Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-02
Sites Proposed for the
War-Navy Buildings

The recent discussions relating to
effort to find locations for additional
public buildings, particularly for the
War Department and the Navy Depart
ment, have prompted the suggestion
as sites for them of space along New
York avenue from Fifteenth street east
ward to the District Library and on
Massachusetts avenue from the Public
Library to the new avenue which Is to
extend from the Union Railway Station
to Pennsylvania avenue and on that
avenue to Pennsylvania avenue at about
Third street. That course added to
present Pennsylvania avenue would pro-
vide two major courses of communica-
ton between the White House and the
Capitol, each well suited for the loca-
ton of public buildings.
In this connection, we must recog-
nize the inspirational and cultural value
of fine architectural structures, indie
pendently of the activities carried on
within those buildings. Many fine
buildings are of value in this way to
thousands of people who never enter
those buildings.
The Lincoln Memorial is an example
of a building serving, we might say,
exclusively by its impressive and in
spirational exterior. A cathedral of inn
posing and graceful design may in
fiuence, in an inspirational manner,
more people than are influenced by
entering the building, not because the
services in the cathedral are in any
manner lacking, but because many more
people see only the exterior of the
cathedral opportunity for that being
afforded at all times during all days ana
all nights.
An officer of the United States Army,
while visiting in India, went to see the
Tai Mahal. The exterior of that build
ing and its splendid setting so appealed
to this officer that he stayed there five
days and five nights in order that he
might repeatedly view the building from
all directions and under all variations
of light in the daytime and at night.
In further locating public buildings
here in Washington, our Capital City,
it is extremely important that recog-
milton be given to this inspirational and
cultural functioning of such buildings.
The suggested course along New York
avenue and Massachusetts avenue is in
large measure suitable in this respect.
Such buildings placed along that course
will be seen by many people, because
many people travel along and across
that course.
Public buildings along that course will
be conveniently accessible by various
transportation means, from all direc-
tons, by occupants of the buildings and
by persons who visit those buildings on
business or for pleasure.
This treatment of this course will
eliminate much that is now common
place or ugly.
Sites for other public buildings may
be found in the area between the sug-
gested course and Pennsylvania avenue.
Public buildings along the Pennsyl-
vania avenue cour-2 have the larger
portion of Washington population 10
Gated northward The higher land at
the north and at each end detracts
from the Pennsylvania avenue course,
that higher land, and the buildings
thereon, tending to dwarf buildings
along the Avenue.
The area along the south of the Mall
is not convenient for public buildings
nor adapted to serve many people
through external effect. The suggested
location for the War and Navy Building
south of the present Botanic Garden is
similarly limited.
The ideal location for such buildings,
other things being equal. would be in
the center of city, in order that the
distribution of population around those
buildings would be approximately equal
IN all directions.
But suggesting such a central loca-
ton Is not TO be taken as recommending
close massing of the buildings. There
should be ample, but related, distribu-
ton, in order that the various buildings
may be given the benefit of the artistic
effect attending ground space around
them. No architectural structure can
be at its best without such surround
ings. If the New York avenue and
Massachusetts avenue course is used
there will be opportunity to separate
such buildings at such distances as will
afford best artistic effect. That course
is really well adapted to receive stately
buildings.
And that course is well adapted to be
paired with the Pennsylvania course for
connecting the White House and the
Capitol.
For the rapidly growing Capital City
of this growing Nation there is con-
slant tendency to insufficient measur-
ing for the future. Delays in acquiring
school sites and park extensions are ex-
amples
Our National Government will need
more buildings than are now under con-
temptation. All branches and depart
ments are growing. All the additional
space here suggested, and more. will be
needed. CYRUS KEHR.