Evening star., 1933-12-16
GIFTED MEN HELD
ARCHITECTS POST
Anniversary of David Lynn's
Induction Into Office Re-
calls Predecessors.
Continued From First Page.)

dences. Coming to Washington, he was
granted the title of surveyor of the pub
lie buildings and a salary of 81 700 a
year. His first task was the erection OF
the south wing of the Capitol. to con-
tain the Hall of Representatives, as it
originally was called The north wing,
sponsored by Thornton. already was
complete and housed the Senate
chamber.
A controversy between the two artists
developed almost Immediately, and these
differences brought into existence a
whole series of difficulties, including a
clash OF opinion with Jefferson him.
self. But by the close of the philoso-
pher- Presidents second term the House
end had been brought to a worthy
completion" Meanwhile, Latrobe had
executed the colonnaded terraces Of
the White House and prepared plans
for the remodeling of the Executive
Mansion. He also had been active in
constructing the washington City Canal
In planning various structures for the
Navy Department and in remodeling
the Patent Office
A tireleSs laborer. Latrobe never was
free from commissions during the first
two decades of his American period.
He designed without charge the Roman
Catholic Cathedral at Baltimore, the
~
first Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
and other religious and educational
buildings He built the VAIN house.
the Markoe house and the Bank of
Philadelphia, and added the portico to
Dumbarton House. Georgetown. He
served as engineer of the Chesapeake &
Delaware Canal and was an adviser to
the municipalities CT Philadelphia and
New York.
Associated with Fulton.
In 1918 he Joined with Robert Fulton,
Robert R. Livingston and Nicholas j.
Roosevelt in an expensive scheme to
build a steamboat for the navigation OF
the Ohio River. Then he was sum-
moned bacS to Washington March IA,
1915. to restore the Capitol burned by
the British. The external walls re-
manned. but the intefior. which had
been destroyed. was now completely re-
modelled The stately semi-circular
Chambers of the House and Senate (now
Statuary Hall and the Supreme Court
room we're the fruit of Latrobe's
activity at this time Before the
central rotunda could be undertaken,
difficulties had arisen with the commits
sioner, Samuel Lane, which made
Latrobe's position insupportsble and he
resigned November 20. 1877
His private works in Washington in
cluded st. Johns Church. for which
he also wrote the dedicatory anthem.
the Van Ness House and the Decatur
House. It is said of him: "Latrobe
found architecture in America polite
accomplishment of gentleman amateurs,
he left it a profession
Bulfrch Succeeds Latrobe.
Third on the roster of Capitol build
ers was Charles Bulfinch 0763-1844),
a member of wealthy and cultivated
Boston family" who had graduated at
Harvard and studied in England and on
the continent. His special claim to
fame was the Massachusetts, State
House. on Beacon Hill, which Oliver
Wendell Holmes considered the hub OF
the universe" but he had done other
worthy work as we'll. Invited to WASH
ington by President Monroe, he took
over Latrobe's duties. Essentially ne
was called on to complete the wings
and construct the central part accord
ing to the lines already established by
the earlier architects. His principal
contribution was the detailed form OF
the western 'front.'" He. held the ap-
pointment until 1880, and on retire
ment left reputation for his "mildness
OF temper"
Thomas U. Walter QS04-188O was
the next holder of the Office. A native
Of Philadelphia. he was trained in ar
chitecture by William Strickland. ana
his first independent effort was a de-
sign for a penitentiary. His conception
of Girard College along classic lines
won him a large public in lo41, ana ne
was an obvious choice for the WORK
when a new construction campaign was
projected at the Capitol in 1851. He
planned the extensions which brought
the building to an approximation OF
its present size and designed the iron
dome which, crowns the mass. He also
was responsible for the original plan
for the State. War and Navy Bulldlng
and the completed Treasury Bu1ldng.
Retiring from Federal employment IN
1855. he spent the remainder OF ms NE
in nrivate professional work in the city
OF his birth.
Career of Edward Clark.
Walters successor. the fifth architect
of the Capitol, was Edward Clark 1S22.
1902. also a Philadelphia. He had
studied in Walters drafting room ana
been his assistant. and was assigned 70 !
complete the work his master had pc
gun and carried on. To him likewise,
it is said. was given the task of design
ing the Peace Monument He hao a
hand in the plans for the Library OF
Congress and other edifices, but he dld
not leave a particularly conspicuous
mark On the architectural character OF
the city.
When Clark died, after 81 years OF
service to the Government, EIllott
Woods G864-1923) became superintend-
ent of the United States Capitol Build
ing and grounds, and continued the de-
velopment of his charge until 1921,
when the proper title of architect of
the Capitol was revived by Congress as
a sign Of public appreciation. He was
born at Manchester, England, but OF
American parentage, and was educated
in Indiana. AS a boy he manifested
a particular talent for wood carving,
and when he came to washington in
1894 he soon demonstrated ability In
architecture which brought him en-
ployment in Clark's Office. Successfully
foreman and chief clerk. he earned his
way to the top through 38 years OF loyal
devotion to duty. He is credited Win
a major hand in the Senate and House
Office Buildings, the Court o. Appeals,
the Court of Claims. the Capitol power
plant. Arlington Amphitheater and the
Scottish Rite Cathedral. He also was
an active member of the District Zoning
Commission.
Carries on Tradition.
Mr.. Lynn was long an associate and
personal friend of Woods, and thus was
prepared to carry on his tradition.
Born in Wheeling, w. Va, he was edu-
Gated at Cumberland, Md, and settled
in Washington in 1900. His first execu-
tive position at the Capitol was that OF
civil engineer in the architects office.
to which post he was designated in
1910 He became his chiefs right
hand man" and was his natural sue
cessor
But the duties and opportunities Of
the position have grown enormously in
the past decade, and Mr.. Lynn's re-
sponsibilities have been exceptionally