Evening star., 1925-04-26
The Disfguring War Buildings.

The presence Of the temporary war
buildings on the Mall and in Potomac
Park in this city has been a cause Of
much distress to all Washingtonians
who regard the Capital with affection.
Their removal as quickly as they ca 1
he replaced for the housing of such
bureaus and other branches of Gov
ernment work located in them has
been viewed as essential TO the main.
tenance Of the distinctive character of
the city. Owing TO the lack of legisla-
tive action providing for adequate
building equipment here. however, the
use of these buildings continues and
restoration Of the park is postponed.
The American Institute of Archi.
tects at its ffty.eighth annual conven.
tion in New York has adopted a reso-
luton urging President Coolidge TO
take steps to modify or remove these
buildings. which mar the Lincoln
Memorial, belittle the solemnity of the
o Washington Monument and are ruin
GUS to the beauty of Washington 5
quested to call on the Commission of
Fine Arts to canvass the situation
with view so to alter the fronts of
these buildings as to render them
harmless to the park system, or to
take such steps as are necessary for
their removal and for the replanting
of the space with the forestry which
the original plan provided. 1t is further
urged that the completion of George
Washington's plans for the Capital
and the opening "of a glorified City of
Washington to the Nation and the
world" be effected by 1882, the 20otn
anniversary of his birth.
1t is impossible to conceive any
alteration that will render these build
ings harmless to the park system"
No thought should be entertained OF
their maintenance permanently in any
guise. They are intruders upon the
park area, distinctly designed as
temporary. and, though in two in
stances substantially constructed, are
altogether undesirable as permanent
features Of the Capital.
The Government housing problem
Is one of difficulty. Departments and
bureaus are congested and scattered.
More structures are needed urgently
Congress is convinced of this need.
but owing to legislative conditions a
large-scale building plan for the City
OF Washington could not be adopted
at the late session. 1t is hoped, in
deed it is expected, that such a pla n
will be enacted into law next Winter.
Some of these buildings now tres.
passing on the park space will not en-
dure much longer. They are already
decrepit, and as housings for Govern
ment works, and particularly for pub
lie files. are wholly unsuitable and
even dangerous. The best interests of
the Government require their replace
ment speedily. The two larger build.
ings in Potomac Park more solidlv
built will endure Indefinitely but are
nevertheless an intrusion and a blem-
ish. and regardless Of their cost. or the
cost Of their replacement, they should
he doomed to destruction Just as
quickly as other quarters can be pro
vided to shelter their present occu.
pants.
A survey of the situation might lead
to action, but it is not necessary for
the conclusion that these structures
are makeshifts that disfgure the Capi.
tai, and that should be removed Just
as soon as funds can be provided and
spent in the construction of per.
manent Government quarters.