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President [[George Washington]] granted the government of the District of Columbia the power to regulate architectural design and urban planning. These powers were suspended by President [[James Monroe]] in 1822.<ref name="GrantPlanning">{{cite journal|last=Grant |first= Ulysses S. III|title =Planning the Nation's Capital|journal = Records of the Columbia Historical Society |date = 1948–1950|volume= 50|page = 48|jstor = 40067315}}</ref> In the wake of the [[World's Columbian Exposition]] in [[Chicago]] in 1893, the [[Cosmos Club]] and [[American Institute of Architects]] formed the Public Art League, a new organization whose purpose was to lobby for a new agency of the federal government to approve the design or purchase of art and architecture by the federal government. Legislation was proposed in Congress in 1897, but failed to pass because members of Congress wanted an advisory board rather than one which could deny Congress the ability to award commissions as part of the [[spoils system]].<ref>Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 1.</ref>
President [[George Washington]] granted the government of the District of Columbia the power to regulate architectural design and urban planning. These powers were suspended by President [[James Monroe]] in 1822.<ref name="GrantPlanning">{{cite journal|last=Grant |first= Ulysses S. III|title =Planning the Nation's Capital|journal = Records of the Columbia Historical Society |date = 1948–1950|volume= 50|page = 48|jstor = 40067315}}</ref> In the wake of the [[World's Columbian Exposition]] in [[Chicago]] in 1893, the [[Cosmos Club]] and [[American Institute of Architects]] formed the Public Art League, a new organization whose purpose was to lobby for a new agency of the federal government to approve the design or purchase of art and architecture by the federal government. Legislation was proposed in Congress in 1897, but failed to pass because members of Congress wanted an advisory board rather than one which could deny Congress the ability to award commissions as part of the [[spoils system]].<ref>Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 1.</ref>


In 1900, the [[United States Congress]] created the [[McMillan Plan|Senate Park Commission]] (also known as the "McMillan Commission" for its chairman, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[James McMillan (politician)|James McMillan]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Michigan|MI]])) to reconcile competing visions for the development of [[Washington, D.C.]], and especially the [[National Mall]] and nearby areas.<ref>Peterson, p. 77-91.</ref> The commission's plan for development of the city, popularly known as the [[McMillan Plan]], proposed the razing of all residences and other buildings on [[President's Park#Lafayette Park|Lafayette Square]] and building tall, [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] government office buildings with facades of white [[marble]] around the square to house executive branch offices.<ref>Peterson, p. 94.</ref> It also proposed clearing large spaces north and south of the [[National Mall]], realigning some streets, and constructing major new museums and public buildings along the Mall's length.<ref>Bednar, p. 49-51.</ref> The commission also proposed significant expansion of the district's park system, the creation of a system of [[parkway]]s, and extensive renovation and beautification of existing parks.<ref>Davis, p. 137-180.</ref> Over the next few years, the President and Congress established several new agencies to supervise the approval, design, and construction of new buildings in the [[District of Columbia]] to carry out the McMillan Plan: The Commission of Fine Arts in 1910 to review and advise on the design of new structures, the Public Buildings Commission in 1916 to make recommendations regarding the construction of buildings to house federal agencies and offices, and the [[National Capital Planning Commission|National Capital Parks and Planning Commission]] in 1924 to oversee planning for the District.<ref>Cannadine, p. 373-374.</ref>
