Evening star., 1938-05-01
Architect Is Directed to
Make Exhaustive Study
of Entire Area.
REPORT IS EXPECTED
AT Meeting MAY 26
Commission Cites Maj. L'Enfant's
Desire Growth of Capital Be
Balanced Properly.

Because of the increased interest
IN the subject. the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, look
ing ahead many years, now is inten-
sively restudying its plans for the
whole eastern section of the city, so
that a proper balance in the growth
of Washington may be obtained and
the original design of Maj. Pierre
Charles L'Enfant, who laid out the
Capital, may be fulfilled.
John Nolen, jr., the commissions
director Of planning, pointed out yes
terday the Capitol was constructed
facing east. anticipating that the
growth Of the city would be in that
direction. as the founding fathers ex-
pected. Instead, for a variety of rea-
sons. the city developed most rapidly
in the northwest, so that today, in
the opinion of the planners. there is
a "lopsided" development of the Ma
tional Capital. j. c. Nichols of Kan
sas City. Mo. real estate member of
the commission. has long advocated
corrective measures to remedy this
trend.
Study Will Be Made.
To correct this situation and ulti-
mately obtain harmonious whole, the
commission has directed it's consulting
architect, William T. Partridge, to
make an exhaustive study of the
whole eastern development. particu-
larly along East Capitol street, from
the Capitol to the Anacostia River.
Report of this study. the result of
continuous thought for the last 10
years, together with photographs il
Illustrative Of plans and conditions,
particularly in the eastern section. at
different stages, is expected to be
placed before the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission at its
next meeting May 26.
In the last two or three decades, the
city has grown increasingly toward
the northwest. Latter day improve
ments in the Triangle, the Mall and
elsewhere have been all west of the
Capitol. These, together with COM
mitments already made and plans
projected for the northwest rectangle
and the southwest triangle for public
buildings, make it desirable, in the
opinion of the Planning Commission.
to place further public structures in
the easterly portion of the city.
Increase Revenues.
The time has come. in the judg-
ment of the planners, to direct public
attention and that of Congress, the
District Commissioners and the citi-
zens generally. to the opportunities
existent east of the Capitol. There
territory might we'll be opened to pub
lie and semi-public buildings that
would prevent further undue conges-
ton in the central business district,
bring in increased taxes for the Dis
trict from new homes that would
follow Government iniative and over
come the generally lopsided and un-
economical character of the trend of
present development, Mr.. Nolen be-
lieves.
Under L'Enfant's plan, Washing
tons City Hall was to have been
erected where Garfield Park is today
Mr.. Nolen in preliminary state
ment outlining the steps that have
led up to the present study, said the
planning commission in 1929 made
study for East Capitol street, under
which the Avenue of the States would
come into being This contemplated
the construction by each of the 4s
States of its own headquarters along
that thoroughfare, in which would be
exhibited manufactured and agri-
cultural products of the State.
Further. the commission then con.
templated that the congestion in
Statuary Hall in the Capitol would
be relieved by placing statues of the
various States heroes in front of or
inside the buildings.
Independence Square.
The 1929 study envisioned Inde-
pendence Square where Lincoln
Square now stands with a great plaza
at the end of East Capitol street
fronting on the Anacostia River. over
which new bridge would be con-
structed. This program provided for
a stadium there.
In 1880, a competition was held
under the auspices of the Beaux Arts
Institute for Independence Square
and several striking plans were
evolved. In 1888. contribution was
made to the program by the Allied
Architects of Washington through
drawings for the development o1
East Capitol street and North and
South Capitol streets.
Washington has no West Capitol
street, the Mall taking the place OF
this. Mr.. Nolen pointed out that
Thomas Jefferson, in his plan of 1791
which preceded the plan of L'Enfant
projected the Presidents House near
the place where the Naval Hospital
now stands and the Capitol near
where the business district Of the
CITY Is located.
In 1851 President Fillmore adopted
the Downing plan, which replaced the
L'Enfant plan by winding drives anc
disregarded the visual relationship
between the Capitol and the Wash
ington' Monument.
The plan of 1901, under the Nc
MILAN Commission, resurrected Len.
fant's conception of the Mall ano
later this modernized plan was dis
organized by the construction of tenn.
porary World War buildings on tht
Mall. which remained for 20 years.
1901 Plan Realized.
Finally, there came the realization
Of the 1901 Mall plan, modified in Ger.
tain particulars by the National Cap