Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-08-12
DISSERTATION ORDERED
FOR CAPITOL SQUARE,
STATES BEAUTY SPOT
continued from First ragel

- ~ b(isE ~ ~ ~ i
continued from First ragc)
izens by more laws. shut their cyes
20 things beautiful and slammed the
door OF economy In The face or yenti-
mcn' DID not tho state own tho
ground upon which II was proposed
10 cree, this modern 10000 s,ruct-
urer Would not I, save the ,azpav-
crs few dollars II this land they
owned wcr. utilized for the purpose,
to tn" -FOUR Winds
The answer was In tn" aTirma-
tive. Sentiment was lief, waiting AT
III" church while Virginia legislators
marched TO The new altar o. econ
"my with tho bride % their latest
choice. beauty had become a martyr
70 The dollar instinct, Memories
stirred when one contemplated tho
history of Capitol Square. and all that
J: has meant 10 aesthetic scnti-
mental Nirglr!ans back 10 tho time OF
the architect sage OF Monticello were
hut memories. and memories mean
nothing in the sweep Of the prun-
ing knife.
Patriotic societies demurrcd
Women. ever the guardians OF the
states most precious possessions.
protested. Artists and architects
added their brief in behalf Of
beauty. but to no avail. The plain
citizen from out IN the state re-
inembered the little gem OF green
SGT IN the mids; Of Virginia's bus
Ting metropolis aud pleaded that IL
be- spared any acr Of vandalism
but his cry likewise went unhccded
TO GIVE II "Modcrn Touch"
The answer was that law il law.
and Nirginia's statutes are as incNor.
able as those OF In" Modes and Per
slams. The matter now WAS in the
hands OF tho building commissioners
and their duty was 70 sec that for
100000 or such an amount, Capitol
square should be given modern
touch with its cigh;-story Office
structur" set smugIy and comfort
ably down in the southeastern cor
ner The mon Of the commission
listened soiemnly and pointed s!-
lently and impressivcly to the act
OF Assembly. written as plainly as
the handwriting on I'll. wall which
foreSha doNed the downfall of Baby
lon Members Of this body are Gov
ernor T.. Lee TrinSl- chairman.
Lieutenant Governor JUnius r. West
Speaker Of the House Richard I.
Brewer. state Senator w. II. .Iefrreys
and Delegate James l.. Jones.
Il may be wen to note here tina,
the act OF assembly gives tn. build
Ing commissioners just n slight de-
gree "f latitude as to the choice
OF tho site upon which to build tho
Office building. Abandonment OF the
southeastern corner OF Capi,ol
Square. however. under tho law. de-
ponds entirely upon the patriotic
generosity OF some citizen or citi-
zcns 10 whom may come Il pang of
regret at the encroachment upon this
beautiful and historic spot.
The original bill. which was intro
duced in the House by Speaker Rich
ara l.. brewer. stipulated specincalI,
that the building be erected uron tho
ground Of the Capitol Square. in tho
southeastern corner thereof" but. I'm
the brief debate which ,nsued on tho
floor. Delegate Marvin Smithcy az
Brunswick. had tackled On the amend
ment. " or upon such site us may he
selected by said board without any
addit!ona! cost 10 the state"
brings Message From pnst.
Without any additional cost to the
state. That was the keynote OF this
saving OF a few dol
lars AT the expense of an expansive
square that is not only boon 10
weary thousands who go there for
respite from the turmoil of the busy
city. but treasured storehouse OF
memory for other thousands who talk.
pride i'll its beauty and give heed
TO It's silent. but eloquent. message
from the great past.
The commissioners have entered
upon their duties under In. law
John L. Wilson. OF the John u Wi
son Company. has been selected 10
advise the board In its tasl, Of .rac,
ing the office building. Taxparcrs
OF Virginia who have owned for
so many years this precious norcoI
OF land. have not been told yet what
MI. Wilson's compensation for this
work is to be. The act stimulates
that ii shall lie Reasonable hut
tho boards definition OF tina, term
mas not been made public IL will
be remembered that MIR. Wilson was
10 nave been the supervising con.
tractor in the erection OF the pro.
posed war Memorial Library. and
'hat reasonable" compensation. MS
the taxpayers learned accidentally.
was Teckoned as cost plus \
long controversy ensucd. tho end OF
'he story being that the plan was
wrecked and there is no memorial