is a conspicuous demonstration of the city's regard for the great explorer." For the Commission of Fine Arts: Sincerely yours, DAVID E. FINLEY, Chairman. Mr. HILLARY A. TOLSON, Assistant Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. A GIFT OF CARILLON BELLS FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE NETHERLANDS Under date of January 3, 1952, President Truman sent Chairman Finley a memorandum regarding a proposed gift from the Netherlands. Mr. Finley brought the President's memorandum to the attention of the Commission of Fine Arts at a meeting held on January 10, 1952. It reads as follows: THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, January 3, 1952. Memorandum for: Honorable David E. Finley, Chairman, Fine Arts Commission. From: The President. Attached is a memorandum from the Secretary of State regarding the gift from the people of The Netherlands of forty bells to be hung in a tower in Washington. I wish you would take a look at the situation and see what sort of suggestion can be made on it. HARRY S. TRUMAN. Memorandum for the President. The Netherlands Ambassador has told us of a proposal for a gift of a carillon from the people of The Netherlands to the people of this country. The idea has the consent of Her Majesty Queen Juliana, and the Netherlands Cabinet has agreed to its execution. A committee for the project has been formed under the direction of Dr. Leonardus G. Kortenhorst, Chairman of the Dutch Lower Chamber of Parliament. The carillon would be made in one of the old Dutch bell foundries and would be hung in a bell tower to be erected in a suitable location in Washington. The underlying idea is that the different bells, approximately 40 in number, would represent various sectors of the population of The Netherlands. One would be a present from Dutch youth, another would be a present from Dutch labor, and so on. It is proposed that funds for the bells would be collected in The Netherlands primarily by means of many small contributions rather than by large donations. Dr. Kortenhorst is expected to launch the appeal for funds with a nationwide broadcast on New Year's Eve. According to press reports, Mr. E. Timmermans, Municipal carillonist of Rotterdam, plans to visit Washington early in 1952 to inspect acoustical and technical aspects of the site to be selected. Although we understand that the entire carillon cannot be completed in less than a year, Her Majesty could present in April one small bell in token of the whole. In our view, a bell tower, housing this gift from the Dutch people, could become a distinguished landmark in Washington, representative of the long tradition of friendship between the United States and The Netherlands. We recommend that you authorize us to tell the Netherlands Ambassador you will be glad to accept on behalf of the American people this generous expression of friendship, and that the Department be authorized to consult with other responsible United States agencies regarding the details of the location and construction of the tower and to reach agreement on these details with appropriate Netherlands authorities. DEAN ACHESON. The Commission considered the matter in detail. It felt that the gift should be accepted. However, note was made of a few items that were not sufficiently clear to the Commission. In the first place, there was no indication that the people of The Netherlands would provide a Carillon Tower. This should be a high tower, and the expense of it would be costly, an estimated $1,000,000. To place the bells in the Washington Monument, the Post Office Tower on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Dome of the Capitol, or the Naval Hospital at Bethesda, was not considered suitable. Therefore, a Carillon Tower would have to be built, to accommodate the bells. If located on public land in the District of Columbia, an Act of Congress would be necessary. A reply was sent to President Truman, recommending acceptance of the proposed gift, and stating that the Commission would be glad to cooperate with the Secretary of State or other Government officials in working out arrangements for the Carillon. The Chairman wrote as follows to the President on January 11, 1952: DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, which was held yesterday, I told the members of the Memorandum which I had received from you, enclosing a copy of a Memorandum which you had received from the Secretary of State concerning the proposed gift of a carillon of forty bells from the people of The Netherlands to the people of the United States. The members of the Commission were greatly impressed by this gesture of friendship on the part of The Netherlands and are happy to recommend acceptance of this generous offer, with the understanding that certain details in connection with this offer should be agreed to on the part of the United States Government. It was not clear to the Commission whether or not The Netherlands Government would make provision for the erection of a tower in Washington, in which the carillon could be installed. If the tower is to be erected by the United States Government, funds should be provided for this purpose. If the tower is to be similar in height and design to the Bok Tower in Florida, such a tower, in the opinion of the Commission, would probably cost about a million dollars. The members of the Commission were of the opinion that the tower should be given an important location, preferably on public grounds in the District of Columbia, for which an Act of Congress would be necessary; and also that provision should be made for the carillon to be played at stated intervals. The Commission will be happy to be of assistance in finding a suitable location for the tower and to render assistance to the