CHAPTER ONE ✩ Report of the Commission of Fine Arts T HE Commission of Fine Arts respectfully submits its sixteenth report, covering activities during the period from July 1, 1948, to June 30, 1954. The Commission of Fine Arts was established by Act of Congress approved May 17, 1910. The members, who are appointed by the President for terms of 4 years each, and who serve until their successors are appointed and qualified, consisted throughout the period covered by this report of the following: Gilmore D. Clarke, landscape architect, of New York. Mr. Clarke served also as chairman until the expiration of his term of office, June 25, 1950; David E. Finley, museum director, vice chairman, of Washington, D.C. Mr. Finley was elected chairman on July 20, 1950; William T. Aldrich, architect, of Massa- L. Andrew Reinhard, architect, of New Maurice Sterne, painter, of New York; Lee Lawrie, sculptor, of Maryland; Joseph Hudnut, architect, of Massachusetts; Edward F. Neild, Sr., architect, of Louisi ana; Pietro Belluschi, architect, of Oregon; From time to time the question has arisen regarding recognition of the jurisdiction of the Commission of Fine Arts by other agencies in the Government with respect to fine arts mat ters with which the Federal Government is concerned. Chairman Clarke presented a memorandum on the subject, at a meeting held December 10, 1948, which read as follows: In reflecting back over more than 15 years, I cannot recall an instance in which we requested that legislation be drawn in a manner to insure that a specific problem be referred to the Commission. Usually the Congress have, of their own will, added a line in certain measures to the effect that the project "shall have the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts." Where such a statement has not been included in the enabling legislation the appropriate agents of the Government have, without exception, called upon us for advice and usually for subsequent approval of the project. During my memory while a member of the Commission no important new project or reconstruction has been carried out that has not been referred to us and, in the case of the White House, I am confident that Commissioner Reynolds will rely heavily upon the Commission for advice with respect to the reconstruction with or without a specific direction in an authorization bill to do so. In the past, on several occasions, I recall that the Director of the Budget sent certain proposed bills of interest to the Commission to us for comment and advice. Where the bill did not give the specific direction, it was usually amended that this be done before its enactment. The Commission of Fine Arts has an established reputation in the National Capital, and its work is known throughout the country, since its members have been drawn from leading art and professional organizations. The Act creating the Commission is so drawn that the appropriate officials of the Government have, through custom, come to us for advice; and the record of accomplishment over the years has been, in my modest judgment, satisfactory if not in a small measure notable. RETIREMENT OF DR. CAEMMERER At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on December 12, 1952, the Commission expressed appreciation to H. Paul Caemmerer, and presented to him a silver bowl in recognition of his long and distinguished service as secretary of the Commission over a period of 30 years. Dr. Caemmerer terminated his service as secretary on June 24, 1954, and Mr. Linton R. Wilson was appointed to succeed him, effective June 25, 1954. ARTICLE ON PIERRE CHARLES L'ENFANT IN THE INAUGURAL PROGRAM At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on February 11, 1949, Chairman Clarke called attention to an article entitled "Pierre Charles L'Enfant and the Plan of Washington," which had been written by the Secretary for the Official Inaugural Program of January 20, 1949. He expressed a desire to have copies of it for the members of the Commission. The Secretary stated that although the article was limited to two pages, it was comprehensive; and he further pointed out that the Commission of Fine Arts has been of noteworthy help in carrying out the L'Enfant Plan of Washington. A copy of the program was sent to each member of the Commission. GAVEL FROM THE GEORGE WASHINGTON ELM At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on January 6, 1950, Honorable David Lynn, Architect of the Capitol, presented to the Commission a gavel made from the wood of an elm tree said to have been planted by George Washington on the Capitol grounds. The tree stood in front of the Senate Chamber and had recently been removed. The Commission expressed appreciation for the gift. FTEENTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS The Commission, at a meeting held on March 16, 1949, expressed appreciation of the services rendered by the Secretary in connection with the publication of the fifteenth report of the Commission of Fine Arts, which covered the fiscal years 1944-48. Printing of the manuscript as House Document No. 727 was authorized by Resolution of the House of Representatives, June 