Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21
EAST CAPITOL PLAN
BOOSTED ASASSET
Allied Architects Explain
Original Scheme Was for
Expansion to AnacoStia.

The National Capital Park and Plan
ing Commission and the Fine Arts Com
mission are studying a plan to beautify
East Capitol street from the Capitol to
the Anacostia River. The Allied Archi-
tects, Inc, a group of WashingtonianS,
is cooperating in the project and all
ready preliminary plans have been
drawn up, contemplating the erection
Of a number of stately buildings along
this thoroughfare, terminating on the
banks of the river in a great stadium.
Lincoln Park, under the plans, would
become transformed into Independence
Square, and the Washington that has
been growing at tremendous rate to the
northwest would be developed to the
eastward, as was originally intended by
the founders.
Plans Already Drawn.
Horace w. Pesslee, acting for his
colleagues in Allied Architects of WASH
ington, Inc, has submitted plans for
this ambitious program to the Arts and
Planning Commissions. The architects
believe that there is yet ample time
for the construction of an adequate
stadium on the banks of the AnacoStia
River before the George Washington
bicentennial celebrations in 1882 take
place.
The establishing of Independence
Square would represent the traditional
development of Washington, in con-
formity with the L'Enfant plan. in the
belief of the architects and planners,
and series of suggestions for this
project is now available, representing
the thought of 80 persons from 10
architectural schools.
According to the architects plans, the
development falls into three phases
the expansion of East Capitol street
from the Capitol to the river, the i'm
provement of Lincoln Park and the
construction of the giant stadium near
the Anacostia River, with resultant
identification of that area.
Buildings Fit in Scheme.
The Federal Government now is en-
gagged in erecting the new building for
the Supreme Court of the United States
near the Capitol, and David Lynn
architect of the Capitol, is studying
plans for the expansion of the Library
of Congress to make additional room
for the numerous volumes that are COM
ing from the printing presses of this
and foreign nations.
The Folger Memorial Building. that
will house valuable Shakespearean coll
lection, is an attractive building on
East Capitol street just east of the
structure that those. interested in the
proper development of this thorough
fare would like to see constructed.
Mr.. Peaslee recalled yesterday that
the City of Washington was projected
from Jenkins HILL on which the Capt.
toll stands, as the most desirable part
OF the new city. The Capitol Building
faces the east, and it was in this direc-
ton that the original planners desired
~ -lNxoT
Capital developed to the west. however,
not only because the White House was
located in that section, but, the hiSto-
rians say, because real estate develop
ers purchased the property TO the east
and held it, hoping to reap handsome
profits.
East Needs Assistance.
The entire Federal development has
been to the west of the Capitol, Mr.
Peaslee pointed out, for the Mall, the
great public buildings and the great
avenues lie to the west, although the
eastern section of the Capital was orig
inally deemed the most desirable.
IF Washington is to be developed as
q balanced capital, the city should be
expanded to the east" Mr.: PeaSlee said.
This has already in part been ac-
complished by the enhancement of the
Capitol, Mr.. Peaslee maintained. The
Library of Congress is not considered
as a subordinate development, but as a
complete unit and is more in competi-
ton with the Capitol. in his opinion.
It blocked in its placement the radial
line Of Pennsylvania avenue to the
southeast, cutting of the view of the
Capitol from the approach in that d.
rection, he asserted. The House and
Senate ONCE Buildings followed but
properly subordinated. so that they were
considered enframing elements, Mr..
PeaSlee explained. -----.-~- $780,
Charles w. Eliot I'd, director of
planning of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. has drawn
up a proposed plan. under which East
Capitol street would become the Ave
nue. of the States"