Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-02
CAPITAL BECOMES
C|TYPLAN 4CL|N|C"
OF ARCHITECTURE
Valuable Lessons for All Com
munities in America Are
to Be Found.
INSTITUTE LAUNCHES
NATIONWIDE CRUSADE
Mellon Film, Showing Progress in
Washington, to Be Distributed
Throughout Country.

The National Capital, in the midst of
a gigantic development program, has
become virtual architectural clinic"
where lessons valuable to every city and
community in America may be learned
by the Nations city planners.
In making public today this opinion,
the American Institute Of Architects
announced the launching of campaign
for "the immediate adoption of SINH
larly cS-ordinated city and regional
plans by every community throughout
the country"
AS the initial step in the campaign,
the institute has duplicated film made
under the direction of Secretary Mellon,
showing what Washington is accom-
plishing, and what other cities may &C
complish. through systematic layout
and building" The film will be dis
tributed through chapters Of the Or
ganization for exhibition widely to
groups of architects, city planners and
civic interests.
Amazing Progress" Is Cited.
mot casual, but an amazing pro-
gress, has been made in the develop
ment of the Federal City" Horace w.
Peaslee, chairman of the institutes
committee on the National Capital, de-
clared in report made public by c.
Herrick Hammond of Chicago, presi-
dent of the institute.
THE extent of this progress best can
be realized by comparing present con-
ditioEs with conditions five years ago.
In 1928 the development of Washington
was handicapped not only by lack of
funds, but by lack of co-ordinated.
comprehensive planning. Not only was
there lack of cooperation in planning.
but there was large factor OF planning
at cross-purposeS.
THE Mall idea was a project of dis
agreement. The park system was lag
ging away behind the growth of popu-
lation. The highway system was devel-
oping without regard for its inter-
relationship with parks and other ele-
ments of city planning. The public
buildings system was practically at
standstill. Private building development
was taking scant recognition OF It's OBJ
legations to the Capital OF the Nation,
and Congress. witnessing the general
confusion, gave appropriations gTudg-
ingly.
took the position that If definite pre-
gram of development were established
| this confusion would be eliminated aud
| II appointed q Special CCEl2Izl1s-SG 40 IL
velop this line Of procedure
Results Justify Theory"
Results have amply justified the
| theory. In five years almost uloehsv-
able accomplishments have been mace
| The planning commission has evolved
| comprehensive plans for the District O.
| Columbia and for the entire region. II
| has the sympathetic and active support
| Commission. 1t has received the begin
nings of support from similar Virginia
Planning Commission.
mot only have plans of vast scope
been developed. but they have been put
| under way. The country at large has
, caught the idea and from every State
has come organized support:
THE founders of the city carefully
considered the relation of private to
public development. The original regu-
! iations, established by President Wash
| ington, were based on such conditions
as thought reasonable by the President
, for regulating the materials and man.
ners of the buildings and improvements
generally.
for minimum heights. character OF ma
terials and coordination with definite
building lines on certain streets.
"Yet for decades the main consider
ations were structural safety and fire
prevention.
Zoning Works a Change.
"Gradually, under coming, came other
considerations of health. safety and
public order, with classification of areas
according to use, height and area oc-
cupancy.
FINALLY came a movement inaugu-
rated by Washington architects. volun-
tarily to censor their own work, which
they have carried forward faithfully for
architecture, with weekly Juries and
finally with monthly boards Of review.
1.-THE results obtained have been due
in large measure to sympathetic contact
developed between the Planning Com
mission and the legislative bodies. In
all. more than $116,000000 has been
authorized for Federal buildings and
improvements in the Capital
From a standstill. the public build
ings project has jumped to 100000
900 project for the triangle between
Pennsylvania avenue, B street and Fit-
tenth. OF this total, $25.000,000 has
been authorized for the purchase of the
land and $50,000,000 toward the build
Fan appropriation Of $5,o0o,o0o has
been made for the development of the
area between the Union Station and
the Capitol, including new highway
connections and carrying with 1t au-
thority for the development of the Mall.
Municipal Center Plays Part.
"a $25,OOO00 project has been au-
thorized for new municipal center on
the north side of Pennsylvania avenue.
Another $l4,000,000 has been author
ICED for the Arlington Memorial Bridge
and its connections, which include the
DEVELOPMENT of B street as memorial
highway to the foot of Capitol Hill, and
S45O, OO0, 900 has been appropriated for
the development Of the Mount Vernon
Boulevard.
aside from any question Of appro-
priations, the Government is giving full
consideration to the importance OF hav-
ing its work carried out by the ablest
men it can obtain.
"In this connection should be noted
a changed attitude on the part of the
professions. We no longer find scram-
Bile for Government work. We find in
stead the ablest men willing to give
hugely of their time and ability with
out compensation.
1.-THE work has progressed step by
step, gathering Roadway as public opin-
lon has developed demand for the
completion Of the plan.'
Architects in every part OF the United
States should become more intimately
acquainted with the momentous work
of development of their Capital, Mr..
Peaslee, asserted, and communities