Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-17
Mr.. CANNON'S VIEWS
EXPRESSES HtHsELF REGARD.
ING THE PARK COMMISSION.
Appropriation fey Plans for q. Lincoln
Memorial Was Under
Discussion.

Representative Cannon, chairman of the
| House committee on appropriations, took
occasion yesterday afternoon to speak his
| mind with reference to the plans of the
park commission. sThe speech was made
| in the House during the discussion which
/ preceded the passage of bill appropriating
$4,000 with which to procure plans for a
| suitable memorial monument to Abraham
Lincoln. Mr.. Cannon had no objection to
the Lincoln memorial but he wanted to
| protest In advance against it's being erected
| in proximity to the proposed Memorial
| bridge
| MIR. McCleary, chairman of the committee
| on library, was in charge of the bill, and it
| was to him that Mr.. Cannon addressed his
| questions on the matter
| Has the gentleman any matter in his
! mind to where this monument or me-
| moral is to be Iocated?" began Mr.. Can
non.
Nothing further than that it is to be
located in the city of Washington replied
| Mr. McCleary.
Mr. Cannon 1.-THE reason l ask is that In
! common with every other member of this
| House, I believe. | am in entire harmony
| with the erection of a memorial, in the city
! OF Washington. to perpetuate the name and
| life of Abraham Lincoln, and I hope and
| belleVe that this memorial, when erected
| VIII be proper one. The sum of $25,oo0 is
| appropriated merely for plans | Judge
| from that that it is to be a proper monu-
mcnt. That amount expended in archi-
| tects fees in the erection of a building
Would indicate total expenditure of half
| a million dollars. Now, / am not going to
! talk about the expenditure | am satisfied
| 1t viii be what it should be, considering all
| the circumstances and the character of that
| man.
| The Park Commission.
But l am a little DESTROYS to ask my
friend question or two. We have had
/ Lot oil lat Of No
as the parking commission. The Senate of
| the United States begot upon itself COM
| mission and has devoted from it's contln-
gent fund the sum of SO, 900 to enable this
| commission to fructify, and over here in the
| Library of Congress, without any authority
! OF law, a cuckoos egg. occupying one great
| side of the library, are models which show
| the work of this self-begotten child. How
| long these models are to stay there | do not
| Know. Shown upon that model are splendid
| avenues, memorial bridges, and great
| many other things. And, If I am not mis-
| taken, down near the old naval observatory
| is a place reserved for a memorial to Abra-
| ham Lincoln. Am l correct?'
| Mr. McCleary: II am not prepared to say
that the gentleman is not correct, because
| that has nothing to do with this case"
! Mr.. Cannon: We'll yes and no. Let us
| see whether 1t has not. | am not going
! oy my action without at least word of in
| qulry, to have the patriotic sentiment that
| abounds in S00no,C00 of people used to put
| a monument where it ought not to be Now,
II | supposed that this memorial was to be
nuliaed down near the old naval observa-
| tory and used to make an argument in IA
| Eor OF building memorial bridge and that
| the memorial was to stand there through
all time, right upon the bank of that RIVER
| ana c'ose to the flats. where the monument
| itself would take fever and aeue let sInna
| a living man, l should object II this so5-
rco IS to be expended for plans and the
"hoie thlng Is to, be worked out in con-
cit Af
! should try to see if We could not annIv
some remedy. f. on the contrary. it is to
| work out plans that will fit a proper loea-
ton, why. then L am entirely content. and
Tor that reason L have asked my friend
these questions u
Suitable Location Demanded.
II notice that the Secretary of War the
Secretary of State, the chairmen of the
| library committees of the House and of the
! Senate make up the commission. / am with
| my friend for a memorial. I am against
| anything-and L want to set this back fire
| roW-l am against anything that will work
! out anybody's plans anybody's schemes
| that Will not place that memorial where all
| the people VIII and must it when they
| come to Washington. Why. we used to hav
| a statue erected a memorial of Adillta nt
| General RaWlins down a little bit south
| west OF the War, State and Navy bu ldins
| 1t stood there, lonesome and silent exeent
| as the occasional expiorer-one in ten thou-
! sand-Would inquire about it and hunt If
up. until finally Congress directed that it be
| moved UP to Sth or 9th street and Penn
| syiVanla avenue, 50 it would not be lone
| some
! Now. that is about all I wish TO saw
| about It, | wanted to say this much, with
| out offending the feelings of anvbodv and
| IN view or this scheme, in view of the
plrtn OF this unnatural child, born not in
| lawtui legislative wedlock. l wanted to saw
| that much by way of protest against the
action on the part of this comm: ssion in
| failing to do its duty and giving US the
| location and its mendatfon that ouebt
! to be had" (AppIausc)
| After some further discussion the bin
| was passed.