The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-12
SITEOF HARRISON STATUE
FEDERAL SQUARE AND UNIVERSITY
PARK SUGGESTED BY MANY.
Talk with Mr.. John ID. Elan on Plans
of the Memorial CommissiOn-
Wealth OF Ideas.

The subcommittee OF the Harrison Monu-
ment Commission will meet soon TO decide
what kind OF memorial shall be erected to
Benjamin Harrison and where 1t shall be
located. John B. Elan is chairman of the
subcommittee. and the members are John
w. Kern, Harry j. Millgan, Mortimer
lowering and Charles w. Smith. The de-
tails have been left entirely to this subcom-
mittee.
The memorial TO General Harrison will
be either a statue of heroic size or a tall
shaft with an emblematic figure surmount-
ing IL. II will be located. in all probability
in one OF three places, the Federal square,
University Park or the Statehouse grounds.
The members OF the subcommittee are
about divided as TO the style of the me-
mortal and also as to where 1t shall be
placed.
There Is certainly no lack OF sugges-
tions." said John B. Elan yesterday after
noon. "It has been decided that either a
shaft or a heroic statue shall be executed
In memory OF President Harrison. but as
TO which will be chosen l cannot say at
this time. recall two very imposing shafts
in memory of great men that are pleasing
and entirely satisfactory. In Lexington,
KY. a giant shaft to the memory of Henry
Clay, with a beautiful figure surrounding
II. was placed in handsome part OF the
city. In Charleston, s. c., a similar shaft
TO the memory of John G. Calhoun stands
IL seems to me that the idea might be fol-
lowed with success in this city. Those who
have contributed 10 the memorial fund
from other states do not look with favor
or shaft. When the idea OF a memorial
building was preached ii received the dis
and as some or them had given large
amounts their opinions had weight So il
can safely be said the memorial will be one
OF the two kinds have mentioned.
Some have suggested TO the committee
that IL be placed in University Park 1t
seems 10 me the suggestion is a good one
but still there are advantages in favor OF
other locations that have been mentioned
A statue OF the President would be a very
, appropriate establishment for Federal
square. the only objection being that the
great size OF the building might dwarf the
statue or shaft and reduce il 10 compara-
tive insignificance. However. il the me
mortal were 70 be placed at the corner OF
Meridian and Ohio streets. that objection
might be removed. and the same would be
true II IL were TO be erected at Pennsyl-
vanfa and Ohio street3 The technical in
stitute site has been suggested TO the com
mittee. but IL Is considered that the old
arsenal grounds are too far removed from
the center OF the city and that few Wis
TORS would have an opportunity OF observ-
Ing the tribute 10 the great citizen 81
Clair Park Is one OF the sites proposed but
IL Is said there Is constant danger OF the
park being sold by the State. Another Oh
lection is that 81. Clair Park is a little too
far north. The grounds Of the State CapitoI
might make a good location. and there are
many that favor this place, but the commit
tee has not discussed its advantages"
Mr. Elam says the committee has taken
no definite action other than TO decide The
memorial shall be either a statue or shaft.
The details will be settled a. the meeting
TO be held soon. The committee has in
round numbers about $4,000 10 dispose of
which should build a very imposing me-
mortal. Mr.. Elan thinks.