Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-19
BY REX COLLIER.

Argentina is quaLlneQ 10 teacn the
world, and North America in particu-
lar. few profitable lessons in capital
building.
What Argentina has done for her
federal city, Buenos Aires, f1ttingly il
Illustrates her forsightedness. generosity
and proficiency in the realm of city
planning
Some years ago her Pennsylvania
avenue" the Avenida de Mayo, connect
ing the presidential palace and the
congress building, was lined partially
with squat, decrepit structures COM
parable to some of the building along
Americas own Pennsylvania avenue.
Appropriating millions of dollars for
the work, the government wiped out the
unsightly buildings, widened the
thoroughfare to 100 feet and. in short,
created one of the worlds most mag
nificent boulevards.
President-elect Hoover, always a
campaigner for more, beautiful Ma
tional Capital in his own country. rode
through this boulevard In company With
President Irigoyen and voiced his I'M
reserved admiration over its splendid
buildings. its verdant parks and its
broad eastern terminus, the Plaza de
Mayo. fronting on which is the Casa
FtOSdud, vi plilh uouSC, ACSAACAASS VA
the President
Exclaims at Beauty.
He exclaimed at the beauty Of the
Avenida Alvear, principal residential
tnoroughfare, whose broad expanse Of
paving and parkways is f1anked with
palatial homes and palm shaded gar
dens. He was driven through marvel
Gus public parks distinguished by
statuary of marble and bronze, fam
tastic fountains and promenades
fringed with Towering shrubs. young
bamboo trees and stately royal palms.
Accompanied by the 'intendent NUM-
cipal," or city manager, and by the di-
rector general of navigation, Mr.. Hoover
was taken on a tour of the new port
facilities, including the big canals which
have enabled Buenos Aires to receive
ocean-going vessels right at her door.
Situated on the La Plata River, 172
miles inland from its mouth, the city
had expended many millions of dollars
in providing deep channels to her great
docks.
He visited the big cathedral and
placed a wreath on the tomb of Gen.
Jose de San Martin, the famous hero
liberator of Argentina, and he viewed
the imposing statue of George Wash
ington in the Parque de Febrero.
He lunched on the first day of his
visit in the state dining room of the
Palacios de Congress- as guest of the
presidents of the Senate and the
Chamber of Deputies. The parliament
building is suggestive somewhat Of the
Capitol in Washington, except that its
dome is smaller and of narrower pro-
portions.
Banquet at Palace.
That night he was rendered bril-
liant banquet in the presidential palace,
had been invited. This function was
one of the highlights of the entire
trip. Undoubtedly it was one of the
most lavish affairs Of Its kind ever held
in South America.
The President-elect was met in the
reception hall of the palace by the
Argentine President and escorted up a
grand staircase of marble beneath an
arch of shining sabers held by the San
Martin Grenadiers. The grenadiers,
comprising Argentine's most famous
military unit, wore uniforms of blue and
red and glittering metal helmets. The
uniforms were duplicates Of that worn
by Gen. San Martin, whose hfe-size
portrait hung at the head OF the stairs.
The banquet table was laid in the
salon blanco" of the palace. against
respondent background Of mirrors, crys-
tai and gold.
1t was there that President Irigoyen
voiced his formal welcome in an elo-
quent speech that stressed Argentina's
affection for the United States. He paid
Mr.. Hoover the remarkable compliment
of reading the address himself, instead
Of handing 1t to an aid, as is the GUS
tom.
Argentina" he said, elf not America
and the world at large. hopes that from
your Nation will radiate such high and
pacific ideals as hat which led your
eminent late President to convoke all
peoples at Geneva after the tragic
slaughter of contemporary civilization.
SO that at a solemn sanctuary they
should reafflrm for posterity the eternal
and enlightening precept, Love one an
other"
Hoover Reads Speech.
Americas President-elect had intend
ed to have his speech read by Ambassa-
dor Fletcher. but he followed the exam
pie set by President Irigoyen and read
| it himself.
"The liberalism which was born Of