Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-11
LAFAYETTE'S STATUE
Washington May Get Replica Of the
Paris Monument.
DECISION OF MEMORIAL COMMISSION
Final Action by Congress Neces-
sary'
SCHOOL CHILDREN'S GIFT

According to Chicago dispatch, at a
meeting of the Lafayette memorial COM
mission in that city it was decided that
Washington is to get the American replica
of the Lafayette monument to be erected
in Paris with the contributions of American
school children.
From the reports of the officers Of the
commission it was found that after meet
ing the expenses of the Paris monument
there was large surplus in the fund. and
the monument in Washington was suggest
ed a most appropriate use of this sur
plus.
1t will be in marble and bronze, just ike
the Paris production, and in every detail
the equestrian figure will be facsimile.
The work will be executed by the same
sculptor.
Matter Rests With Congress.
Senators and representatives who have
noticed the recent action of the Lafayette
commission in Chicago regard the decision
relative to the location, of the replica as
merely in the form of a recommendation.
II is said here that it is within the power of
Congress alone to say what shall be done
with the surplus of 5000. and that Con-
Eress may cover that money in the treas
Try or authorize its expenditure for secur-
believed that no place except this city
would be considered by Congress as a site
for the replica.
Senator Allison, member of the Lafay-
cite statue commission, which decided to
place the replica in this city, takes the
view that that action is in the nature of a
recommendation only. He not able to
attend the meeting of the association at
which this action was taken. Mr.. Allison
when seen by a Star reporter TODAY did
not think 1t likely that Congress would con-
s4der. during the present session. the dis
position of the surplus proposed to be ex-
pended for a replica of the statue of the
great Frenchman, but thought that this
city would be the place Congress would
naturally select for it. No action has yet
been begun in Congress regarding this
matter.
Congregational Action Necessary.
Colonel Bingham, the engineer officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds.
said this morning that the matter of erect
Ing in this city a replica of the Lafayette
monument had not yet been brought to his
attention. and he was busy with other
matters that he had not been able to give
much consideration to the reported action
OF the Lafayette memorial commission at
Its meeting in Chicago in directing the erec-
ton or the replica in Washington. He was
however entirely without authority in the
matter. and said ii would take an act of
Congress to carry the plan into execution
Ihere IL already a statue Of Lafayette in
this city, but that was no reason he said
why the replica of the Paris monument
should not be given a prominent place in
one of our numerous parks There were h.,
said. many eligible sites for the replica
ana there would be no difficulty in its To-
cation provided the necessary authority is
obtained from Congress. which body alone
mas jurisdiction in the matter. One of the
small triangles along prominent thorour;,
fare would probably be the most suitable
site Tor the structure. Colonel Bingham
said. but that was matter that could he
easily arranged after Congress has acted
He said he did not care to r:IrntiOn any
particular reservation at this time as the
matter was one that would have 10 be
taken up and carefully studied before final
action. >
me Lafayette Monument Movement
Two years ago the plan of having a La
fayette monument built for erection in
Paris by American subscription was frat
talked Of. Robert J. Thompson of Chicap,
is the author of the project The LAFAYETTE
memorial commission formed for this
purpose September !, 1898, by the United
States commissioner general to the Paris
exposition, Ferdinand w. Peck who ap-
pointed the following members and officers:
VIM X Day. VIM. b. Allison Rev Ed
ward Everett Hale, Dr. w T Harris
Archbishop Ireland, John w. Mackey. Mel
Vile l.. Stone, Frank Thomson Charles
Collier; honorary president. Ferdinand W.
exposition; vice president, Alexander III. Re
veil; treasurer. Charles G. Dawes: secre
tary, Robert J. Thompson. Frank Thomp-
son died in June, 1899. and was replaced
by Edwin A. Potter. who later succeeded
MI Dawes as treasurer of the commission
Immediately after organization action was
begun looking to the enlistment of the pu-
pils or the schools of the United States in
Guiding Alaska and Hawaii, in support of
the monument project. The movement was
commended by President Mckinley in a
public letter addressed to Vice President
heNell OF the commission Six weeks after
me organization of the commission bet ween
sWoOoo and 5,O00.0o0 of school children
contributed their pennies to the amount of
s4a, $3.50, thus giving a splendid beginning
10 the fund. In the meantime negotiations
were being carried on with the French au-
tnorities referring to the acceptance of the
monument and site to be awarded 1t In
me city of Paris. These negotiations were
most friendly throughout and ended most
happily- The choicest site In Paris, the
court or the Louvre, was offered to the
commission, and the monument itself ac-