Evening star., 1931-12-20

! legislation to place a fountain and
landscaping at Chevy Chase Circle,
! Charles Moore, chairman Of the Com
| mission of Fine Arts, yesterday empha-
| sized the value and deShability of
having more fountains and more dis
plays of water In the National Capital.
Several new pools and fountains are
| now in prospect, Mr.. Moore explained,
but he thinks that many more could
well be used in the development of the
city. During the past few years, he
charged, Washington has been losing
fountains instead of gaining them.
The legislation to provide for develop
ment of Chevy Chase Circle was in
troduced in the Senate by Senator Fess
Of Ohio. and in the House by Repre-
sentative Sol Bloom Of New York, and
in each case was referred to the Com
thorize the director of public buildings
and public parks of the National
Capital, who Is now Lieut. Col. U. s.
Grant, Sd, to accept donations for the
appropriate development Of the circle
with fountain and landscapmg. The
final designs are to be approved by the
Fine Arts Commission before being exc
cuted. according to the bill. Repre-
sentative Bloom said yesterday he felt
that Washington should have more
fountains, especially where they are TO
be gifts.
The proposed development of Chevy
Chase Circle, Mr.. Moore said, with
pool and central jet of water Spouting
high into the air in the midst of land
scaping, would make a wonderful en-
trance to the District OF Columbia"
The boundary line between Maryland
and the District of Columbia cuts
through the circle. The legislation is
being urged as Bicenteunial measure,
to beauttfy this important entrance to
the National Capital for the many
visitors expected during the Bicenten-
nial year.
Island Fountains Possible.
Possibility of two more fountains at
an important location on Columbia
Island near the south end of the Ar
lington Memorial Bridge has 1oomed,
Mr.. Moore explained The suggestion
has been advanced that instead Of the
two tall columns originally proposed for
this position, two fountains be used
instead.
Among the new fountains in prospect
for Washington In the near future, Mr.
Moore explained, vii be the straus
Memorial Fountain In memory of Oscar
Straus former Secretary of Commerce.
This IS to be on the east side Of Four
teenth street in the Grand Plaza Of the
Federal triangle, facing the new De-
part1nent OF Commerce Building,
Another new fountain will be the large
one in the plaza between the Capitol
Building and Union Station, to be
placed on the line of North Capitol
street on top Of the new underground
garage now being constructed for the
Senate. This fountain will flow into a
large pool at the foot Of North Capitol
dome of the Capitol.
Other Sites In Prospect.
Another large display Of water, which
will be perhaps the most pretentious in
the District Of Columbia, is now under
way in Meridian Hill Park. Cascades
are to flow down the hillside, descend
ing from one pool to another.
Other fountains or sites in prospect
IN the future for the city, MIR. Moore
explained, will be in Union Square at
the foot Of Capitol Hill, another on the
cross axis Of the Mall, facing the new
Archives Building on the site of old
Center Market, and fountain and pool
development in the triangular park re-
Gently completed between the new De-
partment of Commerce and the Treas
ury Department, bounded by Pennsyl-
vania avenue, Fourteenth, Fifteenth
and E streets
But Chairman Moore thinks that
still more fountains are needed through
out the city, especially on account of
the Summer climate of Washington
This city has an adequate water sup
ply. flowing from the Potomac River,
and could well follow the ancient ex-
ample of the city of Rome In providing
frequent fountains throughout the city.
Compares Capital to Rome.
It was in Rome, Mr.. Moore explained,
that American officials were most favor.
ably impressed with the value of foun-
tains and with the lack of them in
Washington. In a trip to Rome made
in 1901, Mr.. Moore explained, I'VE
found that Rome in June was more at
tractive than Washington in the same
month and not so hot. The sky was
clear and in Rome as in Washington
one has to look out for noon, and the
heat. We found in Rome a sense of
beauty, dignity and grandeur due quite
largely to the amount Of water used in
the city. You don't 60 more than a
block in Rome without coming to a
fountain"
Referring 10 q report Of the spark
COMMISSION" OF 19Ul appointed by ehe
Senate Committee on the District Of
Columbia Mr. Moore recalled this COM
mission said that during four and half
months Of the Summer here public
business is conducted at an undue ex-
penditure Of physical force"
Report Praised Eternal CITY.
"Of course, nothing can be done to
change weather conditions" said the
] report, "but very much can be accom-
plished 10 mitigate the physical strain
caused BY Summer heat etngularly
anonGh. VI Il the pEaa1t- tina tns