The members of the Commission do not see that the traditional association of granite with monumentality is valid enough to compensate for the distractions the driver experiences at the very moments when the mind is assumed to sense a heightening of monumental significance. We believe, rather, that the approach from the Lincoln Memorial to the Arlington National Cemetery would gain in unity, beauty, and dignity by being paved as uniformly as is technically feasible. Mr. Harry T. Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, National Capital Parks, submitted a report, which the Commission examined, on the number of accidents that had occurred on the Arlington Memorial Bridge and the old 14th Street Bridge during the years 1948 and 1949. Mr. Neild pointed out that a considerably greater number of accidents occurred on the wet granite blocks than on the wet asphalt of the old 14th Street Bridge, namely, in the ratio 39 to 15 and 41 to 16. The Commission asked Mr. Peets to formulate a report, to be sent to the Office of National Capital Parks, National Park Service. THEATER PERFORMANCES IN WASHINGTON At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on August 17, 1951, the Commission considered a request for advice from Honorable Arthur G. Klein, House of Representatives, regarding several Congressional Bills (H.J. Res. 260, H.J. Res. 294, H.R. 1225, H.R. 2122, and S. 2666, proposing "to bring to Washington, District of Columbia, theater productions of State, land-grant, and other accredited colleges and universities. The Commission considered the Bills and decided that there should be no objection to the enactment of any of these Bills if, in each case, the agency of the Government concerned would agree to the plan proposed. The Commission reported to Congressman Klein as follows: August 17, 1951. DEAR CONGRESSMAN KLEIN: In further reference to your communication of July 23, enclosing, for the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts, copies of H.J. Res. 260, H.J. Res. 294, H.R. 1225, H.R. 2122, and S. 2666, having for their object "to bring to Washington, District of Columbia, theater productions of landgrant, State and other accredited colleges and universi ties," I have to report that the Commission of Fine Arts at their meeting today gave these Bills careful consideration. The Commission of Fine Arts have no objection to the enactment of the proposed Bills, provided, in each case, it meets with the approval of the Government Agency concerned. With regard to H.J. Res. 294, "Authorizing the National Capital Sesquicentennial Commission to bring to Washington, District of Columbia, theater productions of State, land-grant, and other accredited colleges and universities," the Play given by that Commission, "Faith of our Fathers," is performed in an out-ofdoor theater. It is to be regretted that in Washington there is no Opera House or large Auditorium where such performances can be given during the winter During a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts on July 19, 1951, and in accordance with arrangements previously made, the Commission proceeded to the White House at 11:45 a.m. to examine architectural drawings by Lorenzo S. Winslow, Architect of the White House, that were displayed in his office. Major General Glen Edgerton, Col. Gillette, Mr. Chandler, Assistant to Mr. Winslow, and Mr. H. G. Crim, Chief Usher, were present. The Commission examined the drawings in detail, noting the changes proposed in the renovation of the White House, especially the new stairway leading from the main floor to the second floor, the treatment of the second floor corridor, additional basement facilities, and the convenient arrangement of the President's bedroom in relation to his study, adjacent to the second floor balcony. After inspecting the drawings, Mr. Winslow pointed out these features of the designs, during an inspection trip through the White House. The Commission unanimously approved the drawings, and complimented Mr. Winslow on his work in renovating the White House. RENOVATION OF THE WHITE HOUSE During a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on August 17, 1951, the Commission met with the Commission on Renovation of the Executive Mansion in the White House at 11:15 a.m. Members of that Commission present were Senator Edward Martin, Representative Louis C. Rabaut, Representative Richard Erwin Dougherty, Mr. Douglas Orr, FAIA, Major General Glen E. Edgerton, Executive Director, and Colonel Gillette, Assistant; also present were Mr. Lorenzo S. Winslow, Architect of the White House, Mr. Alan S. Thorn, Supervising Architect, Public Buildings Administration, and Mr. Charles T. Haight, director of the Decorating Shop, B. Altman Company, New York City. Mr. Orr described the work he was presenting as a culmination of the effort that has been made since Congress provided the funds for it in 1949. "The greater part of the money which Congress made available ($5,400,000) has been spent", he said, "for structural work. The White House is now actually one-third larger than it was originally, without, however, extending the main walls. There are six floors, namely, two basement floors, one of which is for air-conditioning equipment, a ground floor, the main floor for the State Rooms, the second floor for living quarters for the President and his family, as well as guests, and the third floor for guests and servants. The Commission is anxious to complete the work as soon as possible, but indications are that about 6 months more will be required." Mr. Haight then explained the colored renderings which were presented, showing first the designs for renovation