Lewis Was the Commission

Two other recommendations made by Appleman and Peterson fared badly. The first was a proposed extension to the east side of Second Street, which the commission vetoed because the then-current city plan called for widening the street as a major artery. In a more important vote, the commission rejected the suggestion that the federal government acquire the block north of Independence Hall. Lewis was afraid that such a move might jeopardize the state's project for the mall. As usual, the commission followed the judge's lead. As Appleman had said, Lewis was the commission. At times he had been the only member of the commission present at its meetings. It was Lewis who had conferred continuously with Simon, McCosker, Appleman, and Peterson on the content of the report. He would prepare the text of its most important section, the recommendations.

The commission duly submitted its report to Congress on December 29, 1948. Copiously illustrated, it filled seven fat volumes. Most of the bulk consisted of McCosker's "historic appendage," which described buildings and sites within the proposed park and its vicinity and events associated with them. Modern photographs and historical views accompanied each description. Carl Van Doren provided a graceful preface. The heart of the report, however, comprised the commission's recommendations for property acquisition (with cost estimates), expressions of support from the city of Philadelphia, and the draft of a proposed bill establishing the park.