Evening star., 1938-06-16
SENATE |ND0RSES
JEFFERSON SHRINE
PLANS AND SITE
Turns Down Amendment to
Give Arts Body Veto
Power on Memorial.
GLASS CHALLENGES
TIDAL BASIN FOES
Contends DR.. Moore Approved Of
Arrangement-Green Argues
for Virginia Plot.

Despite the controversy over plans
for the Thomas jefferson Memorial at
the site near the Tidal Basin, the SEN
ate refused yesterday to require Fine
Arts Commission approval of the de-
sign and site, when it passed without
change the $500, 900 House item in the
last deficiency bill to start the project.
Although congressional action on the
deficiency bill will not be complete un-
til both houses have adopted aeon
ference report. the memorial item Is
not subject to further action by the
conferees, having passed the Senate
without amendment.
Senator Green, Democrat, of Rhode
Island offered the amendment to re-
quire approval Of the plans by the Fine
Arts Commission, and was supported
by Senator King, Democrat, OF Utah.
In opposing the amendment, Senators
Glass, Democrat. of Virginia, and
Thomas, Democrat, Of Utah, defended
the plans as they stand.
Denies Move Would Kill Plan.
1T would not prevent the erection
OF a suitable memorial, and it would
not affect the amount to be made
available for construction" said Sen
ator Green, explaining his modification.
The amendment merely provides that
the site and design shall be first ap-
proved by the Commission of Fine
Arts.
1T Is extraordinary that there is not
more OF universal demand for a suit
able memorial to Thomas jefferson. It
disgrace to this Nation, in nv
opinion, that for $50 years no appro-
pirate memorial has been erected to
hlm in the Capital City. But it would
oe very unfortunate if, after waiting
l50 years, design or site were an
proved and work on the memorial be-
gun when there is such widespread dis
satisfaction with the design or selected
site.
The statement is made that this
design and site have been approved
Dy the Commission Of Fine Arts, II
tnat IS the case the adoption of the
amendment would have no effect
whatever. If, however. that is NOT
the case. it seems to me that that is
the very purpose for which the Conn
mission Of Fine Arts was created.
The language Of the act creating the
commission does not make it obliga-
tory to follow its advice, but it does
make 1t obligatory to ask for its
advice.
Makes Decision Mandatory.
"The amendment provides that the
advice shall be taken, and it seems
to me that in the matter of a great
memorial such as this it might be
proper to make it necessary to take
the advice of the Commission of Fine
Arts"
Senator Green then pointed out that
one alternative site has been sue-
gested on the opposite shore of the
Potomac. in line with the Capitol,
washington Monument and Lincoln
Memorial. That site, the Rhode
Island Senator said, would be in JET
ferson's own State of Virginia, and
from 1t "a statue Of him would look
down upon the Capital City, the SYM
Dol OF the Nation he helped to create.
and a design might be chosen which
would signify, not monument to a
dead statesman, but memorial to a
great living spirit"
King Sites Dissatisfaction.
Senator King. after pointing out
that he is member of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion, declared:
i know that the Park and Planning
Commission very much disapproveo
the mausoleum style which has been
adopted by the Jefferson Memorial
Commission. 1t likewise was not salts
fled with the site chosen. Since then
there has been some modification in
the site. In my opinion, the site is
not suitable"
After explaining that the origina,
plans have been modified, Senatoi
King declared DR.. Charles Moore.
former chairman Of the Fine Art
Commission, disapproved of the design.
Senator King also declared that Gil
more D. Clarke, who succeeded DR..
Moore as chairman Of that commits
sion, has written several letters ir
opposition to the present form of the
memorial" The Senator added that he
believed "the views of DR.. Moore and
the views of the present head of the
Fine Arts Commission are sound"
Challenging the contention that DR.,
Moore was opposed to the memorial as
planned, Senator Glass said the record
shows he was in favor "of both the site
and of the plan" Senator Glass argued
that the new chairman "and some new
members Of the committee are under
taking to reverse this action" The
Virginian also told the Senate an al
Tentative proposal Of the new commits
sion chairman would cost $4,000. 900.
while the design and site agreed upon
will cost $3,000,0o0.
Senator Glass deplored the lapse of
$50 years without memorial in the
Capital ito the man who wrote the
Declaration Of independence, the very
foundation Of our national existence"
Sees Form as Only Difference,
Senator Thomas, one Of the Senate
members Of the Jefferson Memorial
Commission, in supporting Senator
Glass, declared that while difference
Of opinion has been expressed in the
commission both as to the site and as
to the monument. he contended the
only difference which stands today "is
about the form of the monument"
Senator Thomas told the Senate the
Fine Arts Commission is favorable to
the present site.
Senator Thomas also argued that the
plan adopted is in harmony with .
type Of design, copied from the Roman
Pantheon, that was used by Jefferson
In his home and ut the University Of
Virginia.
Senator Green's amendment was rs-
jected On . voice vote.