The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-10-14
REPLIES TO ASHFORD.
Eastern High School Alumni Asso-
citation Writes on Architecture.

Assuming that the municipal srchi-
tect was correctly quoted with your
characteristic accuracy. In his recent
remarks before one OF the Parent
Teachers Associations, 1 beg space
to state that the criticism of the ex-
terror OF the New Central by the
Eastern Alumni Association was
based on the ground that, as IL
stands, the Central is an unfortunate
mixture which does not follow con-
sistently. in the opinion of reputable
architects, any one style or period.
Mr.. Ashford's unsupported declars-
ton that colonial architecture is in
appropriate for public buildings in
Washington is so very surprising that
one is led TO suspect that he must
indeed, in some way. have been mis-
understood or misquoted. Granting
that there are comparatively few ex-
amples of pure colonial in Washing
ton. more's the pity. 1t is indeed
curious to learn that the Capitol.
the White House, the Patent once
and the City Hall. now IN process
of restoration are characteriste only
of a struggling village Of 1889.
NEaI In6 bdSltlh nav ~
mind was to secure q referendum as
to whether our individual graduates
wished the New Eastern to follow
the exterior appearance Of the Cen
trail or on the other hand to follow
the earnest recommendations OF the
Fine Arts Commission which was
not consulted at all in the Central
plans. These recommendations, as
well known, are for the colonial or
modified classic. adapted to modern
uses. the particular needs Of school.
and the limitations Of the appropria,,
ton, OF the replies to date, about
. aer cent are in favor Of pure
Gothic, not necessarily the modifica-
lions evident in the Central, per
cent non committal, and about IS
per cent in favor Of Colonial or
modified classic These latter were
based on the plans for the future
OF Washington, the prevailing style
of our best buildings, the character
of the site on the edge Of large
mark. and the tentative plans which
nroyide not for a five story struc-
ture as in the case of Central. but
fora relatively low building Of two
or three stories. Answers were re-
ce,yed from alumni from more than
twenty classes. living not only in
washington. but as far away as Cali
fornIa, Panama and some where In
France" Our object was not TO start
an agitation merely in rivalry to Cen
trail, but because We feel sincerely
that the new Central is distinctly un-
worthy of that splendid school. which
is very properly now vas always a
source of pride TO Washington. in
view of its traditions land achieve
ments. We think 1t is q pity that
future pupils of Central should be
denied the proper inspiration that
comes from a beautiful building.
School authorities now insist that
there is a great deal In architectural
environment. and we deeply regret
that In this costly new plant this
should have been SO disregarded.
hir. Ashford himself designed the
New Western. and 30 his statement
that Colonial Is inappropriate for
Washington buildings becomes the
more incomprehcnsible. Futhermore
the Miner Normal School and the
Elizabeth Brown graded school are
both new buildings showing strong
Colonial influence. and we have yet
to hear OF any protests on the