10, 1948, and the report was released on this date. The Commission regarded the report an informative document, well-illustrated, and printed in good form. The Commission respectfully noted the action of the President in forwarding the report to the Congress for printing; also the action of the House of Representatives in adopting the Resolution authorizing its printing as House Document No. 727, thus making the report available to the public. CITATION TO HONOR CHAIRMAN CLARKE The Municipal Art Society of New York invited the members of the National Commission of Fine Arts to be their guests at the annual dinner of the Society at the Hotel Delmonico on the evening of May 25, 1949, during which Chairman Clarke was honored with a "Citation of Merit" for distinguished services rendered as a member of the Commission and as chairman; he was also cited in recognition of his outstanding services as a landscape architect and city planner. The President of the Society, Mr. Francis Keally, welcomed the group. He stated in his address that the Society was organized in 1892. For 57 years it has striven continuously to improve the aesthetic appearance of the city of New York; during the previous year, the Society had planted 3,000 trees in New York City. Mr. Keally advocated the Society's undertaking a movement that would lead to the adoption of a New York City Ordinance like the Shipstead-Luce Act of the National Capital, so that leading avenues and parks in New York City might be similarly protected. Vice Chairman Finley replied for the Commission of Fine Arts. He reviewed briefly the history of the Commission of Fine Arts since its establishment in 1910, and summarized its specific duties in relation to the city of Washington, to the Congress, and to the heads of the Departments. Also he gave eloquent tribute. to the valuable services rendered by Chairman Clarke, a member for the past 17 years. Mr. Finley said, in part: "During all the years Major Clarke has been with the Commission, he has been indefatigable in maintaining the high standards of public service which have obtained since the Commission was first founded. He brought to the Commission a wealth of experience in the profession of landscape architecture, in which he holds high rank by reason of his achievements in that field. His appointment by President Hoover in 1932 to the Commission of Fine Arts seemed to the profession and to the country eminently fitting in view of his distinguished work in laying out the beautiful parkways of Westchester County; also as consultant to the Park Department of the city of New York; and as consulting landscape architect of the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway in Virginia." Mr. Clarke's citation read as follows: Citation presented to Gilmore D. Clarke by the Municipal Art Society of New York on the evening of May 25, 1949 The Hotel Delmonico, New York City GILMORE D. CLARKE distinguished landscape architect and city planner, educator, and Academician, who as a member of the National Commission of Fine Arts from 1932 and as Chairman since 1937 has rendered notable public services; who, through his leadership has stimulated interest in the fine arts and attained outstanding achievement in the solution of problems of design pertaining to national and civic projects throughout the United States, and who, through his judgment, ideals and devoted counsel, has won the respect and esteem of fellow practitioners in the arts. Now, therefore, because of these outstanding achievements, the Officers and Board of Directors of the Municipal Art Society of New York have the honor to award to Gilmore David Clarke its citation of merit. At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on October 17, 1949, the Commission favorably noted an article, written by the Secretary, covering the activities of the Commission of Fine Arts during the past 40 years. It was decided that steps should be taken to print it with illustrations. The Commission authorized the Secretary to submit the article to the attention of the late Senator Robert A. Taft, whose father, President William Howard Taft, appointed the original members of the Commission of Fine Arts in 1910, with the recommendation that the arti cle be printed as a Senate Document and made available in 1950. A letter was written to Senator Taft accordingly. At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on February 20, 1950, the Secretary reported that on January 18, 1950, Senator Taft had secured the consent of the United States Senate to have the manuscript printed. The Commission gratefully noted the action on the part of Senator Taft and sent a letter to him as follows: February 20, 1950. DEAR SENATOR TAFT: The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting today, asked me to convey to you their thanks and appreciation for your kindness in having secured the consent of the United States Senate to have printed, with illustrations, a document entitled "Forty Years of Achievement," commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the National Commission of Fine Arts. The Commission have noted in the Congressional