Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-16
UNIQUE CONCEPTION.
The Idea Worked Out in Sherman I'm
yelling.

The method of unwilling the Sherman
statue yesterday has caused more than
usual comment. and has been generally
praised and commended by all who saw it.
Ii is probable that few Of the spectators
thoroughly understand the idea this par
ticular portion of the ceremonies was to
convey. however. The work of arranging
for the unveiling was under the direction
of Col. Thomas W. Symons and the details
were worked out by Mr.. Fred. ID. owen.
engineer and architect in Colonel Symons
office. The conception of the unveil:ng in
volved a scheme which would show or re-
sembe the opaning of a book of history 50
that when the clasp which held the covers
was released the leaves would be opened
by the breezes and disclose the subject of
the book. as it We're. standing out promi-
nently against the background. To further
carry out the sentiment. the leaves of the
book to remain open for a few mo-
ments and then be drawn away from the
figure just as published accounts of the
hero would fall out of sight. and yet the
hero himself, as represented by the fame
and glory of his achievements, would
main "A tradition. long after the writings of
his work shall have faded by time.
This was the inception of the idea OF the
unvciling. In looking about for a means 10
execute the idea Mr.. Owen naturally turn
ed to the national ensign and decided TO
the dimensions of the statue and found that
only the large garrison flags. twenty feet
hoist with thirty-six feet fly, would answer
the purpose He secured two of these flags
and fastened them to long strips of Stin
boa I'd These strips We're suspended from a
horizontal wire cable running directly over
the top of the center of the statue and Sc
cured at the backs OF the east and west
stands to tail poles. The flags We're closed
at the front and rear by means OF a lacing
made of strong cord and run through brass
eyelets which had been secured to the edge
of the fiag. Al the proper time the end or
the lacing WAS seized by Master William
Tecunseh Sherman Thorndyke and drawn
from the eyelets. the flags falling apart
naturally and opening out as the cover OF
the book the edges of the flags in the rear
of the statue remaining laced. The cor
ners were pulled open by means of cables
Alta hed to the ends of the top Of the flags
While the band was playing The Star
Soangled Banner and the artillery was
firing the salute. the flag remained last IN
the rear OF the statue. forming q stage set
ting of the red white and blue colorS tor
the dull bronze figure of the statue. When
the music was concluded and the last gun
was fired a signal was given, the lacing at
the back of the statue was removed, and by
means of the cables before mentioned the
two flags were dra wn clear of the statue
and to the rear of the east and west stands
where they hoated throughout the cere-
mony over the right and left hanks OF the
army rs II were.
In leaving his stand at the conclusion of
The ceremonies yesterday afternoon Presi-
dent Roosevelt took occasion to personally
congratulate Mr.. Owen on the beauty of the
picture presented at the unveilinG and of
the arrangements for the reception and
caatincr of the guests generally.