rents of popular thought. State pride is revealed, shortcomings are stated and remedies suggested, limitations are defined and ways and means outlined. The subject of correcting and completing the Capitol equipment as a part of State policy is usually expressly advocated. Even at the time the removal of the capital from Iowa City and the construction of the Capitol were bitter political issues, no Chief Executive ever stood against providing that the future might build as it needed. In the evolution of the plan to correct and complete the Capitol grounds, the following Executive expressions have had their weight: WILLIAM LARRABEE, Second Biennial Message, February 13, 1890. The improvement of the capitol grounds ought to be begun at an early day. The grounds should be in keeping with the capitol, which is one of the most beautiful on the continent. The expense of properly laying out the grounds was estimated by the board of capitol commissioners at $130,786.11. Since that estimate was made some grading has been done without expense to the State. The sum of $125,000 would probably be sufficient to complete this work. The custodian recommends that $50,000 per annum be appropriated for three years for the work on the grounds and the interior of the building. LESLIE M. SHAW, First Biennial Message, January 8, 1900. When the present capitol was built it was believed to be as commodious as the needs of the State would ever require. It has now been occupied sixteen years, and several of the departments are seriously congested. An arsenal is needed for the accommodation of the Adjutant-General's department. Storage of quartermaster supplies is now provided in a building rented for the purpose. It was found necessary to locate the board of control in committee rooms back of the senate chamber, which cannot well be spared from their designed use during session of the General Assembly. A warehouse for the storage and proper distribution of and reshipment of supplies for the various institutions under the management of the Board of Control is much needed and should be provided for at an early date. A new building for the memorial, historical and art department has been erected, and partitions and changes in various offices have been found imperative to make room for the several departments connected with the State government. Evidently additional buildings will be needed in the near future, and these, when erected, should be fireproof, and of substantial and presentable architecture, and should be so located as to improve and add dignity to the present capitol. I recommend that the two blocks directly north of the capitol grounds be immediately purchased, or obtained under condemnation proceedings. Nothing will be saved by delay, and the erection of substantial buildings by the owners upon this property may materially add to the expense. Location of public buildings is a matter of prime importance, and I think it will be conceded that these two blocks are very desirable. No location is too good for Iowa, and none but the best should be considered. ALBERT B. CUMMINS, Biennial Message, January, 1906. In accordance with an act of the Thirtieth General Assembly, the Executive Council sold State Square for $8,500. The authority so to do was accompanied with a direction to invest the proceeds of the sale in lots fronting upon Capitol Square. The Council has purchased one lot fronting on Eleventh St., between Capitol Ave. and Walnut, for $2,250. It has endeavored to purchase other property, but has hitherto been unable to agree with the owners upon a price. WARREN GARST, Biennial Message, January 12, 1909. I feel that you and all the people of the State ought to be deeply interested in the matter of providing a suitable setting for our magnificent State Capitol. It stands today a monument to the good judgment of those who planned it and provided for its creation, and to the faithfulness and integrity of the self-sacrificing men who devoted the best of their lives to its building. Iowa can never pay its debt to Finkbine, Dey, Foote, Wright, Foreman and others of the Capitol Commission. They did their full duty; and partly in their honor and partly that we may complete what they so well begun, it seems to me there is an obligation upon this generation that we make the surroundings and approach to this great structure comport with its dignity and architectural beauty. We have provided in part for the interior decoration; we have neglected the exterior and environment. I would recommend, therefore, a commission authorized to purchase land adjacent to the capitol grounds, with the right of condemnation where necessary, and with funds sufficient to secure such land as may be deemed necessary to provide a beautiful boulevard of approach and surroundings. An appropriation of $150,000 would probably suffice. In making this recommendation I realize that there are those among you who may feel I have gone far out of my way; but I would call your attention to the fact that a very large part of the total cost of the present Capitol represents ornamentation. We ought to make the building and its surroundings beautiful. We ought to make the whole an object of pride to all our people, something that will be an inspiration to better citizenship and that will give Iowa higher standing in the family of states. I feel so deeply upon this question, I am loath to leave it for the more practical matters, but I have full faith that after mature consideration you will see your way clear to provide for this commission. BERYL F. CARROLL, Biennial Message, January 14, 1913. A comprehensive scheme for enlarging the Capitol grounds should be adopted by you and plans be made for the eventual acquiring of the lands to be added to the present holdings of the State. I would recommend that the State buy all the grounds lying between East Ninth and East Twelfth Streets, beginning at Capitol Avenue and extending to the railroad tracks at the foot of the hill to the south. The grounds thus acquired, lying south of Walnut Street, should be parked and beautified, and upon them should be placed the Allison monument and such other monuments as may be erected in the future, and when the State shall build an Executive Mansion, it should be placed upon the high point of ground to the southeast of the Capitol building. Upon the block immediately east of the State House and south of Capitol Avenue should be located a judicial building. I would also suggest that when the time comes that it is necessary to make any considerable improvement in the State's power plant, it would be wise to consider moving it to the foot of the hill, south and southwest of the State House, where it could be reached by a switch, thereby saving the large amount of money that is annually paid for hauling coal with teams and wagons, and also getting rid of the dirt and smoke and the somewhat unsightly appearance of a heating plant immediately in front of the Capitol building. In suggesting the enlargement of the Capitol Grounds, I wish to say that the owners of some of the lots included in that which I have referred to, have already expressed a willingness to sell the same and some have submitted a price for their holdings. I want also to say that at two or three different times efforts have been made to secure a change of grade in some of the streets about the State House, which change would have a very material effect upon the surroundings if additional lands are to be acquired. The Council has each time objected to these changes and asked the parties interested therein to wait and take the matter up with you with a view to securing co-operation with the City of Des Moines and the State in some general plan of improving the State House surroundings, and I recommend the appointment by you of a committee to take this matter into consideration and co-operate with the officials of the city to the end suggested. In my opinion the State might profitably dispose of Governor's Square, allowing the city to purchase it for a park if so desired, and invest the proceeds in lands above suggested for purchase. |