Secretary of State, or other Government officials, in connection with the erection of the tower and the installation of the carillon in Washington. DEAR MR. FINLEY: For several years I have been interested in having placed in Washington, D.C., a bronze statue of Leifr Eiricsson, which currently is at the Newport News Maritime Museum. I have recently received a cost estimate from Mr. Harry T. Thompson of the National Capital Parks, which indicates that the cost of landscaping the grounds, driving the necessary piling and erecting a suitable pedestal for the statue would be in excess of $52,000. It would appear that such a cost would make it impossible to erect the statue at this time. Therefore I am writing to inquire as to the attitude of the Commission concerning a much less ornate pedestal on which the statue could be placed. I would appreciate your views in the matter. Very truly yours, WARREN G. MAGNUSON, United States Senator. The Commission discussed the subject with Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson said that the location which is being considered is one along the Potomac River, near the Inlet Bridge, in Potomac Park, about 400 feet north of the Highway Bridge. The site was approved by the Commission of Fine Arts a number of years ago, and the intention then was that the statue would have a pedestal similar to the one at Reykjavik, Iceland. The Secretary stated that the project had been pending since the close of the World's Fair in New York in 1939, where this statue was exhibited. It is a duplicate of the statue presented to Iceland by the United States Government in 1930. The statue now stands on a temporary pedestal in front of the Marine Museum at Newport News, Virginia. Photographs of the statue and of its present location were shown. It is the work of A. Sterling Calder, sculptor. Mr. Thompson stated that the estimate of $52,000 for the pedestal and landscaping the grounds is reasonable. Potomac Park consists of reclaimed land, and at that location, the pedestal would require underpinning. The site was visited later in the day. Chairman Finley wrote Senator Magnuson as follows: February 28, 1952. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: In further reference to my letter of February 1st, I am pleased to inform you that the Commission of Fine Arts, at a meeting held on February 26, 1952, gave careful consideration to the question of erecting a bronze statue of Leifr Eiricsson in the City of Washington. The Commission also visited the suggested location for the statue, adjacent to the Potomac River in Potomac Park. The estimate of $52,000 for the pedestal, which was given to you by Mr. Harry T. Thompson, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of National Capital Parks, the Commission feels, is correct and reasonable. This is based on the assumption, of course, that a pedestal, similar to the one of the Leifr Eiricsson Statue at Reykjavik, Iceland, would be secured, and that the statue would be given a firm foundation, including underpinning, since the Potomac Park area consists of reclaimed land. The problem resolves itself into the question of choosing the above-mentioned location for the statue, or of selecting another site where a much simpler pedestal could be provided, and at a location that would not require underpinning. In the latter event it might become necessary to place the statue at some distance from the river. This, the Commission feels, would be unfortunate since it is evident that the statue was designed for location at a waterfront. The Commission has heard informally that there are residents of North Dakota who are heartily in favor of the Potomac Park site, therefore, before taking any further action in the matter of choosing another location, the Commission would be pleased to await further advice from you on the subject. Sincerely yours, Senator Magnuson replied to Chairman Finley, by letter dated March 6, 1952: Relative to your letter of February 28, I am informing the Commission of Fine Arts that I feel that the Potomac Park site for the Leifr Eiricsson statue is the best. I am planning to continue my efforts to obtain the necessary funds for the foundation. I am, of course, unable to predict when we may be successful in obtaining this money. BUST OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT During a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts on October 25, 1951, the Secretary of the Interior submitted a letter with photographs of a proposed bust of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The bust was to be cast in bronze and placed as a memorial at Grand Coulee Dam. It was modeled by Frederic F. Littman, of Portland, Oreg. The matter was referred to Mr. de Weldon for report, and he recommended restudy of the model, noting carefully bone structure, proportions and angles of the features of President Roosevelt. Mr. de Weldon felt that the artist should give special study to expression and personality of the President in clear sculptural form. The Commission reported in a letter to Secretary Chapman-"Both the likeness and expression should be modeled in good sculptural form. Even more important than the recognizable features is the need for expression of the personality of the late President, who had so much life and warmth of character." At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on April 30, 1952, Chairman Finley presented the following letter received by him from the Secretary of the Interior: April 29, 1952. MY DEAR MR. FINLEY: On December 10, 1951, we informed you that steps were being taken to effectuate your suggestions with regard to the bust of the late President Roosevelt which is to be installed at Grand Coulee Dam. The model of this bust is now in my office. I would