Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-18
The Nations City.

1ue predominant Theme OF the mSpr-
ing speeches delivered before the dis
tinguished audience assembled in Con-
stitution Hall last night to discuss the
future of Washington was the concep.
ton Of the Federal Capital as the COM
mon property of every American; its
development as privilege extending
beyond the political boundaries Of cities
and States. rightly to be shared by
every American.
In his letter to Mr.. Delano who pre-
sided at the meeting, President Hoover
described the creation, In 1926, Of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission as one Of the fundamental
steps taken in national recognition Of
our need and opportunity to build the
most effective and most beautiful Capt.
tai city In the world. I" It Is our
national ambition to make a great and
effective city for the seat of our Gov
eminent, with dignity, character and
symbolism truly representative Of Amer
lea. AS a Nation we have resolved that
1t shall be accomplished. To succeed in
the fullest measure we have need for
planning not only within the District
Of Columbia, but also for cooperation
from the adjacent States. greatly ap-
preciate the presence here upon this
mission Of the leaders Of both Virginia
and Maryland"
In the presence Of Gov. Ritchie and
Gov. Pollard there was significant SYM
bolisn. AS the leaders Of the adjacent
States they have assumed the tangible
responsibility for cooperating in Cap
ital building by legislative action that
makes possible the coordination Of
the different phases of the regional
plan for the Federal City; the extern
sion Of the Capital beyond the ten
miles square. Their addresses last night
we're adequate guarantees that the
neighboring States have become i'm
bued with a fine sense Of their re-
sponsibility to the Federal City that
VIII be manifested in practical steps
taken to carry 1t out.
And further evidence that plans for
washington's future are regarded as
the responsibility Of the Nation was
given in Col. Grants flne summary Of
the important aspects Of Capital devel-
opment as seen from his strategic posi-
ton as executive oflcer Of the Park
and Planning Commission. His dis
cussion Of the height limitation prob
lem Of this city, for instance, was based
on the fundamental theory that the
dome Of the Capitol should dominate
the spires and towers on the roofs Of
other buildings, an argument that In
manner relegates discussion Of build
ing heights merely as . local problem OF
the washington community. His anal
ysis Of the highway plan and Of skirt
ing boulevards for Washington was I'M
dertaken from the broad aspect Of the
city planner whose problem is to make
the Capital truly the embodiment Of
Americas highest attainment In the
art Of city building" while Arthur
Shurtleff Of Boston, the newly elected
president Of the National Society OF
Landscape Architects, emphasized the
viewpoint that the American people
"frst, last and all the time" want this
beautiful city now in the making land
are willing to pay for It."
After hundred years or 50 Of pitiful
neglect of the American Capital, such
meetings as those held last night come
as inspiring reinsurance that the re-
Nuisance Of the last twenty-five years
gains in strength and that the ideals
so nobly expressed by the fathers
in their original conception Of the
American Capital are becoming the
ideals Of the Nation.