Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-11-10
CALL CONFERENCE
ON MALL PROGRAM
Fine Arts Commission and
Park Board to Weigh
Two Plans.

Adequate development Of the area
surrounding the Washington Monument
"a problem that has perplexed land
scape architects and engineers for more
than quarter Of century-will be
discussed at length on November 18 at
joint meeting of the Fine Arts Com
mission and the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission
Pending before the Planning Com
mission are two programs for the
Washington Monument gardens One
is sponsored by William A. Delano New
York architect, a member of the Plan
ming Commission, who prefers the So
called formal treatment, with trees
planted In .geometric designs and with
baluStrade around the area west of
the Monument. The other plan is that
Of the landscape architect, Henry v.
Hubbard, Harvard University professor
and newest member of the Planning
Commission, and the recently resigned
member OF that commission, Frederick
Law Olmsted, of Brookline, Mass.
Mr.. Olmsted is the only surviving
member associated with the commission
OF 1901 which drew up an elaborate
program for development of the Mall.
In the less formal treatment favored
by the landscape architests, the trees
would not be planted in mathematical
regularity.
H. P. Caemmerer, executive secretary
OF the Fine Arts Commission, said to-
day his group inclines to the view that
the plan OF 1901 design for the Washing
ton Monument gardens is one of the great
features OF the Washington scheme and
hoc
mended
Mr.. Caemmerer recalled that the
Mall Is being developed eastward of
Fourteenth street and that the expanse
between the Washington Monument
and the Lincoln Memorial has been
perfected by construction of the re-
f1ecting pool Hence, he said, it is nee
essary to build something in keeping
with the grandeur of the other devel-
opments, when the base of the Wash
ington Monument is improved. The
plan of 1901 contemplates a garden
treatment with terraces, it was ex-
planned
Engineers have determined, through
boring into the earth surrounding the
Monument, that it is unwise to take
away any great amount of earth from
near the base or to add to the weight,
as this would endanger the stability Of
the shaft. Contrary to popular opinion,
the Washington Monument does not
rest upon solid rock, but is constructed
upon a great bed of blue clay and
gravel, on an eminence rising above
the erstwhile marshland.
The planning commissions executive
officer and vice chairman, Lieut.. Col.
U. S. Grant, Sd, some time ago ap-
pointed a special Advisory Committee
to suggest what form the Washington
development should take. Serving on
this special committee, of which Col
Grant was chairman were Mr.. Delano,
Mr.. Olmstead, James Vipond Davies
and Lazarus White, prominent New
York engineers, who are specialists on
foundations, and Maj. D. H. Gillette.
U. S. A., and John L. Nagle, design
ing engineer.
The Fine Arts Commission will give
special study to the proposed Fort Reno
High School, to be constructed at Ne
braska avenue Fort drive and Chesa-
peake street. Plans will be submitted
by Municipal Architect A. L. Harris.
The proposed development of Column
bia Island and integral of the Airing
ton Memorial Bridge project, will be
considered by the commission. While
funds are lacking during the current
fiscal year for this expansion, the COM
mission desires to have proper plans
ready for the next step in the develop
ment. The airmal flyers medal Of
honor, designed by Walker Hancock,
New York artist. will likewise be con-
Sidered ,,.