William H. Taft Typed Letter Signed...

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William H. Taft Typed Letter Signed on White House letterhead. Great association letter, one page, 7" x 9", Washington, March 12, 1912, to Secretary of the Treasury Franklin MacVeagh regarding site selection for the Lincoln Memorial. He writes: "If I were to have a jury for the selection of a site for the Lincoln Memorial, I wouldn't put anybody who lived on Meridian Hill on the jury or anyone who comes within the beneficent influence of Mrs. Henderson. I think I shall send your note to Dan Burnham just for the purpose of having him understand the detrimental effect of the Washington atmosphere on a really artistic nature." The site location of the Lincoln Memorial was of utmost importance as it would determine the overall layout of the Mall as proposed by the Park Commission and the overall layout of downtown Washington D.C. The Park Commission had proposed that the Memorial be placed at the western end of the Mall. There were critics who deemed the location as too withdrawn, and those with their own interests who proposed other locations such as the plaza of Union Station. There were even proposals made to nix the Memorial in favor of a "Lincoln Road". Through the joint efforts of the Commission of Fine Arts (founded in 1910) chaired by Burnham and the Lincoln Memorial Commission (established in 1911) chaired by Taft, Congress finally approved the original site proposed by the Park Commission. Great association to both Lincoln and Burnham, most noted for his work on the Columbia Expo in Chicago; as well as insight into the city planning of modern day Washington DC. Near fine condition.