Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-27
0vershadowing the White House.

lose his life at sea or on land.
0vershadowing the White House.
The White House, officially known
as "the Executive Mansion" until it's
occupancy by President Roosevelt,
which was the first of the Govern
ment buildings to be erected, was in
tended with the Capitol to dominate
the entire Government establishment
and its environment.
When reconstruction Of the White
House was ordered by Congress In
1902, President Roosevelt saw the I'M
portance Of stressing the spirit in
which the work was being done by.
stating in a message to Congress that
"the White House Is the property OF
the Nation, and so far as Is compatible
with living therein 1t shall be kept as
it originally was, for the same reason
that we keep Mount Vernon as 1t orig
inally was" In carrying out the work
the original plans of James Hoban,
architect of the Presidents House"
were carefully studied, so that this
structure, enshrined in the hearts OF
the 100 200, 900 people of the country,
stands today more nearly than during
the first century Of its life In fulfill
ment Of Hoban's first intent.
It's environment must be protected
from decadence and the White House
must not be overshadowed. This is
the mandate of the Commission OF
Fine Arts, supported by the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion and other organizations working
for the proper development and en-
bellishment Of the Capital City in &C
cordance with the plans of Washing
ton and LEnfant brought up to date
and reckoning with modern condi-
tons.
The organized business of the
United States, in response to a pro-
mitigation from the business capitol
directly across Lafayette Park from
the executive offices in the White
House. is conducting a cooperative
campaign to save the White House
from the encroaching tide of CONNER
cial structures fast surrounding La
fayette Square. The board of direc-
tors of the Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States viii urge Congress
when 1t reassembles to enact legisla-
ton which will assure the country
that around this square there will be
erected only buildings of such appear
ance and for such uses as will make
them suitable to face the White
House."
This appeal Is in support Of, and to
prevent abandonment Of, the plan OF
the Commission of Fine Arts for the
establishment of an executive center"
around the square, and to preserve
the dignity Of the White House in
proper setting.
The Chamber of Commerce Build
ing, which is the business capitol"
occupies the site of the old Daniel
Webster residence. where he enter
tanned Lord Ashburton while nego.
tiating the famous treaty known by
his name, and the site Of the Admiral
Stockton house. later occupied by
Senator John Slidell and Secretaries
Welles, Lamont and Alger. 1t was de-
signed by Cass Gilbert in accordance
with the plan of the Commission of
Fine Arts. So also was the Treasury
Annex. on the east side Of the square.
"It is hoped that the future develop
ment of the remainder of Lafayette
Square may proceed along the lines so
auspiciously begun" said the Com
mission of Fine Arts.
The historic mansion Of the late
John Hay, Secretary of State under
Mckinley and Roosevelt, poet, author
and biographer of Lincoln. which
stood at Sixteenth and II streets, has
been demolished to make way for an
apartment house which a. Washington
builder intended to erect on that site.
The actual construction has been de.
layed. at the earnest solicitation OF
the agencies most interested in proper
development of the Capital and
preservation of the White House
yicinage, while efforts are being made
TO have this site purchased by public
spirited citizens, and held until such
time as the Government is ready to
build a proper institution upon it.
There is a national interest" the
board of directors Of the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States de-
clare, lin the preservation of the dig
nifty of the White House, both be-
cause it is the official residence Of the
President of the United States and
because it has become a building of
such historical associations that it is
an outstanding national monument"