The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-10-17
MEAN BUILDINGS
MUST COME DOWN
BEAUTlFYiNG OF WASHINGTON
IS HAMPERED UNTIL THEY
ARE REMOVED.
CONGRESS- DELAY IS COSTLY
Land to Be Bought by the Govern
pent on the South Side of Pennsyi-
vania Avenue Is Steadily Adyane-
ing in Price.
BY EDWARD q. A

attempt Is 10 be
made nex winter to push forward the
plans to complete the development of
the city of Washington along lines
drawn years ago. For some years be-
fore the war the capital city pro-
crossed slowly along the road OF
beauty. but, nevertheless, it progressed.
Then there came a halt. but now with
the var In the past it is hoped that
the labor of improvement nce more
can be started.
Pennsylvania avenue in Washington
is a broad thorougfffare. The view
from the treasury toward the capitol
is fine and commanding, If one looks
only at the capitol. II, however, he
glances to the right or to the left. the
establishment comes. Pennsylvania
avenue is fianked for the main part
between the Treasury and the cap
itol by low, ~unsightly structures Of the
pre-Civil war period.
II Is true that some Of these old
time structures have historical and
sentimental associations, but mas
much as they are ugly structures and
for the o part in blocks. their
preservation, 1t is held. would not be
worth while. for uglineSs at times can
outweigh sentiment.
Mean Buildings to Be Removed.
The plan for a better and more
beautiful Washington includes the
clearing away of all the buildings on
the south side of the avenue, thus Gre
ating a park space Of all the ground
between the main city thoroughfare
and the Potomac river. There prob
ably is not anywhere In the United
States a meaner looking lot of build
ings than those that stand on the
south side of the chief street Of this
town.
Today there is In process of erection
q memorial building which is to be
n OF the most beautiful structures
In all the capital. The government
gave the land and private subscription
provided for the building. In about
a year this memorial edifice will be
completed. and yet no n will be able
to see it until he lodges around many
unsightly structures in order to find a
fair viewpoint.
The great park called The Mail ex-
tends today from the real of the IN
slightly Pennsylvania avenue structures
clear down to the river. Standing on
Pennsylvania e and looking
southwark, one has nc knowledge de-
rived from his eyesight that back of
the squat stores and lodging houses
there arise government buildings of
marble which ought to be commanding
In their situations and are not.
A long time ago congress appropri-
ated money to buy some of the build
ings and some ground abutting on
Pennsylvania avenue from the south.
The buildings never have been tori
down nor has the ground been i'm
proved. 1t is the intention OF con-
gress eventually to buy everything on
the south side of Pennsylvania venue
but the price of land is going up year
by year and it may be the taxpayers
will be appalled, at the size of the bill
when congress finally makes mp its
mind TO buy.
Handsome Buildings Going Up.
Private enterprise Is doing u good
deal for the development If the city
along lines Of stability and beauty. IL
Is expected hat the great cathedral
Of the Protestant Episcopal church
which Is under course of erection OH a
site overlooking the valley of the Po-
a1,.aa .x,flI hn aanNnIntn1 In G..n
An intensive campaign for funds to
finish the cathedral is now being con-
Quoted.
The Masons are to erect a great tenn
pie on another hill overlooking The
city. The government up to the time
that the war came constantly was
building. It has plans for more
structures. notable one which will
couple the two existing wings of the
Agricultural departments home go
that the edlfice will become an entity.
The Mall with the few buildings upon
It is a beautiful place today, but It
never will have Its full beauty until
the thanking buildings of mean aspect
on Pennsylvania avenue shall have
disappeared.
The great National museums treas
ures are beautifully housed. but no
one can see the building unless he
goes to the river side of Pennsylvania
avenue and gets clear of the labyrinth
of stores, markets and small buildings
Of odd kinds.
Washington has many beautiful
buildings, most of which are hiding
their beauty under a bushel.
Mrs. Harding to Live in Capital.
Mrs. Warren G. Harding has leased
an apartment on Massachusetts uvenue
in this city and it is sal that she will
reside here during the coming winter.
II may be that it is the intention of
Mrs. Harding to make this city her res
idence for the rest of her life. although
II is hardly believed in Washington
that such will be the case.
Many widows of men who have held
high office in the capital of the coun.
try have chosen to remain in Washing
ton TO pass the days of their widow.