Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-05
THE ROSS MEMORIAL
MRS HoXIE OFFERS TO MODEL
AND CAST A BUST.
Proposition Which Simplifies Situa-
butte to Late Commissioner.

One of the most gratifying incidents con-
nected with the proposed erection of me-
mortal to the late Commissioner John W.
Ross in connection with the new District
building was the receipt today by Commits
si0Her Macfarland of a letter from Mrs R.
l.. HOxie. offering to model and cast q
bronze bust of the Commissioner as her
contribution TO the movement. Mrs. Hoxie
IS the wife of Major r. l.. HoXie of the
Engineer Corps of the army, to whom the
credit for the success of the Washington
aqueduct, or Hoxie tunnel, is mainly due
and is now in ST. Paul, Mimi, where her
husband is stationed
Mrs. HoXie Is a sculptress of note, She
designed and executed the statue of Admiral
FarraSut in Farragut Square, and has done
much additional prominent work Mrs.
HoXfe knew Mr.. Ross as Commissioner and
admired him a public officer She ex-
pressed in her letter today her deep regret
at his death. and said she would be glad to
lend her services to make the memorial to
him a success
commissioner Mcfarland turned the let
ter over to the committee of District en-
pioyes having the memorial In charge The
committeeman are delighted with Mrs
HoX1e's offer, and the matter viii be
olOuSHl 10 the attention of the District Off
Gals at an early meeting. The offer of
MRS. HoXie supplies the situation in conneC-
ton with the memorial to a great extent
ana seems to assure unqualified success. no
matter what character the tribute shall
take-be 1t a bust. an interior statue, or
otherwise 1t is believed that either bust
or a statue to be placed in the corridor of
the new building will be decided upon and
II Mrs HoN1e' S very generous offer be ac-
copied the cost will be confined to the plr-
chase of the necessary bronze and the me-
cnanIcaI work attached to the casting and
placing of the memorial.
Meeting of District Employees.
The officials and Clerks of the District
government met yesterday afternoon in
the board room of the District building to
discuss the character of the memorial
which it is intended shall be erected to the
memory of the late Commissioner. Mr.
H II. Darneille. the assessor presided
ana Mr. Francis Nye of the board of
personal tax appraisers acted as secre-
tary. Mr.. Nye stated that the resolutions
heretofore passed by the District employees
had been engrossed and presented to Mr.
Ross family
Mr.. Nye stated further that the commit
tee on design appointed at the former meet
ing of the employees had carefully consid-
cred the matter and had come to the con-
cIGslon that a bronze statue resting Tpon
a granite pedestal and placed in the tri-
angular park in front of the new District
building site would be the most suitable
memorial He said however that there
had been some opposition to the statue lC-
Gated as proposed, and so the committee is
willing now to recommend either a bronze
statue to be placed in a niche in the main
corridor OF the new building. or q bronze
bust, supplemented by tablet. He said
he believed the cost of the statue to be
placed inside the building would be about
400, While the bust and tablet could prob
ably be procured for 81,
Regarded as Too Low.
Several of those present believed these
estimates 10 be entirely too low. 1t was
argued that the very best sculptor should
be engaged to do the work in order that
the memorial should be in keeping with
the character of Mr. Ross and the new
home Of She District government. 1t WAS
further stated that it is the desire of the
District employees that all contributions 10
tie memorial fund shall be purely volur-
tary. tire will be fixed within which
contributions can be made. and it was de-
clded that when these subscriptions are in
the committee shall go ahead and secure
a memorial. Mr.. Z. G.. Davis collector of
taxes, has been named as treasurer Of the
fund. AID " ale the memorial has been u.-
dertaken by the District employees any of
Mr.. Ross friends who desire to have a
part in The tribute to his memory may
contribute. Many Of the subscriptions have
already been received.
A letter was read from Major Richard
Sylvester, who expressed regret at not be
ing able to bc present. He volunteered his
assistance in the movement to provide an
appropriate m mortal to Mr.. Ross. He
suggested. however that an association lie
formed 10 he known as the Ross Memorial
Association, and not the Ross Monument
Association, and that a suitable certificate,
containing, possibly, the beautifully en-
crossed resolution heretofore mentioned. be
provided to be given to every person who
contributed toward the object. A resoiu-
ton TO the effect that such souvenirs be
provided was offered and passed.
1t is prot able committee of art patrons
viii be invited to pass upon designs when
the work has further progressed.
S1.25 to Baltimore and Return via B.