In 1900, the [[United States Congress]] created the [[McMillan Plan|Senate Park Commission]] (also known as the "McMillan Commission" for its chairman, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[James McMillan (politician)|James McMillan]] (R-[[Michigan|MI]])) to reconcile competing visions for the development of [[Washington, D.C.]], and especially the [[National Mall]] and nearby areas.<ref>Peterson, p. 77-91.</ref> The commission's plan for development of the city, popularly known as the [[McMillan Plan]], proposed the razing of all residences and other buildings on [[President's Park#Lafayette Park|Lafayette Square]] and building tall, [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] government office buildings with facades of white [[marble]] around the square to house executive branch offices.<ref>Peterson, p. 94.</ref> It also proposed clearing large spaces north and south of the [[National Mall]], realigning some streets, and constructing major new museums and public buildings along the Mall's length.<ref>Bednar, p. 49-51.</ref> The commission also proposed significant expansion of the district's park system, the creation of a system of [[parkway]]s, and extensive renovation and beautification of existing parks.<ref>Davis, p. 137-180.</ref> Over the next few years, the President and Congress established several new agencies to supervise the approval, design, and construction of new buildings in the [[District of Columbia]] to carry out the McMillan Plan: The Commission of Fine Arts in 1910 to review and advise on the design of new structures, the Public Buildings Commission in 1916 to make recommendations regarding the construction of buildings to house federal agencies and offices, and the [[National Capital Planning Commission|National Capital Parks and Planning Commission]] in 1924 to oversee planning for the District.<ref>Cannadine, p. 373-374.</ref>


On January 11, 1909, a committee of the [[American Institute of Architects]] (AIA) asked President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] to establish an independent federal agency to advise the government on architecture, bridges, painting, parks, sculpture, and other artistic works requiring design. Roosevelt wrote back the same day, agreeing to the proposal.<ref>Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 2.</ref> On January 19, 1909, Roosevelt issued [[Executive order|Executive Order]] 1010, establishing a Council of Fine Arts. He requested that the AIA name 30 individuals to the council, and he instructed the [[Cabinet of the United States|Cabinet]] to seek the council's advice in matters of architecture, building site selection, landscaping, painting, and sculpture.<ref>Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 2-3.</ref> The Council met only once, on February 9, 1909,<ref>{{cite web|last=Kohler|first=Sue|date=March 20, 2009|title=The Commission of Fine Arts: Implementing the Senate Park Commission's Vision|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/ncr/designing-capital/sec6.html|website=Designing the Nation's Capital: The 1901 Plan for Washington, D.C.|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref>Charles Moore, CFA chairman from 1912 to 1915, puts the date of the meeting at February 10, 1909, but the ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' reported on February 10, 1909, that the council had met the previous day.. See: [https://books.google.com/books?id=vWgAAAAAYAAJ&dq=Taft+revoked+Executive+Order+Council+of+Fine+Arts&pg=PA120 Moore, p. 120], accessed 2012-10-13; "Arts Council Meets." ''Washington Post.'' February 10, 1909.</ref> during which it approved the site (suggested by the McMillan Commission) for the [[Lincoln Memorial]].<ref>Partridge and Helrich, p. 313.</ref>
On January 11, 1909, a committee of the [[American Institute of Architects]] (AIA) asked President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] to establish an independent federal agency to advise the government on architecture, bridges, painting, parks, sculpture, and other artistic works requiring design. Roosevelt wrote back the same day, agreeing to the proposal.<ref>Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 2.</ref> On January 19, 1909, Roosevelt issued [[Executive order|Executive Order]] 1010, establishing a Council of Fine Arts. He requested that the AIA name 30 individuals to the council, and he instructed the [[Cabinet of the United States|Cabinet]] to seek the council's advice in matters of architecture, building site selection, landscaping, painting, and sculpture.<ref>Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 2-3.</ref> The Council met only once, on February 9, 1909,<ref>{{cite web|last=Kohler|first=Sue|date=March 20, 2009|title=The Commission of Fine Arts: Implementing the Senate Park Commission's Vision|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/ncr/designing-capital/sec6.html|website=Designing the Nation's Capital: The 1901 Plan for Washington, D.C.