Evening star., 1948-01-12
Letters to The Star
Sees Fine Arts Commission Flouted

Sees Fine Arts Commission Flouted
To the Editor Of The Star: ,..,.5s<-
May I be permitted the use Of your columns
to relate the White House Balcony controversy
to the general question of the part played by
the National Commission Of Fine Arts in the
building Of the National Capital?
The commission had its beginnings in an
Executive Order by President Theodore Roose-
welt issued in 1909, an order revoked by his
successor, President Taft, who felt that such
An undertaking should have its foundations In
legislative authority. This authority was estab-
lished by Act OF Congress approved May II,
1910. 1t was broadened by successive Executive
Orders and directives issued by Presidents Taft,
Wilson and Harding and by supplementary
legislation, the Shipstead Act extending the
jurisdiction of the commission to private hold
ngs fronting various public buildings and parks.
is duties were summarized by the late Charles
Moore, chairman-militant of the commission,
as advising upon ''all questions involving mat
tiers of art with which the Federal Govern
ment is concerned" In the District of Columbia
- = from medals, insignia, and coins, statues,
fountains and monuments; to public buildings
and public grounds under Executive admins
tration; and finally to related private under
takinss.
The Recommendation Of the Commission Of
Fine Arts are not mandatory, but they carry
= great weight Of qualified opinion In the
field Of the arts. Service on the commission
carries no remuneration other than the great
honor and distinction Of being selected to serve
as q guardian of the public interest in the de-
yelopment OF the Federal City. The great
architects, scu]ptors and painters Of the past
four decades have been glad to give their
services to the cause This service has not
been in the form of arbitrary approvals or
disapprovals but constructive and helpful
criticisms and suggestions to make the most
ofseach opportunity. There have been con-
troversies and disagreements, 1t 1t true: but
one cannot overlook such major achievements
as getting the railroads out of the heart of the
city, redeeming the Mall saving the foreground
of Arlington from the scheduled. Pentason
development and establishing high standards
in every field OF the arts. Nor can one over
look the vision and wisdom Of those Execu-
tives who have shown their appreciation Of
the commissions service by broadening Its
scope and establishing tradition Of conform
ance with its recommendations.
With this background, one may consider the
question of the balcony. It may be granted
that the distinguished architect who was called
in for consultation after the project was under
way has never done anything in his life which
was not good architecture; 1t may be acknow-
lodged that the present awnings OF the portico
are inexcusably ugly; 1t may well be that
balcony is pleasant place on which to sit;
there may be ample precedent for such a
treatment in the buildings Of Charlottesville
or Charleston; the whole thing may be much
ado about nothing.
On the other hand, we must take cognizance
of the fact that the outstanding representa-
tiyes of the allied arts, who have been picked
to advise us In such matters, are unanimous
in their disapproyal; that the obnoxious exist
ing awnings can be redesigned at fraction OF
the balcony cost; that the precedent for this
historic structure is nearer Dublin than
Charleston: that the White House is much
sought after place as 1t stands, even lacking
balcony; that the affair Is of great conse-
uuence because q matter Of principle Is at
stake -. the propriety of an executive agency
proceeding with such a project, particularly
non-essential project involving one OF our
most highly regarded historic monuments ana
the current Chief Executive, IN complete dlsre-
gard for the unanimous adverse opinion OF the
agency established by preceding Executives
to protect such monuments, regardless OF pro
forma compliance with the letter OF the law
regarding submission" OF plans.
It may be saidSthat this Is something Tor the
EXECUTIVE to decide, that It i not the business