Record of January 18, 1950, that it is being printed as Senate Document No. 128. For the Commission of Fine Arts, At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on October 17, 1949, Chairman Clarke read a letter received by the Secretary from Dean William W. Wurster, the newly appointed chairman of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission. In the letter Dean Wurster expressed views relating to the development of the National Capital as follows: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING, October 13, 1949. DEAR MR. CAEMMERER: Thank you for your generous thought in sending the book, "Historic Washington." It is a splendid way in which to trace the changes and growth of Washington. In addition to the normal functions associated with the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, I am most eager that we retain the flavor of Washington. I realize much, much has been lost but let us join forces to see what can be done to save the rest. For instance, I would like Lafayette Square left as is. Let us keep the Cosmos Club, and the buildings on the west corner near the Blair House, as well as St. Johns and the Decatur House. Let us keep the old Corcoran building, etc. Even though General Grant violently disagrees, I want to keep the old Post Office. I am against flattening anything to fit today's taste. I regret the Senate Chamber is being brought to a beautiful pallid state. I hope the building west of the White House is never remodeled with the removal of the columns, etc., to render it an eunuch of buildings. Washington has enough grandeur and I hope we can stress the treasuring of the trees, planting more of them, and rehabilitating the city, very much as Georgetown has been done. Thank you, again, for the book. WILLIAM W. WURSTER, Dean. The Commission gratefully noted the letter. In line with the thoughts expressed in the letter, Vice Chairman Finley suggested holding at some time during the Sesquicentennial year 1950, a joint meeting of organizations interested in the Plan of Washington. Mr. Finley's conception was a meeting similar to that held in 1929 during the development of the Public Buildings Program, which would give an opportunity to discuss pertinent problems and to show a moving picture on the development of Washington. The Secretary was authorized to write Dean Wurster regarding the matter. This was done. HISTORIC WASHINGTON: CAPITAL OF THE NATION GILMORE D. CLARKE, 145 East 32d Street, New York 16, December 29, 1948. DEAR MR. CAEMMERER: In writing and in assembling the photographs, drawings, and maps for your recently published "Historic Washington, Capital of the Nation," you have rendered a fine service, not only to our great Capital, but as well to the whole country. It is most timely that an informative document on the Nation's greatest city be published and it is eminently fitting that it be prepared by one who has been so intimately connected with the gradual and orderly growth of the Capital over the past quarter of a century. I am sure that the members of the Commission are as proud as I am that the Secretary and Administrative Officer of the Commission of Fine Arts is the author of this authoritative, unusually well illustrated, and attractive document concerning Washington. I congratulate you and thank you on behalf of countless numbers of American citizens who, through libraries and other sources, may have the opportunity to learn something of the fundamentals concerning the development of the Capital City of the United States. The editorial in yesterday's Evening Star, entitled "Historic Washington," conveys a high tribute from the Press. With warm best wishes for a happy New Year to you and to yours, Sincerely yours, GILMORE D. CLARKE. Dr. H. PAUL CAEMMERER, Evening Star 12-29-48. HISTORIC WASHINGTON A booklet sponsored by the Columbia Historical Society naturally would be expected to have historic significance, and "Historic Washington," just off the press, justifies all reasonable anticipations in that regard. The author of this 98-page chronicle of the Nation's Capital is Dr. H. Paul Caemmerer, a past president of the society, who has been secretary of the National Commission of Fine Arts since 1922. He brings to his task a thorough knowledge of the evolution of the District of Columbia, as well as a keen appreciation of beauty in city planning and building. One quality in the result of his labors is convenience. The little book represents an assembling of data which an average citizen interested in Washington would wish to have available in compact form. Many of the illustrations never have been published previously in any volume intended for popular reading. Mr. Caemmerer has produced a work which the man in the street can enjoy, yet he has preserved the scientific character of his conception of his theme. Washington has grown from very small beginnings, and this account of its rise does not omit its struggles. Neither does it neglect the triumphs which have been achieved. Mr. Caemmerer, for instance, is frank about the processes of trial and error which finally yielded the Capitol as we see it