Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-01
Architectural Chaos
in Business Section

- ooS1ASSs SSeeAoh' most every
thing disorderly and untidy. careless
ness reigns on every side and the con-
ditions prevailing in and around our
public buildings are crying sha me-
All are allowed TO fall into decay, and II
seems that everything is left 20
George to look after. The present OPP
portunity for improvement should not
he lost and while The job is under way
ii should be well done. The thinking
should be done first and not the acting.
If the work of this commission when
presented does not meet with approval
a new commission of known ability
should be put on the job of making this
city the talk OF the world and the pride
of America and the globe trotters goal
Comfort and convenience are essen
tal to the proper carrying on of gov
eminent business, contentment promotes
efficiency and good citizenship For
those reasons and for the proper and
orderly upbuilding of the city | would
suggest the creation of q board on some
such lines as the Shipping Board TO re-
wise our building laws and with author
ity to condemn buildings and land any
where in the District for the public
good, and to construct homes, apart
ment houses and buildings for CONNER
cial purposes, and to regulate private
operations SO as to compel proper 10
eating and harmony, the equalization OF
pronerty values and to prevent congeS-
ton Speculative builders should no
longer be allowed to disfigure the land
scape and cheaper the city. II the Ship
ping Board can build and sell ships to
advantage, improve and extend our mer-
chant marine, why could not pullding
board do the same for the city? Special
treatment is needed here. There is as
much difference between this and other
tiles as there is between an office
building and boiler shop, and for that
reason should have the advice and coun-
ell of broad-visioned specialists.
X =
All new construction should be fire.
proof, especially buildings for COM
mercial purposes, no
Fireproofng tells apartments the
tiers, etc A minimum
GSSehtiai' as well as q maximum
height should be set. with exceptions
in special cases. Alleys should be
provided for all streets. Show WIN
dows should not project over eighteen
inches inclusive, vaults under side
walks should not extend more than
half way to the curb. Sidewalk cell
lar openings should not be allowed.
Loading and unloading of merchandise
sho uld be done in alleys Sidewalks
should be for the exclusive use of
pedestrians. A law regulating signs
is needed. -.s
The housing improvement idea ]
have in mind should begin on all
streets facing the Capitol grounds.
and going further the entire section
south of Pennsylvania avenue to 18th
street, exclusive of land for govern
ment requirements, and l. street. its
entire length, to provide the northwest
section with a proper approach to Po-
tomac Park and the Lincoln Me-
mortal, 23d street should be built uP
with apartments, and SO as to force
the proper improvements in the down.
town business section all land north
of H street northwest should be re-
stricted for a specified time. Eighth
street northwest, being central. from
X street to Euclid. and 9th street,
Florida avenue to Euclid, should be
restricted to light manufacturing
such as laundries, bakeshops. etc.
Transportation facilities are at hand
on the adjoining parallel streets.
ALFRED &. LIEBLER.