Evening star., 1937-04-22
MEMORIAL CRITICS.
TOLD PLANS HELP
BLOSSOMS BEAUTY
Boylan Sends Letter to D. A.
R. Saying Temple Won't
Mar Effect.
CRITICISM NOT JUST,
LEGISLATOR CLAIMS
Library Committee Today Con.
siders Antelope Plan
Measure.

After answering critics OF the
Thomas Jefferson Memorial plan in
the House yesterday, Chairman Boylan
OF the Memorial Commission sent a
letter to the president general of the
D. A. r. today expressing the view that
the D. A. r. convention condemned
the project without first obtaining
complete information on the subject.
Representative Boylan inclosed in
his letter a copy of his speech yester-
day in order that the ID. A. r. may be
properly informed on the subject"
Boylan announced further that after
an informal conference with other
members Of the commission it was de-
cided the commission would not send
a representative to appear before the
Library Committee tomorrow when it
takes up bill by Representative
Wearin Of Iowa to require a Nation
wide competition on architectural de-
sign before the memorial is started.
The attitude Of Chairman Boylan
and other members of the commission
Is that they have performed the work
assigned them by Congress and their
decision stands.
Report Is Expected.
Meanwhile, Arno B. Cammerer, d.
rector Of the National Park Service,
and executive oficer Of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion, was to report to the commission
tomorrow on the status Of plans for
the memorial. 1t was not expected
that the commission will take addi-
tional action on the subject at that
time.
Assurance that the proposed me-
mortal would increase rather than
mar the beauty Of the cherry blossoms
around the Tidal Basin was given in
the House yesterday by Boylan.
While John Russell Pope, architect
OF the proposed memorial, sat in the
gallery, Boylan answered critics of
the commissions plan and asserted
that the landscaping around the me-
mortal would provide for thousands Of
additional cherry trees.
Boylan declared the cherry trees
around the Tidal Basin will be trans
planted and not destroyed when con-
struction work begins. He said fur
ther that alteration Of the Tidal Basin
to make . rejecting pool would pro-
vide = better setting for the cherry
blossom display.
Has mo Apologies"
In his Commute speech, Boylan said
he had no apologies to offer for con-
scientiously endeavoring" to perform q
job given him by Congress, and q job
on which he had the best possible
advice"
Boylan called attention to the fact
that President Roosevelt had approved
the plan and had asked for a $500, 900
appropriation to start work ON the
$4,000 900 project.
Boylan's speech in part was . reply
to Representative Wearin.
The New Yorker pointed out that
the commission which he heads was
unanimous in selection of the site, the
| architect and the design for the me-
| mortal.
Jefferson Heirs Approve.
He said that two lineal descendants
OF Jefferson were members of the
commission and that another member,
Fiske Kimball, "is recognized Is the
leading interpreter of Jefferson's ideals
Of architecture in America"
Boylan quoted from the report Of the
Lincoln Memorial Commission of IS
years ago to justify the selection Of
Pope as architect of the proposed
memorial.
Boylan said at that time the Lincoln
Memorial Commission recognized the
talents Of Pope and invited him to
make alternative designs for the me-
mortal on proposed sites in the Soldiers
Home grounds and Meridian Park.
With regard to placing the Jefferson
memorial on = site built up in the
Tidal Basin, Boylan said every safe
guard will be taken to provide conduits
for flushing the pool and the Washing
ton channel to the satisfaction Of War
Hos,A rfynapt ep0{paArs