Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-08
BEAUTY OF WHITE
HOUSE THREATENED
Building Plans Also Mean
SpoiIation of Capital, Says
Architects Institute.

Declaring the settings of the White
House and the Capitol are being
spoiled by the inroads of Office build
ings, the American Institute Of
Architects today warned Congress
that the Government must imme-
diately acquire all lands in these areas
mercial spoilage.
eff action is not taken by this Con-
gress," the protest declares, the
damage win be done before another
Congress convenes."
Horace w. Peaslee, chairman of the
committee on plan of Washington
which made an extensive study of the
situation for the American Institute
of Architects, issued the warning to
Congress, in which he states that the
fundamentals of the Mcmillan Com
mission for preserving the architec-
tural surroundings Of the White
House and Capitol are In jeopardy.
Lafayette Square Cited.
"If order is to prevail" he said,
"the ban against Government build
ings on Lafayette Square should be
lifted and the property in jeopardy
acquired before the improvements are
made" The same situation, he points
ont. APPLIES to the Capitol Plaza.
unfortunately, the statement points
out. the blanket protection to the Nc
MILAN plan was removed by an amend.
ment to the public buildings bill passed
at the last session Of Congress elimi-
mating areas north of Pennsylvania
avenue from Government develop
ment. AS result of this amendment,
Mr.. Peaslee declares, historic buildings
along Lafayette Square and the Capt.
tol Plaza are being removed to make
way for high commercial buildings.
Meanwhile, the directors OF the
Washington Board of Trade, meeting
last night, took cognizance of the sit
uation affecting the White House. I'm
mediate acquisition by the Government
of privately owned land fronting on
the north side of Lafayette Square
was approved as a means of protecting
the White House from being "over-
Swallowed" by other buildings.
Action was taken in approving re-
port by it's committee on public and
private buildings, Robert F. Beresford,
chairman, which was presented by Mr..
Peaslee, and the committee was di-
rected to seek necessary congressional
action.
Private Interests Considered.
Stipulation was made, however, that
due consideration be given to private
interests involved and that no handi-
cap be placed in the way of the pres
ent movement for purchase and de-
velopment of the triangle of land south
of Pennsylvania avenue. The legis-
lative program to correct this situa-
ton was along the same lines as
recommended by the American Insti-
tute of Architects.
Mr. Peaslee in his statement to the
directors referred, among other COM
mercial plans for Lafayette Square, to
the projected Carleton Chambers. soon
to be erected by Harry Wardman on
the northwest corner of Sixteenth and
H streets.
The statement of the committee for
the institute follows:
1.-THE development of the National
Capital is based on plan made by
L Enfant, under the personal direction
of Washington, with the assistance
Of Jefferson. Subsequent disregard Of
this plan led to great confusion in
street extensions and in location Of
public buildings. To meet this situa-
tion there was formed in 1901, COM
mission of the foremost American
Characterization, organizing genius
of the Chicago Worlds Fair: McKim,
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