Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-08
ENGINEERS SURVEY
FOR MALL GARDEN
Research Started to Test
Feasibility of Monument
Expansion Plan.

Moving toward completion of the
approaches and surroundings Of the
Washington Monument in carrying
out the plan of 1901 for treatment Of
the entire Mall area, engineers of the
Arlington Memorial Bridge Commits
sion have begun research and survey
work into the foundations of the
Monument with a view to recommend
ing whether or not the sunken garden
and massive stone steps contemplated
on the North and West sides of the
Monument may be constructed.
J. T.. Nagel, one of the engineers
of the bridge commission has laid be-
fore Lieut.. Col. u. S. Grant, Sd,
executive officer of the bridge commits.
sion and the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, report
on the findings of the engineers who
mt I'D the massive shaft more than
a half century ago, accompanying the
report with observations and recon-
mendations Of his own that are under
stood to declare there is no reason
why the 1901 plan should not be car
ried out in it's entirety in SO far as it
affects the Monument, unless the con-
struction planned approaches too close
to the base of the shaft.
Col. Grant has not yet seen the
Nagel report, as he has been out of
the city since last week. At the same
time support from an organization
outside the Government i'm the work
of completing the 1901 plan for the
Monument grounds has been asked by
Col. Grant, who recently wrote the
American Society of Civil Engineers
asking their cooperation in the pre-
liminary studies that must be made.
Money Is Lacking.
1t Is the hope Of the Park and
Planning Commission officials that
the sunken gardens on the north and
stone steps on the west side Of the
Monument, along with the circular re-
flecting pool between the shaft and
Seventeenth street, may be completed
in time for the celebration of the
200th anniversary of the birth OF
George Washington In 1882.
A specific appropriation for survey
has not been made, nor has money
been appropriated for beginning the
work. the studies that have already
been made having been paid for out
of current funds not otherwise specl.
ficaIIv provided for. Nor have ground
borings been made. Mr.. Nagel having
satisfied himself in the work under
taken so far with studies of the work
of the engineers who set up the huge
shaft and strengthened it's foundations
in the decade between 1870 and 1880.
In place of the grassy slopes now
the Washington MOnu'
ment the 1901 plan provides for plaza
treatment of the immediate area, with
sunken gardens running north to
street. northwest and southwest ana
of two rejecting pools,
one Of circular shape and the otheI
rectangular, between the steps ana
street, the whole concep.
ton to tie in with the broad sweep OF
the Mall eastward from the Lincoln
Memorial and it's rejecting pool. North
and south from the monument axis
a broad concourse Is planned where
now grassy hillsides slope away from
the base of the shaft. On the east the
concourse will slope off gradually
Fourteenth street, balanced on
the west by massive steps, 800 feet III
length and 40 feet high. ag~+gs =
Arts Body Support.
The entire concept has the whole
hearted approval of the National Com
mission of Fine Arts, whose members
believe it should be rushed to compile
ton in time for the celebration of the
II zsn1
Under the 1901 plan, the Fine Arts
Commission says. the rows OF elms
now bordering the Mall on either side
climb the slope up to the Monument
and, spreading to right and left on ex-
tended terraces, form a great body of
green, strengthening the broad plat
form from which the obelisk rises in
ma jestic serenity. The groves on the
terraces become places of rest from
which one gets wide views of the busy
city: of the White House, surrounded
by it's ample grounds. of the Capitol,
the heights at the end of the
broad VISTA of sunny stretches OF river
at the, foot of the Virginia
hills
"Axial relation" the commission
adds. between the White House and
the Monument are created by the con-
struction Of a sun.,en garden on the
western side Of the great shaft, the
true line passing through the center
of a great round pool. to which marble
steps 800 feet in width lead down 40
feet from the Monument platform.
by terraces bearing elms,
laid out with formal paths lined by
hedges and adorned with small trees,
enriched by fountains and templelike
structures, this garden becomes the
gem of the Mall sy-tem. Teen from
the lower level, the Monument gains
an additional height of nearly 45 feet,
while, at the same time. nothing is
suffered TO coma so near az to disturb