Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
CAPITOL PARKWAY
WORK NEAR START
Extensive improvements viii
5iye Structure imposing
Beauty Originally Intended.
By WILL II. REMEDY.

Extensive improvements which
eventually will entirely surround the
Capitol building and grounds, giving
this structure, which il the material
heart OF the Government, a more i'm
posing and impressive setting, are to
start Immediately, with the tearing
down Of old and disreputable dwell
ings that now occupy three Of the
twelve squares between the Capitol
and Union Station.
In this program Is included the
completion OF the Capitol itself. which,
with the White House and the Treas
ury, sets the standard for public build
ings at the seat of Government. With
the $4,000, 900 public building pro-
gram attracting SO much attention,
those who are most concerned in the
upbuilding of the ideal Capital City
here again emphasize that since the
Capitol and the White House are the
chief buildings Of the Nation, no struc-
Eture should be permitted even toseem
to outrank them. Current appropria.
tions make provision for improve
ments to the White House, to correct
a. deplorably unsafe structural con0l-
ton, and for developments entirely
surrounding the Capitol grounds, and
greatly extending them. which have
been planned for more than q quarter
Of century.
Capitol Building Incomplete.
The CAPITOL building itself has never
been completed, and this will be
urged as one Of the great tasks that
the next session of Congress should
undertake.. Senator Dale, Republican
Of Vermont and Representative Mon
tague. Democrat, of Virginia, are lead
ers in insisting that this duty should
be neglected no longer.
The Anal purchase of the IL squares
of land between the Capitol and
Union Station is one Of the greatest
Capital development schemes put
through in the 125 years since the
Government moved its chattels here
in q packet boat. The decision by the
Commission Of Fine Arts, In confer
ence with David Lynn, architect Of
the Capitol, during the week just
passed, that this area should be de
veloped as q park and that no public
buildings or monuments should be al
lowed to encroach upon 1t so as tC
preserve an unobstructed vista from
the main gateway, was of tremendous
Importance to the future OF the city
There is to be no haphazard work
done in that area. The entire scheme
of Improvement is being most care.
fully considered. The conferences with
the Commission Of Fine Arts was but
one OF many that are being held. Mr..
LYNN has sought the advice OF the
new city planning commission, al
though ii must be made plain that
Congress itself retains exclusive con-
trol over this entire area surrounding
the Capitol and has no intention of
releasing any Of 1t to the National
Capital Park and city Planning Com
mission.
Parsons May Get Job.
The services Of one Of the best land.
scape architecf% In the country win
also be obtained to work OUT the de-
tails Of developing the entire afea sur
rounding the Capitol 50 that It may
be q complete. symmetrical and har-
monious arrangement. William r..
Parsons Of Chicago probably viii get
this lob. He recently made thor.
ough study for Congress on the pro-
posed relocation and enlargement Of
the National Botanic Garden, which
is fc fit III with the general scheme for
q more impressive framing Of the
Capitol.
Mr.. Parsons Ii q city planner 0f
international renown. He was con-s
sulting architect for the United States
Government In the Philippines I'M
1906, and the general plan for the
city OF Manila and Baguio We're car
ried out under his direction. He de-
signed some Of the most important
public buildings, planned the festoras
lContinhed on Fage 5. ColHnsIl 3