of the State Rooms, and then the designs for renovation of the rooms of the President and his family on the second floor. In addition a few miscellaneous renderings were presented. "In the East Room," he said, "the fabric for the curtains will be yellow damask with a pattern suggested by curtains in the apartment of Marie Antoinette in the Trianon. There will be two very handsome sofas in the Adam style, upholstered in blue damask. The chandeliers will be somewhat reduced in size. "The Green Room will be about the same in appearance as it was 32 years ago when it was renovated, and the walls covered with green damask. The furnishings are now in good condition, including the rug. "In The Blue Room, the material covering the wall will be similar to that used in 1902. There has been some change in the pattern. The material for the curtains omits the large motifs of the wall material. The crystal chandelier formerly in the Red Room will be placed in the Blue Room. "The Red Room will have walls covered with red damask based on a sample of material used in Windsor Castle. There will be a new red chenille carpet and a crystal chandelier. "The Dining Room will be green with painted panelled walls. The draperies will be the yellow damask ones formerly in place there. The mantle piece will be Georgian in style. There will be an 18th century Chippendale mahogany table which has been given to the White House. There will be three sets of dining room chairs: 24 in mahogany Chippendale style for a small group, 50 chairs covered with yellow Genoese velvet for a larger group, and 100 gold banquet chairs." On the second floor, the west end rooms are for the President and his family with some guest rooms on the north side. Mr. Haight described these briefly. Much of the material formerly used on the second floor will be used in furnishing the third floor rooms. "The Lincoln Room on the second floor will contain the Lincoln bed and other furniture used by him and will be decorated in the style of that period." These remarks concluded Mr. Haight's description. Thereupon, Major General Edgerton thanked Mr. Finley for the assistance given by him in the progress of the work as Honorary Adviser to the White House Commission; gratitude was also expressed for the gift of several crystal chandeliers and pieces of furniture that will be placed in the renovated White House and were secured through the aid of Mr. Finley. The Commission unanimously considered the treatment of the rooms to be excellent, and a report was sent to the Commission on the Renovation of the White House accordingly. THE COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS, Washington, D.C., August 20, 1951. DEAR SIRS: It was a great pleasure for the Commission of Fine Arts to meet with you on August 17th and consider the designs submitted for the treatment of the rooms of the White House, in particular the State Rooms and the private rooms of the President and his family. The Commission recognize the stupendous task that has been imposed on your Commission, during the past two years, to make the White House structurally sound and to pursue the work of renovation according to standards of excellence. The Commission were very glad to have the opportunity to inspect the designs and to hear in detail of the plans for the treatment of the rooms. The Commission are happy to approve the color scheme and the fabrics, samples of which were submitted, and feel that your Commission are to be congratulated on the progress of the work to date. For the Commission of Fine Arts: At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on November 21, 1950, the Secretary presented a letter addressed to the President of the United States that had been signed by Chairman Finley and also by Acting Chairman A. E. Demaray, of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, asking for the President's help in acquiring about a half-dozen lots (assessed at about $25,000). This action was prompted by the submission of the Kass Realty Company's proposal to build an apartment house on the lots and by the submission of a design that the Commission considered in general to be satisfactory. The letter read as follows: THE PRESIDENT, The White House, Washington, D.C. November 15, 1950. MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: The National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts jointly wish to urge your active interest in the need to acquire certain key properties in Washington essential to assure the completion or protection of the central area public building plan of the Nation's Capital, in which is invested several hundred million dollars. We have from time to time recommended to the Public Buildings Service that it seek funds with which to acquire properties at critical locations in accordance with existing authorizations, but such efforts have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, land values have increased materially and in several instances adverse private developments have been barely averted. Currently, a large apartment building is proposed on vacant land at 25th and E Streets NW., adjacent to a "restricted area" on the old Naval Hospital grounds, occupied by State Department agencies. Aside from interfering with any long-time, future public building development in this area, the apartment building would overlook existing Government buildings now relatively secluded. The need for funds to secure property in critical locations is so vital for the protection of investments already made that we believe an exception to present budget policies is warranted. We will be glad to appear before the Bureau of the Budget