Evening star., 1932-09-04
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.

DI WILL r. AENNEDt.
Architecture Is fine art, not trade
or business. This On the authority of
Horace w. Peaslee. secretary of the Al
lied Architects of Washington, D. c.,
Inc. who have their headquarters in
the shadow Of the White House, are
actively interested In the entire program
for Identification and establishment of
the National Capital, advisory to the
Commission of Fine Arts and co-operat-
ing with the architect of the Capitol in
development of the entire area about
the Capitol.
Discussing the stupendous building
program now going forward in Wash
ington, which has called forth the best
architectural talent of the Nation, Mr..
Peaslee, whose allied group is respon-
sible for the beautiful new House Of
flee Building, complained that quite
aside from this special case. and speak
ing in generalities. it is odd that a Gus
tom seems to have developed in recent
years of not regarding architecture as
one Of the fine arts, and not crediting
the architect as an artist. He admits
that in large measure mediocre build
ingS are the cause of this attitude. but,
he emphasized, the creators of even out
standing structures are usually ignored.
This seems the more strange, he ar
CUES, when no painting or piece of
sculpture is ever illustrated without
having the name Of the painter or
sculptor associated with it. One does
this, as matter Of course, to give the
picture or statue some connection. The
trained architect, he insists, does not
work by the rule OF thumb in the pro-
duction Of his work, and while most of
his work Is based upon practical re-
quirements, 1t not infrequently evidences
the inspiration of an artist.
If Washingtonians and sightseers in
their National Capital would view the
great public buildings with this in mind
they probably would discover new beau
ties and impressiveness that their un-
studied glances now overlook There
should be a little of the artists soul
in all Of US to appreciate the beauties
OF life all around us daily.
Just back from his eighteenth trans
atlantic voyage, George r. Farnum for
mer Assistant Attorney General of the
United States, now consular represent
ative of Turkey in this country and a
prominent Boston lawyer, has been giv-
ing leaders of public thought his reac-
tions on economic and social conditions
throughout the world as he has found
them, and delighting many friends here
with his inimitable descriptions OF
scenes on the annual pilgrimage OF
Mrs. Farnum and himself to far lands
and strange countries.
Each recent year, he says, the Orient
draws them with an irresistible attrac-
ton, by its picturesque charm and un-
dispelled atmosphere of age and mys-
terry. This time they journeyed by the
sacred waters of the Nile, rode out
on camels in the moonlight. journeyet
over the hills Of Galilee to Nazareth
Canaan and the Lake of Tiberius and
saw the sunset over that land from
which life's most precious inspiration:
have come-a land Of simple people anc
wandering Bedouins and where tht
women still go to the wells in ancient
costumes with the classic jugs on thell
heads-and finally to Stamboul
Returning by Greece, the Farnum.
were again afforded a glimpse OF 1t:
marvels, end stood once more amid the
glorious white ruins of the Acropolis.
For 10 months year Mr.. Farnun
| labors with concentrated application
| to the plain tasks at hand. The balance
| of the year he becomes an irresponsible
but glorious nomad. "Ah me-" he ex-
claims. life is 50 wonderful and slim
ulating if we would not mar 1t so, witt
our cramped and unlovely manner ol
| existence, our indurated souls brayet
| in the mortar of selfish, Materials
tic and competitive civilization"
They had an excellent opportunity
| to compare general conditions abroad
| with those Of previous years. "Yol
can't escape the unmistakable fact,
says Mr. Farnum. that they have not
on the whole, improved since last year
| The fundamental causes OF disorganl,
zation have not been removed. The oic
international grievances still rankle
The universal distrust Of neighbors per.
! sists In all its pernicious vitality. There
| is no bright star of hope arising or
the Eastern horizon of mems vision tt
| support a hope for better things anc
| a faith In the future Of civilization.
There is q subtle but unmistakabls
disbursement settling down heavily or
the minds and hearts of men and
state Of disordered nerves becoming more
and more apparent to the man who looks
f, beyond the optimistic and studied Ut
terances of politicians and below the
superficial strata of surface indications
1.-THE death of BRAND was. I think
great loss to the movement towarc
better understanding and more stable
conditions. He had. believe, attained
a height from which he could survey
life and appraise the teachings Of his
tory with a disinterested understanding
and a sympathetic appreciation OF the
necessity of respecting the points ol
view of all peoples and the importance
Of reaching some common ground where
these differences might be reconcilet
in a manner consistent with theiI
rights, dignity and feelings"