today-a monument reflecting the people's experience, not perfect, perhaps, yet undeniably impressive beyond any other parliamentary edifice in the world. At the close of his text the author rejoices in the adaptability of Washington "to meet all future needs." That is his way of saying that change is necessary and desirable. But he also emphasizes consistency when he quotes former President Hoover's words about the encouragement of "elevation of thought * which comes from great architecture." Mr. Caemmerer, stressing the history of the Nation's Capital, sets up a model for the future with special recognition of the Sesquicentennial in 1950. Copies of his book may be had from the office of the Historical Society at 1420 New York Avenue, NW., at cost of publication-75 cents each. FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held in Washington on May 17, 1950, the Commission took note of the fact that 40 years ago, on May 17, 1910, the Commission of Fine Arts was established by Act of Congress approved on that date. Chairman Clarke stated that the first meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts was held July 8, 1910. Members present were Daniel H. Burnham, chairman, Mr. Millet, Mr. Moore, Mr. Hastings, and Mr. Olmsted. Mr. French and Mr. Gilbert were absent. The Commission met in the Lemon Building, which is on New York Avenue NW., adjacent to the Octagon. Thereupon, Mr. Clarke appropriately called attention to the article which was written for this Anniversary by the Secretary entitled "Forty Years of Achievement," and which was printed by order of the United States Senate as Senate Document No. 128. The document contained a summary of the work of the Commission during the past 40 years and pictures of most of the 50 members who served on the Commission during that period. The Commission regarded it an excellent document and expressed their appreciation and thanks to Mr. Caemmerer concerning it. SEAL OF THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS The Commission had long felt the need of a Seal for use in certifying official documents and considered the Fortieth Anniversary an appropriate time to have one made. Chairman Clarke arranged for the drawing and Mr. Lawrie, the sculptor member of the Commission made the model. It showed as its main motif the top of the Washington Monument, which Mr. Lawrie said, "is a monument to Washington and a monument to the United States of America." Thirteen stars were suggested over the top of the monument in a semicircle. The words, "Commission of Fine Arts, United States of America, Established by Congress, 1910" were added. The die was made by courtesy of the Director of the Mint. ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on July 20, 1950, Vice Chairman Finley welcomed into the Commission Professor Hudnut, Mr. Neild, Mr. Belluschi, and Mr. deWeldon, all members recently appointed by the President. Mr. Finley said: As an older member of the Commission, I am delighed to welcome you and I think you will find, as all of us do, that your service here will give you great satisfaction. There are many pleasant things about it but, as with most worthwhile jobs, there are also headaches. However, taking the good with the bad, it is one of the most interesting opportunities a man can have to render useful and constructive service to his country. I am sure you will find it so. The first order of business is the election of a chairman. Thereupon, on motion of Professor Murphy, seconded by Mr. Neild, Mr. Finley was unanimously elected chairman of the Commission. Mr. Finley expressed his appreciation of the election, although as he said, he had not sought it. However, he said also, "I shall do my best." The Secretary stated that it was a fine thing to have the chairman of the Commission in Washington, because the Commission frequently has important matters which require immediate contract with the chairman. GIFTS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on March 19 and 20, 1951, note was taken of the numerous objects, of varying merit which had been offered by private individuals for placement in the White House. Even after an expression of willingness to accept them by the White House authorities had been received, the question remained whether or not an appropriate place could be found for such gifts. The Commission felt that this method of furnishing the White House was not satisfactory. It required considerable time for Chairman Finley to consult the members individually when the question of acceptance of gifts arose. Professor Hudnut felt that it would be better to delegate the responsibility to Chairman Finley and thereby eliminate much of this detail. Thereupon Professor Hudnut offered the following motion: That the chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts shall be a Committee of one, associating with himself other members of the Commission if he wishes to do so, who shall act as a subcommittee for the Commission. On motion, properly moved and seconded, the above Resolution was adopted. Chairman Finley thanked the Commission for this action, saying that it would simplify |