Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-09-11
Freedom Shrine MIDDLE

An intensive inquiry by The Star
INTO conflicting reports of official action
on the So-called Freedom Wall" nro-
posed Tor Arlington has disclosed an
astonishing amount of misunderstood
ing and confusion over the project. In
view OF the mixed-up situation, it is
fortunate that Congress decided to put
over until the next session pending leg
lSiation on the 23,9O0,OOO privately
nnanced monument. Meanwhile. the
Misunderstanding as to the attitude of
the FINE Arts Commission and the Ma
tional Capital Planning Commission to-
ward the design shown to congressional
committees ought to be cleared I'M
promptly.
Inc Stars inquiry was prompted by
Colorado Senator Allotts challenge of
the accuracy of an editorial which urged
second look" at the proposed 9O-foot-
nlgn walled enclosure planned for the
government owned Nevius tract, adj
Joining Arlington Cemetery and the
Marine Memorial Senator Allott denied
That Congress had been miSinformed as
to the actions taken by the NCPC and
the FAC on the design submitted by
Eric Gugler, noted architect of New
York, and approved by the National
monument Commission. He reiterated
that both the NCPC and FAC had ap-
proved the design chosen by the Monu-
ment Commission, of which he is a
member.
However, The Star, as a result of
thorough investigation, is satisfied that
Congress 1U0s misinformed, apparently
as a result Of misunderstanding on
the part OF Monument Commission off,
Gals as to the respective stands of the
arts and planning agencies. The fact is
neither the Fine Arts Commission nor
the National Capital Planning Commits
sion has formally approved the partic-
ular design exhibited by Mr. Gugler and
Harry Thompson, associate superintend-
ent OF National Capital Parks and Sec
rotary OF the National Monument Com
mission. Both agencies, The Star has
learned, intended only to indorse the
general concept" of the plan.
All members of the Fine Arts Com
mission agree that only the general
plan for walled enclosure symbolic of
American freedoms was approved. Sew
eral of them said that criticisms were
voiced of some features of the design.
especially broad flight of steps at the
'front.'. Some objections were raised to
the height of the structure In the end,
Mr.. Gugler was asked to revise his de-
sign and come back later for inspection
and possible approval of the modified
drawings. So far the revised design
has not been submitted.
Senator Allott read to the Senate a
resolution adopted by the NCPC last
April The resolution approved "the
concepts, design and location" of the
monument. Previously, however, Chair
man Harland Bartholomew had told Mr..
Thompson and commission members:
II understand this is more OF less in the
preliminary suggestion or sketch stage,
and after further development it will
be brought to the commission for APP
proval of the appropriateness Of the
general design" No final design has
been submitted as yet.
Further confusion has resulted from
testimony given by Architect Gugler
before the Public Lands Subcommittee
Of the Senate Interior Committee. The
transcript shows that Mr.. Gugler, in dis
Sussing the height of the wall" (his
own term for the structure), said:
Il would also like to say that in the
1, Fine Arts Commission I suggested that
possibly the wall might be reduced to 80
I feet and told them the difficulties and
1 embarrassments Of the designer in that
case. For instance, on one wall there is
an equestrian figure which represents the
end of France in America. which is Mont
calm on a horse, falling of 1t when he
a was wounded and being caught by one Of
his soldiers, which represents the end Of
French power in America. Such an eques-
tran has a certain size. If it is less than
that size It has the danger. Of seeming
1 ridiculous or puny. Therefore, l said
about the wall that 1t ought to be 80 feet.
In the Arts Commission their feeling was
that they might even have liked it better
If it were higher. Instead of permitting
me to reduce it. they said: My goodness,
don't reduce it,"
When Mr. Gugler was told by The
Star that none of the six members Of
the Fine Arts Commission available for
interviewing could recall this statement
and that the feeling, on the contrary,
was that the height should be reduced,
Mr.. Gugler said he would like to with
draw" the statement. ut was made" he
said, ION the side by one of the archi-
tects 1t wasn't official in any way"
Against this muddled background
the. need for clarificatipn of the present
poAtions of the Fine Srts Commission