|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref>Charles Moore, CFA chairman from 1912 to 1915, puts the date of the meeting at February 10, 1909, but the ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' reported on February 10, 1909, that the council had met the previous day.. See: [https://books.google.com/books?id=vWgAAAAAYAAJ&dq=Taft+revoked+Executive+Order+Council+of+Fine+Arts&pg=PA120 Moore, p. 120], accessed 2012-10-13; "Arts Council Meets." ''Washington Post.'' February 10, 1909.</ref> during which it approved the site (suggested by the McMillan Commission) for the [[Lincoln Memorial]].<ref>Partridge and Helrich, p. 313.</ref>
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[[William Howard Taft]] was inaugurated as president in March 1909. Taft revoked Executive Order 1010 on May 21, 1909.<ref>[[s:Executive Order 1074|"Revoking Executive Order of January 19, 1909, Which Appointed the Council of Fine Arts." Executive Order 1074.]] William Howard Taft. May 21, 1909.</ref><ref name="Partridge311">Partridge and Helrich, p. 311.</ref><ref name="Kohler3">Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 3.</ref> There are differing explanations for Taft's actions. Historians Sue Kohler and Christopher Thomas state that Taft supported the idea of a fine arts commission, but wanted it to have a basis in legislation.<ref name="Kohler3" /><ref name="Thomas">Thomas, p. 36.</ref> But a contemporary report in the ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' noted that the council was highly controversial, and Congress had passed legislation prohibiting the expenditure of funds for any federal body not established by law. The newspaper said the legislation was intended to defund the Council of Fine Arts.<ref>"Art Council No More." ''Washington Post.'' May 27, 1909.</ref>
[[William Howard Taft]] was inaugurated as president in March 1909. Taft revoked Executive Order 1010 on May 21, 1909.<ref>[[s:Executive Order 1074|"Revoking Executive Order of January 19, 1909, Which Appointed the Council of Fine Arts." Executive Order 1074.]] William Howard Taft. May 21, 1909.</ref><ref name="Partridge311">Partridge and Helrich, p. 311.</ref><ref name="Kohler3">Kohler, ''The Commission of Fine Arts: A Brief History, 1910–1995'', p. 3.</ref> There are differing explanations for Taft's actions. Historians Sue Kohler and Christopher Thomas state that Taft supported the idea of a fine arts commission, but wanted it to have a basis in legislation.<ref name="Kohler3" /><ref name="Thomas">Thomas, p. 36.</ref> But a contemporary report in the ''[[The Washington Post|Washington Post]]'' noted that the council was highly controversial, and Congress had passed legislation prohibiting the expenditure of funds for any federal body not established by law. The newspaper said the legislation was intended to defund the Council of Fine Arts.<ref>"Art Council No More." ''Washington Post.'' May 27, 1909.</ref>


Later in 1909, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Elihu Root]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[New York (state)|NY]]) drafted legislation establishing an advisory commission of fine arts.<ref name="Partridge311" /> [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Samuel W. McCall]] (R-[[Massachusetts|MA]]) introduced the bill, H.R. 19962, into the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref name="SerialSet">[https://books.google.com/books?id=GmE3AQAAIAAJ&dq=Samuel+McCall+fine+arts+commission+H.R.&pg=PA251 "Commission of Fine Arts." p. 251-253.] Accessed 2012-10-13.</ref> The House passed the legislation on February 9, 1910. The House bill made the members of the commission subject to approval by the Senate, gave their term of office as four years, and their qualifications as artists "of repute". In addition to having an advisory capacity on all questions of art and design, the commission was given final say on the selection of sites for monuments and statues.<ref>"Art Board for District." ''Washington Post.'' February 10, 1910.</ref> Root managed the House bill through the Senate. [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]] [[Joseph Gurney Cannon]] opposed the bill, and it was bottled up the [[United States Congress Joint Committee on the Library|Committee on the Library]]. But in mid-March, a group of renegade [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] joined forces with Democrats to strip Speaker Cannon of much of his power. The fine arts commission bill quickly passed through the committee and was brought up for a vote on the Senate floor.<ref name="Thomas" />
