The Washington times., 1901-12-04
FOR A CONTINENTAL HALL.
Daughters of American Revolution
Discuss Plans for Building.

! A largely attended meeting of the board
Of management OF the National Society Of
the Daughters OF the American Revolu-
ton was held on Monday night at the
residence OF Mrs. Fairbanks, the Presi-
dent General of the society 1900 Massa-
chusetts Avenue northwest.
| The purpose of the meeting was TO map
out plan OF action to be pursued at the
annual convention of the society next
February. More time was devoted to the
| discussion of the project OF a continen-
tai hall building. however. than to any
other matter. The question of the erec-
tion OF suitable permanent home for
the society has been agitated for a num-
Der OF years
The committee which has charge of
the matter, acting in obedience to a reso-
| luton of the last Continental Congress of
the Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion, sent out appeals TO every chapter
in the organization making 50 per capita
the basis for individual contribution
Many chapters and most of the States
have given their quota, and the result
of the work is that nearly S55, 900 is now
in the hands of the Daughters of the
American Revolution as a fund for the
erection OF a continental hall building
There seems to be enough money on
hand to at least begin the work, and it
is hoped by the board that the plan
which was agreed upon at last Mondays
meeting to raise sufficient funds TO COM
pletely erect and furnish the building
50 it Will be free of debt when it is fin
ished will meet the appreciation of the
next congress.
The question of securing a suitable site
has been more or less troublesome to
the board. Two years ago committee
was named to frame a bill to be PIE
sented to Congress. asking that the Gov
ernment set aside for the permanent use
of the Daughters Of the American Reyo-
luton, reservation 10, whereon should be
erected the proposed memorial building.
This plot of ground, known as Rawlins
Square, and owned by the United States,
Is bounded by New York Avenue Eigh-
teenth, Nineteenth and Z Streets north
west.
A committee consisting of the late Mrs.
William p. Frye. of Maine, and Mrs
Manning, then president general of the
society, appeared before the House Com
mittee on Public Grounds In the interest
of the bill, and also before the Commits
sioners Of the District. The matter in
some way was never seen through. and as
far as can be learned from the mem
bers of the board the Daughters do not
intend to press the matter before Con-
gress any further. but will rely on their
own resources in providing a suitable
plot of ground for the hall. They are
afraid that Congress would offer them
site in a part of the city which would
not be convenient to access and would
not be situated in that part of the town
where the society would wish to perma-
nently locate.
Inasmuch as the Investment in the new
building will be heavy. the Daughters in
tend to make the venture a profitable
one. and are therefore cautious in ac-
cepting any offer for the purpose. There
have been received by the committee
quite a number of offers of ground but
il is understood that no final selection
has yet been made. The matter fs-being
rapidly pushed to a final result. how
ever, under the able advice and manage
ment of Mrs. Fairbanks, President Cen
eral of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, who Is taking a very lively
interest in the project, and who has made
the completion of the project her main
ambition as the head of the society.
Mrs. Fairbanks said last night that the
question of the site is under considera-
tion. but that the final selection had not
yet been made.