Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-02
Tribute Paid
10 'Enfant
.ByPresident
Organizations Mark
200th Anniversary Of
p. G. Planners Birth
BY lohn v. Homer

BY John v. Hcrner
Patriotic and civic organiza-
tions Joined today in a tribute
to Mai. Pierre Charles L'Enfant,
planner of the National Capital,
on the 200th anniversary of his
birth.
In ceremonies conducted at
his grave in Arlington Cemetery.
Mai. L'Enfant was praised for
his work by President Eisen-
hover, French Ambassador Henri
Bonnet and Samuel Spencer,
president Of the Districts Board
of Commissioners.
The II organizations repre-
sented at the exercises in front
of Lee Mansion placed wreatns
beside the tomb Of the architect
and planner.
Cites Beauty Of d. C.
President Eisenhower said in q
letter read by George r. Linkins,
vice president of the Columbia
Historical Society. which spon-
sored the ceremony, that this
was q highly appropriate obser-
vance.
Thanks in q large measure
to his vision and skill. wrote
the President, "our Nations
Capital is today one of the most
beautiful cities In the world.
All Americans have cause for
pride and pleasure in the SYM
metrical beauty of their Capitol
City and those who reside here
have especially good reason for
paying tribute to this early city
planner from whose talents we
benefit toady.'
A message from Ambassador
Bonnet, read by Jacques Martin.
embassy secretary, paid tribute
to Mai. LEnfant's ideals Of
liberty. his ardor in the Ameri-
can cause and his passionate
faith in his adopted country.
as well as his contribution In
laying out the City OF WASH
ington.
Commissioner Spencer gave q
biographical sketch of Maj.
L'Enfantfi, telling how he and
President George Washington
overcame many obstacles in
drafting the master plan for the
city and putting it into effect
at low cost to the taxpayers. He
recalled that the major rode
horseback all over the area to
study the topography before de-
Gliding the location of such struc-
lures as the Capitol and the
Washington Monument.
Notes Error on Tombstone.
During the exercises Mr.. Lin
kins called attention to an error
on the L'Enfant tombstone. The
epitaph states that Maj. Len
FAINT was born In Paris on Au-
gust 2. 1855. Mr.. Linkins said q
careful check of all records
proves this date to be wrong. He
explained a mistake was made
when the body Of Mai. L'Enfant
was moved from its original
burial place In Prince Georges
County to Arlington in 1909.
The celebration today, there
fore, accurately marked the biz
centennial of his birth on Au-
gust 2, 1854.
The invocation for the cere-
mony was given by Maj. George
E. Gaiser. Army chaplain, and
the benediction was pronounced
by Msgr. Edward p. McAdams.
Taps were sounded by Corpl.
Michael Ornate of Scotch Plains,
N. j.. a member of Co. A., Sd
Infantry Regiment.
Partic ipating organizations
were the Columbian Historical
Society, the American Institute
of Architects and its Washing
ton chapter, the Building Owners
and Managers Association, the
Fine, Arts Commission, the Dis
trict Bar Association, the Wash-
ington Bar Association, the Dis
trict Chamber Of Commerce, the
Sertoma Club.
Also, the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations, the Fedora.
ton Of Civic Associations, the
National Historic Publications
Commission, the Society of the
Cincinnati, the Thornton So
ciety, the Board Of Trade, the
Washington Real Estate Board,
the Real Estate Brokers' Asso-
citation and the National Capital
Planning Commission.