Letter from Charles Moore to Edward Bennett regarding the correction proofs of Chapters, I, IV, and VI for the Plan of Chicago

At the outset of the year in which the Plan is to be presented, Moore is in Detroit and writing to Bennett, who has been ill. Moore reports a letter from one of the committee members, Charles H. Thorne (Thornes were Montgomery Ward relations and partners; later Ward would oppose Burnham's proposed buildings in Grant Park, on the lake front); the letter's wehereabouts is not known. Though dismayed, Moore says that for Burnham's sake he will take a diplomatic tone in his reply. But if the Plan is the work of a committee it will be a disaster.

Of course, Bennett later had to recast the entire concept of Grant Park after Ward brought suit to prevent the construction of the three great museums in the park. So this letter from Moore at the outset of the momentous year 1909 appears to give an inkling of the task before Bennett in the 1910s: to recast the idea of Grant Park as a classic garden space to be seen from the wall of buildings on the east side of Michigan Avenue.

Since the letter contained frank opinions shared among colleagues and made an unflattering reference to a member of a prominent Chicago (and Lake Forest) family, etc., very likely Bennett in 1953 when he transferred material to the AIC library and archives would have found this item still too sensitive to release just a little over four decades after the Plan's publication.

Moore, Charles, 1855-1942

Marcia O. and Edward H. Bennett III Collection

1909-01-04

Marcia O. and Edward H. Bennett III Collection (Lake Forest College)

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eng

Text

lfspbennett00101-1.tif, lfspbennett00101-2.tif

UNIVERSITY CLUB.
DETROIT.

Jan 24, 1909

Dear Mr Bennett, I am mailing to Mr. Donnelley the correction proofs of Chapter I, IV and VI. These are the last proofs, save that there may be additions to VI: I have written repeatedly for a full set of proofs but cannot get these -- so far.

Also I have written to Mr. Gilder [Richard Watson Gilder, editor of Century Magazine; died November 1909] about a Century article, as Mr. Norton wished. I had a letter from Mr. [Charles H.] Thorne which made me very hot. When I cool down I’ll answer it. It is quite evident that both he and Mr. Burnham cannot prepare the plans and expectations. However I shall remember that “a cool answer turneth away wrath but, grievous words stir up anger,” and for Mr. Burnham’s sake will not get into a row.

I’m sorry not to be in Chicago wiser (?) now but, I cannot and, moreover, it seems to me that to get out such a book by committee can only result in disaster.

Tomorrow I am beginning once more on chapter VIII and will let you know progress. I do want those proofs. Sorry you were under the weather but, judge you are all the right again now.

Sincerely,

Charles Moore

pen and ink

1 leaf : 27.6 x 17.3 cm (10 7/8 x 67/8 in)