New-York tribune., 1922-06-24
Landscape and Architect.
ural Link for Museums,
Freedom Arch in Center.
Is Mayors Board Plan
100000 Asked for
Preliminary Work
Dedication Suggested for
25th Anniversary of
Greater Y. Y. Next May

A great landscape and architectural
connecting link between the Metro
politan Museum Of Art and the Mu-
scum OF Natural History, occupying
twenty-seven acres Of land IN and sd-
Joining the bed Of the lower reservoir
in Central Park. was proposed yester-
day as New York's memorial 20 the
dead in the war.
IN IFS report 70 the Board OF Esti-
mate the Mayors Committee on Per
manent War Memorial, Of which Rod
man Wannmaker is chairman. sue-
eosted that the memorial be made 20
include an arch Of freedom. a ceno-
taph adorned with sculpture and mural
paintings-a sort OF temple Of sacri-
flee and victory-a graceful lagoon
similar to that in the Lincoln memo
rial in Washington. a large swimming
pool, wading pool for children and
Fairgrounds on either side Of the
/ reservoir.
Fund of $500, 900 Asked
The committee asked for an appro-
priation OF $500. 900, estimating that
/ The arch will cost Sj00.000 Of which
/ s200.O00 already is in hand, and $780,
/ 900 for the ~ iiminary work OF pre-
pairing the ground for the arch. Chair
man WanamaEor expressed the wish
/ that the memorial arch be completed
Z in time 20 be dedicated as the central
motive in the celebration OF the twenty
| Gfth anniversary Of the establishment
OF the greater City OF New York. TO be
held in May. 1922. The report was
referred 70 the committee Of the whole
Of the Board OF Estimate.
After reviewing the history Of the
Mayors memorial committee since its
appointment upon the signing OF the
armisticc, the report Of the committee,
signed by Mr.. Wanamaker. says:
This new committee which the
Mayor brought into being this year
( has considered at great length the
work Of tho former committee. II has
reviewed the public discussions which
took place in the council room Of the
/ City Hall on the subject as 20 what
type the permanent war memorial
should be; IL has sought an expression
OF opinion OF rien OF letters and OF the
ordinary citizen. After very serious
and deliberate consideration OF the
entire question. the Mayors committee
Is Of the opinion that there GOULD not
| be erected in this city memorial
more in keeping with the great deeds
that were performed b. tho men who
made the great sacrifice than an afeh
Of freedom.
Twenty.seyen Acres Available
Having determined upon the type Of
wa. memorial. the committee addressed
( itself TO the subject OF the selection o.
a site. After combinc the city for a
suitable location for the memorial
arch. the Mayors Committee came 10
I the conclusion that there was no site
more appropriate for the erection Of a
memorial arch than that Of the lower
reservoir in Central Park, which Is a
feature Of the old Croton water supply
and no longer Of practical service to the
city. Here are twonty-seven acres OF
land in the very heart Of the city un-
used and practically unseen IN It's pres
cnt form.
1T is proposed that there shall be AZ
the extreme southern end OF the reser-
voir area an approach from east 10
west, forming the much talked about
connecting dHfN4f UfAMffM ANE -IAN4 "
poltan Museum and the Museum Of
/ Natural History. This reservoir area
is approximately 500 feet wide cast
and west, and 1000 feet long, north and
south.
Lagoon is Proposed
at is further proposed as one Of the
features OF the permanent memorial
arch. for which already a large amount
OF money has been collected this arch
TO be at the north end Of the reservoir
site and the central feature Of the conf
position. In this position between the
! inter-muscum avenue and the arch
would be an approach or vista 1000
feet long. in the center OF this aD-
proach might be built narrcw lagoon
OF water similar 20 the one ~ front OF
the Lincoln Memorial recently dedi-
Gated in Washington. Il is further
suggested that this lagoon snail be
built a. the second feature of perma-
nency toward the completed memorial.
The general plan is submitted here
with. subject. Of course. TO correction
and the approval OF your honorable
body. Il is further suggested that the
part which remains OF the reservoir
might be treated so that a swimming
pool Of very large proportions could be
established, with bathing payilions un-
der the terrace on either side OF the
tcon,ngee on rte. fssl