appreciate it very much if your Commission could inspect this model at its next meeting on April 30. Sincerely yours, OSCAR L. CHAPMAN. The Commission visted the Office of the Secretary of the Interior at noon and saw the model. The Commission felt that a considerable improvement had been made by the sculptor, Frederic F. Littman, of Portland, Oreg. The bust is to be about 6 feet high, cast in bronze and mounted on a pedestal about 5 feet high. The Commission approved the model. DR. J. FINLEY WILSON MEMORIAL (S.J. RES 162) Under date of June 19, 1952, the following letter was received from Honorable Carl Hayden, Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, United States Senate: Enclosed herein is a copy of a joint resolution (S.J. Res. 162), authorizing the erection of a memorial to Doctor J. Finley Wilson, in Washington, District of Columbia. This resolution is now pending before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. The members of the Committee would appreciate it very much if you would submit at the earliest practicable date your views and comments on this resolution. The Commission considered the Joint Resolution at a meeting held on July 2, 1952. The Secretary stated that the Order of Elks of which Dr. Wilson was the head for a number of years proposed to spend from $50,000 to $60,000 for a memorial to him. He was a leading Negro educator; he died in February 1952. As a site for the proposed memorial, a triangle at Vermont Avenue and Tenth Street NW, has been chosen by the Memorial Committee. The Commission was of the opinion that a fountain would be an appropriate type of memorial for the location. A favorable report was made by Senator Hayden on the legislation, as follows: The Commission of Fine Arts respectfully reports that in the event of the enactment of the legislation by the Congress, the Commission will give careful consideration to the type and design of the proposed memorial, and to plans for the treatment of the grounds. HISTORIC SHRINE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES During a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on July 2, 1952, the Commission called on Honorable Wayne C. Grover, Archivist of the United States, regarding the Historic Shrine Project. Dr. Grover had written previously to the Commission, as follows: May 26, 1952. I am enclosing a copy of the sketch prepared by the Public Buildings Service, showing the Shrine in the National Archives Building Exhibition Hall. The Declaration of Independence will be displayed in the upright case, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the flat case. We plan to install a mechanism under the display cases which will enable us to enclose the documents in the thick steel "envelopes" when they are not on display, thus adding to their security. This work will require about six months to complete. We have decided, therefore, to transfer the documents from the Library of Congress to the National Archives Building on December 15, 1952-Bill of Rights Day. Dr. Grover led the Commission to the Exhibition Room and explained the work proposed on the display cases to house the historic documents. He said the Shrine was originally designed about the year 1936, but that for somewhat more than 10 years the Library of Congress has retained them in custody. Now it seemed that for safety or security reasons and atmospheric conditions, it would be better to place the documents in the National Archives. Professor Hudnut pointed out that it was out of order to place the Bill of Rights flat and have the Declaration of Independence stand above it. Dr. Grover expained that the cases were not large enough to place these three documents side by side, since it had been definitely decided to show two pages of the original copy of the Constitution of the United States, namely, the preamble and the signatures of the document. The Commission was not satisfied with the arrangement proposed. MEMORIAL TO GENERAL PERSHING At a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on February 3, 1953, the Commission gave consideration to a letter from Senator William E. Jenner, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, transmitting a copy of S.J. Res. 5, introduced by Senator Maybank, to provide for the erection of a Memorial to General Pershing in the District of Columbia. The legislation reads as follows: Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the American Battle Monuments Commission, whose former Chairman was the late John J. Pershing, General of the Armies of the United States, is authorized and directed to prepare plans and estimates for the erection of a suitable memorial to General John J. Pershing, together with recommendations with respect to site, design, and materials, for submission to the Congress at as early a date as practicable. Such plans shall, prior to submission to the Congress, be approved by the National Commission of Fine Arts with respect to the design and materials to be used. The Commission briefly recalled the heroic achievements of General Pershing during World War I. A report was sent to Senator Jenner approving the legislation as proposed, and advising that the Commission of Fine Arts would be glad to see a memorial erected to General Pershing in the District of Columbia. TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER, WORLD WAR II During a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts, held on September 13, 1948, the Commission visited the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, at the request of the War Department, to consider further the question of location of the proposed Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War II. Chairman Clarke stated that he was of the opinion that the best arrangement would be