that 1t was pro-
posed to construct an elevated esplan-
ade, rising fifteen feet above the traf-
fc, and built upon arches along the
water front.
He attacked the plan for the central
power plant which would cause the
erection Of smokestacks 200 feet high:
New York. a member OF the fine arts
commission. and Charles Moore Of De-
troit. at one time secretary of the
late Senator Mcmillan. who had much
for the development Of Washington.
were interested spectators during the
debate.
Capitol Power Plant.
The proposed enlargement of the
Capitol power plant would take care
of all the government departments. in
! GLIDING the government printing office
| and the navy yard, Senator Newlands
said. Even now, he claims, 1t Is capa-
| BILE of taking care of twice as much
| work as 1t now has. Senator Newlands
| introduced figures supplied by Hennen
| Jennings, vice president Of the Society
| of Architects. showing that in the opin-
| 80