The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1903-02-26
ARMY COLLEGE
nisTINGUISHED ASsEMBLAGE AT
TENDS THE LAYING OF THE
= CORNERSTONE.
PRESIDENT MAKES A SPEECH

Secretary of War Root and General
Young Also Deliver Appropriate Ad.
dresses-Impressive Military and
Masonic Ceremonies Take Place.
Institution Is for Thorough Training
Of the United States Army.
Washington, Feb. 23.-In the pres
once of an assemblage of distinguished
people, including the president of the
United States, members of the cab
met and of congress, justices of tho
supreme court, representatives of for
eign powers and others eminent in the
life of the nation, the cornerstone of
the army war college was laid with
impressive military and Masonic cere-
monies.
The occasion was rendered espe-
cially notable and interesting by ad-
dresses delivered by President Roose-
welt, Secretary of War Root and Major
General S. M. B. Young, president Of
the war college. The ceremonies
marked the beginning of a project
which has been fostered by the presi-
dent, Secretary Root and others inter-
ested in the advancement and thor
ough training of the United States
army. While the foundation of the
new structure, which is to be prac-
tically unique, has only just begun,
the plans contemplated by the war
department and by congress include
the construction of an entirely new
set of buildings on the arsenal
grounds. Among other structures
there will be hospital, barracks, Off
GERS quarters and an administration
building, all to be handsome and Of
the most approved architectural de-
sign. A picturesque feature of the cere-
monies was the participation of the
military. About 1000 troops, repre-
senting the various branches of the
war service, took part in the exercises.
They were drawn from the several
army posts in Washington and vicin-
ity and were in command of Major
w. M. Black OF the corps Of engineers
President Escorted by Cavalry.
President Roosevelt, accompanied
by his military aide, Colonel Theodore
carriage at II o'clock. He was es-
corted to the war college grounds by
Troop F. of the Third cavalry. In
other carriages members of the cabi-
net accompanied the president. Two
non-commissioned officers, both skilled
horsemen, rode on each side of the
presidents carriage to control the
horses in case they were frightened
by the firing of salutes or otherwise,
and two privates were detailed to each
of the other carriages as a precaution
against accidents. AS the president
and party entered the grounds the
presidents flag was run W to the top
Of the flagstaff and section of the
Fourth battery, light artillery, fired the
presidents salute. The assembled
troops paid the president the honors
prescribed by the regulations.
Grand Master George F. Walker Of
the District of Columbia grand lodge
of MasonS and other officers of the
grand lodge, in carriages, were es
corted to the war college grounds by
the Second cavalry band.
The ceremonies incident to the lay
ing of the cornerstone were impress
sive. The invocation was pronounced
by the Right Rev. Henry Y. Satterlee,
bishop of Washington, the assemblage
standing uncovered during the prayer.
After music by the band President
Roosevelt was introduced by General
C. L. Gillespie, chief Of engineers, U.
S. A. The president was given a cor
dial ovation and delivered an address
of some length. He was followed by
Secretary of War Root and General
Young. Grand Master Walkers as
sisted by the other officers of the
grand lodge of Masons of the District
of Columbia, then laid the corner
stone of the new building in accord
ance with the impressive ritual of the
Masonic fraternity. The ceremonies
were concluded by a benediction pro-
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