Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-14

Congress at the past session had
before 1t q plan fer the creation
OF a commission to study the needs
OF a more adequate housing for a
national museum of industrial
arts, to recommend a site for q
proposed new building and other
related matters. During the hec-
tic closing hours of the past Con-
greSS the Senate passed this meas
ure, but it failed of passage in the
House and the matter was de-
ferred.
Has Had Long Career.
This venerable brick structure, dis
tinctlve with its towers, spires and dome
has had a varied and colorful career
1t also has been one of the focal points
OF interest alike to Washingtonians and
to many thousands of visitors to the
National Capital.
Its career opened first as the scene
OF the inaugural ball OF President Gar
field, March A, 1881. 1t was first the
home of the National Museum and still
is better known as the old National
Museum Building than as the Arts and
Industries Building. With the con-
Struction Of the New National Museum
Building on the north side of the Mall
it was turned to other purposes and
now is packed and damned with an
amazing array of exhibits in connec-
ton with its use as museum of engi-
neering and industrial craftsmanship.
Just now it has an uncertain future
tenure of life-but this is no new expe-
rience for the old building. 1t has been
destined to the mercies of wrecking
crews of some future date since the
adoption of the Mcmillan pan for the
Federal development of Washington in
1901. That plan contemplated the
eventual continuation of Ninth street
through the Mall and since such a
thoroughfare would run through the
eastern wing of the building its ra2ing
appeared certain. if and when the street
plan was carried out.
Would Be Replaced.
Replacement of the old building by a
new, larger and more adequate indus
trial museum was definitely contem-
PLATED in the resolution passed recently
by the Senate. Plans to this end have
been in the mind of officials for long
time.
Provision Of nsw housing for the one
ard only large collection Of industrial
exhibits depicting the development OF
the greatest industrial Nation in the
world is the key to the situation. The
street matter might be postponed IN
definitely regardless Of traffic needs.
but If the old Museum building is to be
wiped out of the park some place must
be found for its huge array OF material
exhibits.
Planning officials say the new build
ing is to be provided before the old
building comes down. How long that
"life sentence" will be remains for fu-
ture developments to reveal.
DR.. Alexander Wetmore OF the otticial
staff of the museum this week discussed
hopes for a new building. The Old Ma
tional Museum, now the Arts and In
dustries Building. he said. was regarded
as the last word" in museum construc-
ton when il was completed in 1881.
But since, he added, it has become an
tiquated, unsatisfactory in facilities and
obsolescent, and should be replaced. 1t
contains much wasted space, due to its
design.
Has Popular Exhibits.
The museum building is packed with
q wide variety of exhibits Of popular
appeal In it hangs the Spirit Of st.
Louis. the plane in which Col. Charles
Lindbergh made his historic fight to
Paris. and the Wright airplane, dated
CONTINUED on Second Page.)