to explain the urgency of these matters in detail and present a list of properties to be acquired. Sincerely yours, A. E. DEMARAY, Acting Chairman, National Capital Park and Planning Commission, DAVID E. FINLEY, Chairman, Commission of Fine Arts. ENGINEERING BUILDING, HOWARD UNIVERSITY At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on December 10, 1949, Mr. A. S. Thorn, Acting Supervising Architect, Public Buildings Administration, Federal Works Agency, submitted a design for a new Engineering Building at Howard University. Mr. H. R. Robinson, architect of Howard University, explained the design. Brick and limestone will be used in the construction of the building. Mr. Thorn pointed out from a plan of the grounds that the quadrangle was fairly complete, but that many of the buildings were temporary and will be replaced ultimately as part of this program. Mr. Reinhard and Mr. Murphy suggested a few changes in matters of detail, which the architect accepted. Thereupon the Commission approved the design for the building, with the suggestion that the design of the main entrance on Georgia Avenue be restudied. WOMEN'S DORMITORY BUILDING, HOWARD UNIVERSITY Mr. A. S. Thorn, Acting Supervising Architect, Public Buildings Administration, also submitted a design at a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on December 10, 1949, for a Women's Dormitory Building for Howard University. Mr. H. R. Robinson, achitect for the University, explained the design. After a brief discussion, the Commission approved the design after suggesting changes in matters of detail, as explained to the architect. DENTAL SCHOOL, HOWARD UNIVERSITY At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on October 6, 1950, the Acting Supervising Architect, Mr. L. L. Hunter, of the Public Buildings Administration, submitted a design for a Dental School Building for Howard University, designed by the architect of the University, Mr. Hilyard R. Robinson. Mr. Robinson said that it is to be built next to the Medical School. It was designed in the contemporary style of architecture as are other new buildings at the University. There were no questions raised about the design, and the Commission on motion, properly moved and seconded, approved it. DESIGN FOR BIOLOGY-GREENHOUSE BUILDING Mr. Coe said this building was designed in the Georgian style of architecture, being near a dormitory building that has "a rather strong Georgian stylistic detailing." It is to be a biology classroom building, requiring a great deal of light. "On top of it," Mr. Robinson said, "is a greenhouse, which is placed there by reason of limitation of sites available to place the greenhouse elsewhere. The greenhouse is at the top so as to get the maximum of sun exposure and provide the greatest amount of uninterrupted research space. The building surface will be primarily brick of the same character as that of the surrounding buildings, with limestone trim on all of the wall copings, and the main entrance, but with no attempt at monumental treatment." After brief discussion the Commission approved the design. LAW SCHOOL BUILDING, HOWARD UNIVERSITY At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on March 19 and 20, 1951, Mr. L. L. Hunter, Acting Supervising Architect, Public Buildings Administration, submitted a revised design for the Law School Building of Howard University, by Justement, Elam, and Derby, architects of Washington. Mr. Elam of the firm stated. that the shape of the building has not been changed materially since the January meeting of the Commission. "We have spent most of our time in revising the elevations, and incorporating suggestions made by the Commission. Our main changes have been in the fenestration and the main entrance. We believe the fenestration has now been somewhat unified as compared to the original design. Also we have attempted to eliminate or reduce the number of different kinds of materials used in the building. We have eliminated limestone, which appeared around the entrance of the original design; we have adopted an entrance of the canopy type; all brick, except the canopy." After consideration, on motion of Mr. Hudnut, seconded by Mr. Neild, the Commission approved the design. ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, HOWARD UNIVERSITY Mr. Elam also presented the design for this building which was considered simultaneously with the Law School Building which it adjoins. It was pointed out that the Administration Building will house a substation of the United States Post Office Department. The Commission studied both buildings in relation to a landscape plan of the grounds which was also presented at this time. After some discussion, and on motion properly moved and seconded, the design was approved as presented. DESIGN FOR PHARMACY BUILDING, HOWARD UNIVERSITY At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on January 10, 1952, Mr. Leonard L. Hunter, Acting Supervising Architect, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, submitted a design for a proposed Pharmacy Building to be built at Howard University. He called upon Mr. Hilyard R. Robinson, architect of the University, to explain the drawing. Mr. Robinson said: The building that we are concerned with this morning is to be a pharmacy building. It follows the general education building program. It is a predominently laboratory type building with a minimum of special purpose rooms. There is a library and a lecture room, class rooms, and supporting rooms. The general characteristics of the building, so far as site is concerned, were carefully thought out in relation to the other buildings and the restrictions imposed |