Evening star., 1933-04-16

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the war chaplains Is placed in the
cemetery. These by their very nature
are important and some of the designs
are excellent, but their location should
be commensurate with their historic
interest. At present these graves oi
particularly distinguished people are
located hurriedly. A death occurs
which requires a burial in Arlington
The person is Of great prominence. The
decision as to the location of the grave
and that means the eventual location
Of an important monument-must be
made within a few days. Consequently
| we have another monument placed iu
the cemetery without time for delibera-
ton as to its propriety or its ultimate
erect upon the cemetery as q whole
There are many such examples in Ar
lington which stand as irreparable mis-
takes and which are the results of such
short-sighted policy-or lack OF policy
Objectionable Stones.
Efforts should be made to remove
some OF the more Objectionable monu-
ments from such important places as
the vicinity of the Arlington Mansion
and the prominent slopes facing Wash
ington. When the amphitheater was
built it was intended to serve as the
resting place for our more distinguished
dead. Elaborate crypts were provided
for this purpose. Not one Of these
crypts has yet been used. 1t is prob
able that the distinction Of a place in
these crypts will do something to free
which deface it the NEST.
Reports to the National Commission
OF Fine Arts, dating back to 1921, make
a fN1l yfyHcp &c. - A1aA
newer parts OF. the cemetery are bare
of trees and the visitor sees large areas
where the rows of headstones are un-
broken by single tree. Some Of these
slopes are visible from Washington,
and they should be reforested so that
they will in years to come have the
attractiveness of the older portions of
the cemetery. The Spanish War sec
tions have very few trees and the World
War soldiers have been buried in open
fields. These sections have not the
distinction of the older sections.
Formerly the tree-shaded sections pre-
dominated and these places are the
most attractive parts Of Arlington. It
IS necessary to plant trees to perpetuate
the distinction Of the National Gene
terry. This means the immediate Sc
lection and planting Of thousands Of
lington. Today these treeless portions
Of Arlington, SO out Of harmony with
the general appearance Of the ceme-
terry, give one the idea that the graves
OF our latest heroes are being placed
rather in Potter's field than In an hon
ored location"
Tree Planting Suggested.
Extensive planting of trees, prefer
ably oaks, should begin at once, SO that
quarter of century hence the en-
tire cemetery may come into the fine
condition that the best portions now
display. This planting should be sim
pie, of durable trees. noble in habit Of
growth and Of deciduous varieties. The
fundamental idea Is to produce in time
an effect Of scattered shade over grass
land. Here a tendency to concentra-
ton Of trees and resulting shade, there
q tightening into grassy, sun-Et OPEN
ings, with more scattering Of individ-
ual specimen trees. A full share Of
done between the graves. This is es-
sential to success. In fact. it might
be well If the planter could for the
time forget that the graves existed and
keep in mind solely the effect of vary
ing masses of light and shade over
landscape"
A comprehensive study and an ade-
quate plan of the cemetery and of ad-
ditional land to be incorporated in it
should be prepared at once. This plan
should be the result of careful study
by enthusiastic and competent experts.
1t should be as comprehensive as the
Washington plan of 1901, the plan
which has been so largely responsible
for the great Capital composition to-
day. The plan with its conclusions,
when adopted. should be given an
authority which will insure that its
recommendation will be enforced. It
should predict and design the future
growth Of the cemetery, fix the probable
limits, indicate proper enclosures and
locate suitable entrances. The roads
should be carefully plotted, taking into
consideration the circulation of visitors
now and for years to come.
The grave areas of enlisted men and
officers should be planned for the fu-
ture, with full recognition of the nat
ural beauty of the grounds. Special
locations should be indicated, and per-
haps particular areas for more distin-
guished burials. These should all be
laid down far in advance; they should
all become integral parts Of one har-
montouS scheme. It Is imperative that
steps be taken at once to prevent the
further setting of any headstones
other than the uniform ones supplied
by the Government. Each special
monument would fill place in a plan,
and it's installation would add to the
general effect Of order rather than
detract.
When we have a plan conceived in a
far-sighted and logical manner and
laid down with a realization that 1t
hold within its grasp the future of
Americas National Cemetery, then will
we have living thing which will for
years to come direct Arlington in the
way of order and beauty.