Later in 1909, [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Elihu Root]] (R-[[New York (state)|NY]]) drafted legislation establishing an advisory commission of fine arts.<ref name="Partridge311" /> [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Samuel W. McCall]] (R-[[Massachusetts|MA]]) introduced the bill, H.R. 19962, into the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref name="SerialSet">[https://books.google.com/books?id=GmE3AQAAIAAJ&dq=Samuel+McCall+fine+arts+commission+H.R.&pg=PA251 "Commission of Fine Arts." p. 251-253.] Accessed 2012-10-13.</ref> The House passed the legislation on February 9, 1910. The House bill made the members of the commission subject to approval by the Senate, gave their term of office as four years, and their qualifications as artists "of repute". In addition to having an advisory capacity on all questions of art and design, the commission was given final say on the selection of sites for monuments and statues.<ref>"Art Board for District." ''Washington Post.'' February 10, 1910.</ref> Root managed the House bill through the Senate. [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker]] [[Joseph Gurney Cannon]] opposed the bill, and it was bottled up the [[United States Congress Joint Committee on the Library|Committee on the Library]]. But in mid-March, a group of renegade [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] joined forces with Democrats to strip Speaker Cannon of much of his power. The fine arts commission bill quickly passed through the committee and was brought up for a vote on the Senate floor.<ref name="Thomas" />


The Senate amended the bill, and passed it on May 3, 1910. One amendment, to bar statues of any person not dead 50 years, was turned down.<ref>"Senators As Art Critics." ''Washington Post.'' May 4, 1910.</ref> The Senate changed the qualifications of the commissioners to seven "well qualified judges of the fine arts". It struck the commission's authority to site monuments and statues, making the authority advisory only. It also added fountains to the type of items covered by the act.<ref name="SerialSet" /> In a [[United States congressional conference committee|conference committee]] on May 9, the House conferees agreed to the Senate amendments. They also won approval of the Senate conferees to remove the requirement that the commission members be approved by the Senate. Clarifying language was also added to the bill, permitting the commission to advise (upon request) on the U.S. Capitol and [[Library of Congress]] buildings.<ref name="SerialSet" /> H.R. 19962, as amended, was passed by the House on May 12, and the Senate on May 17.<ref>American Federation of Arts, p. 97; [https://books.google.com/books?id=W3vQmfZEUZ8C&dq=May+17+commission+on+fine+arts+passed+senate&pg=PA56 Joint Committee on the Library, p. 56.] Accessed 2012-10-13.</ref> Taft signed the legislation Public Law 61-181 (40 U.S.C. 104, 36 Stat. 371), shortly thereafter.
The Senate amended the bill, and passed it on May 3, 1910. One amendment, to bar statues of any person not dead 50 years, was turned down.<ref>"Senators As Art Critics." ''Washington Post.'' May 4, 1910.</ref> The Senate changed the qualifications of the commissioners to seven "well qualified judges of the fine arts". It struck the commission's authority to site monuments and statues, making the authority advisory only. It also added fountains to the type of items covered by the act.<ref name="SerialSet" /> In a [[United States congressional conference committee|conference committee]] on May 9, the House conferees agreed to the Senate amendments. They also won approval of the Senate conferees to remove the requirement that the commission members be approved by the Senate. Clarifying language was also added to the bill, permitting the commission to advise (upon request) on the U.S. Capitol and [[Library of Congress]] buildings.<ref name="SerialSet" /> H.R. 19962, as amended, was passed by the House on May 12, and the Senate on May 17.<ref>American Federation of Arts, p. 97; [https://books.google.com/books?id=W3vQmfZEUZ8C&dq=May+17+commission+on+fine+arts+passed+senate&pg=PA56 Joint Committee on the Library, p. 56.] Accessed 2012-10-13.</ref> Taft signed the legislation Public Law 61-181 (40 U.S.C. 104, 36 Stat. 371), shortly thereafter.
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