European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 23, 1959, Darmstadt, Hesse                                R l �. A a of eff pm of a a / i Meinu merits in the French capital Are a ways met with storms of criticism but Gen tally the citizens cherish even the ugly ones parisians were highly indignant afew years ago when a plan was presented that might have helped Lessen the City s Ever increasing traffic problem. Why not someone suggested build elevated freeways through Paris they could be tastefully designed in Concrete that would enhance the City it was said but opposition to the plan was so Genera that it was dropped. But in 10 or 15 years it s conceivable that Paris May have Sucha freeway system and parisians will not Only accept it but learn to love  have already accepted the trans formation of the much pictured Stone quays along the Seine into traffic through ways but Only after trying their darn Desoto Block the project when it was first planned. But sentiment bowed to Progress an necessity. Parisians have objected to every innovation in their beloved capital. It took i contests before architects finally submitted plans for the Paris opera that were suit Able to a majority and the Man who had come out on the Bottom of a preceding contest submitted the Jii Nal winning entry. The Point is that it does t really Matte what kind of a Structure goes up in Paris it eventually fits into the scene becomes landmark and parisians Are proud of it even though they May think it is monstrosity. The Eiffel Tower is an example. Most frenchmen agree that it is not a work fart but it has become so much of a Symbol of Paris that a serious proposal to tear it Down could Lead to Public uprisings. And it was t even intended As a Perma nent Structure in the first  was built As a dominating feature of the Universal exhibition of 1889, a Man made Tower rising to the then almost impossible Altitude of 984 feet. The Tower was the winning design of Gustav Eiffel a French Engineer and Bridge builder regarded As the leading figure of 19th Cen Tury French Industrial Progress. Even the severest present Day critics of the Tower would feel Kindlien toward it if they looked up some of the 700 proposals that did t get  contestant offered to build a Tower of the Sun out of masonry. Another submitted a plan for a Tower 1,179 feet tall atop which he planned to put a 20-million-candlepower Light. This he thought with parisians will Tell you the Sacre Coeur Church is an architectural horror but they would t think of changing it. The Aid of parabolic mirrors would  All Paris. Still another plan called for sanatoriums on various Levels of the Tower where invalids might conv Alesce in pure air that one otherwise can Only encounter in the  the Tower was no sooner finished than petitions began circulating for the removal of this disgrace to Paris that not even commercialized America would  for 45 years the Tower looked Dow across the Seine on another temporary Structure that made aesthetes groan theold palais do Tro Callero a huge sprawl ing Structure of pseudo Oriental style that had been built for the French exhibition of 1878. Unlike the Tower parisians did object much when it was decided to tear it Down in 1934 and replace it with building of modern design for the exhibition of 1937. The newcomer was the clean lined palais de Chaillot which houses several museums and a 3,000-seat Thea Terin its curving wings and has a sculpture bordered Esplanade and gardens facing the Tower across the River. T uncontroversial As it was the a Chaillot escaped fault finding until 1952, when temporary buildings to House the in general Assembly were  it covering the fountains and blocking the View. Later these were occupied by the North Atlantic treaty organization and the lean tos now weather beaten still stand. Happily they will soon come Down since nato is soon to move into its own new building on the Edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Another Paris  weathered storms of artistic criticism to become a Symbol of the City of Light is the Church of Sacre Coeur perched atop the Hill of Montmartre. The White Marble roman esque byzantine Basilica can find few de fenders As a work of architectural Beauty but parisians have come to love it As a Mother might love her holiest daughter More than any other Structure the Arch of Triumph at the top of the champs Elysee symbolizes French glory. It is also a Monument to the Good taste of those who approved its design Over some fantastic proposals put Forth when Napoleon thought that some sort of National shrine should be built on what was then the highest Hill in Paris in those Days Mont by Don Walter staff writer Martre was Way out in the country. A commission played with the idea forbears searching for the right design. An architect named Reibart Drew up plans fora Gigantic Stone elephant which would have museum space inside. He even suggested that the elephant s trunk be made in the form of a Fountain gushing water to irrigate the gardens that then flourished in the champs Elysee Quarter. Tiie really serious business of building an Arch began in 1805 when Napoleon organized a contest among architects to create something that would Honor his victorious armies. Jean Francois Chagrin won this Competition. He had gone to Rome for inspiration returned with a plan for a classic Arch that struck the emperor s fancy. Debates on buildings Best suited for Paris no doubt will continue. Two years ago when the new palais de la defense the great 15-acre-Square exhibition Hall began to go up All sorts of protests were voiced against its Avant Garde proportions. It looks like a mushroom or an umbrella depending upon the Angle from which it is seen. Its huge triangular roof rests on three Points no larger than saucers. But parisians will get used to it. The new Enesco building was unlike and unwanted because it did t conform with other structures in the Champ de Mars Quarter. Now parisians Are beginning to take to it especially since it has won acclaim for its originality abroad. Currently under scrutiny is Paris first real skyscraper a 23-Story apartment House near the Porte d Lutalie. As it is far removed from the heart of Paris most parisians Are willing to wait and see Howit will turn out. The new radio House which will consolidate All facilities of the French radio and television networks also causes raised eyebrows. It covers the equivalent of two blocks is circular in form with a tall Tower in the shape Ofa Domino sitting on top. Only the steel framework is up but. Many people Don Tsee How this will fit Paris personality. Radio House skyscraper Enesco Palace Paris eventually will love them All. Like the Eiffel Tower they will have to Gath rough the test. One Day Paris will accept them and people will laugh As they rummage through old files to find draw Ings and plans of the buildings that might have been. This was once proposed As a French Echo nil shrine the design of the new palais de la defense exhibition Hall was a Shock to lovers of the classical style but it is beginning to be accepted. C0dero, the stars Ano swipes palais de Chillot left replaced the Garish old troc sunday August 23, 1959 Paris likes the new Enesco building better since it has won International acclaim for. Its architectural originality. The stars and is Pago it