to remove the east steps of the Amphitheater and have simply a plain marble wall to support the columns, in front of which would be the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of World War II, on the same level as that of World War I. There would be then no entrance from the east side. The President and other dignitaries would approach the portico from the Memorial Hall. Thus a splendid view could be had of both the World War I and the World War II memorials. The Commission considered the matter fully, and seemed to think that the idea as presented by Chairman Clarke was worthy of study by the architect, Mr. Lorimer Rich. A drawing setting forth this idea was to be made by Mr. Rich for submission to the Commission by the War Department when ready. TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER Under date of January 15, 1953, a letter was received from Colonel James B. Clearwater, Chief of the Memorial Division, Office of the Quartermaster General, Department of the Army, requesting the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts as to future action that should be taken relative to the Beech Hedge adjacent to the approaches of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. When the hedge was planted some 20 years ago, the landscape design called for formal trimming of the hedge, making a horizontal plane at the top, and vertical planes at the sides. This was done for a number of years. Because of the drastic trimming many of the beech trees comprising the hedge failed to survive, and it was therefore decided to omit trimming the hedge. The question was now being revived, and advice was desired: (a) Whether the effect would justify the ex pense; (b) Whether the hedge has gone beyond the stage when trimming could be accomplished without permanent injury to the trees; (c) Whether Congress should be requested to make such an annual appropriation for the purpose. The matter was considered at a meeting of the Commission of Fine Arts held on February 3, 1953, and was brought to the particular attention of the landscape architect and city planning member, Mr. Peets. Mr. Peets said: "The trees are European beech. They haven't been pruned for many years and it will be difficult to get them into shape. The hardest part will be the hemicycles at the cross walk; many of the trees are in bad condition and the curved shape is almost lost. The uneven rise of the land at the various slopes and terraces will increase the difficulty of operations." After discussion, the Commission reported to Colonel Clearwater, as follows: February 9, 1953. MY DEAR COLONEL CLEARWATER: As requested in your letter of January 15th, the Commission of Fine Arts, at its meeting on February 3rd, discussed the questions you raised in connection with the European beech hedges at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You asked that the Commission advise you as to (1) the importance, from an aesthetic point of view, of maintaining formal hedges; and (2) the practicability of making formal hedges by the use of trees now existing at the site. As regards your first inquiry, the Commission adheres to its former judgment that formal hedges, as shown by the drawings submitted by the architect, are desirable from an aesthetic point of view. As to the second inquiry, the Commission believes that the existing trees could be so trimmed as to form reasonably satisfactory hedges. We recognize that to make formal hedges of the existing trees will present a difficult problem and that it may be many years before such hedges will approach the beauty of those to be found in Europe. Within about two years, however, after the trees have been trimmed, the hedges should present an appearance superior to that existing at the present time with the present informal planting. I am enclosing some notes, prepared by Mr. Peets, on the technical factors that would be involved in carrying out the pruning operation referred to above. For the Commission of Fine Arts: Sincerely yours, DAVID E. FINLEY, Chairman. Colonel JAMES B. CLEARWATER, QMC, Chief, Memorial Division, MEMORIAL TO SARA LOUISA RITTENHOUSE Under date of February 6, 1953, the Commission received the following letter from Honorable William E. Jenner, Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration: Enlosed please find two copies of S.J. Res. 37, introduced by Senator Clements, of Kentucky, to authorize the erection of a memorial to Sara Louisa Rittenhouse in Montrose Park, District of Columbia. I would appreciate your comments as to the advisability of this measure. S.J. Res. 37 provided that the Secretary of the Interior be authorized and directed to grant to the Georgetown Garden Club permission to erect in Montrose Park in the District of Columbia an appropriate memorial to Sara Louisa Rittenhouse. The design of such memorial prior to the erection thereof, should be approved by the Commission of Fine Arts. No part of any expense incurred in connection with the erection of such memorial was to be borne by the United States. Chairman Finley asked the Secretary for information concerning Miss Rittenhouse, and the Secretary reported that Miss Rittenhouse was a longtime resident of Georgetown, a civic leader, much interested in promoting the Garden Club of Georgetown. She lived to be 98 years old, having been born in Georgetown in the year 1845. Miss Rittenhouse was leader in the movement to save Montrose Park from becoming a housing development somewhat over 40 years ago. It was largely through her efforts that Congress provided $110,000 for the purchase of Montrose Park, comprising 16 acres, by an Act of March 2, 1911. In this connection the Secretary called attention to a Resolution adopted by the National Park Service Historic Council, as follows: |