The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-22
WAR COLLEGE.
 CORNERSTONE Laid With Ceremony in
 Washington. THE MASONS OEFICIATED
President, Root and Young
 Deliver Speeches.
The Secretary of War Told of the Purposes of the New Institu-
 tion-Many Distinguished
 Men in the Assemblage.

of an assemblage of distinguished people. including the President of the United States, members of the Cabinet and Con- gress. Justices of the Supreme Court and representatives of foreign powers, the corner stone of the Army War College was laid here today with impressive mili- tsry and Masonic ceremonies,
 The occasion was rendered especially notable and interesting by addresses de- livered by President Roosevelt. Secretary Root and Major-General B. M. Young, President of the War College.
 The site selected for the building Is on tie reservation cf the Washington bar racks at the foot of Four and One-Half Street.
 Todays ceremonies marked the begin ming of project which has been fostered by the President, Secretary Root and others interested in the advancement and thorough training of the army. While the foundation of the new structure. which Is to be practically unique. has been only just begun the plan as 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 a hospital, barracks, officers quarters and an administration building. all to be hand some and of the most approved archi- tectu1al design.
 Picturesque Features.
 The Army College grounds nave been selected as the site of the statute of Fred erick the Great, which Emperor William has proposed to present to the people of the United States.
 A picturesque feature of the ceremonies today was the participation of the mlli- tary. About 1000 troops representing the various branches of the war service took part in the exercises. They were drawn from the several army posts in Washing ton and vicinity and were in command of Major M. J Black. Corps of Engineers.
 President Roosevelt, accompanied by his military aide, Colonel Bingham, left the White House in a carriage at Il clock. He was escorted to the War College grounds by Troop E of the 3rd cavalry. In other carriages members of the Cabinet accompanied the President. Two non-commissioned officers rode on each side of the Presidents carriage to control the horses and two prlvates were
 
 a precaution against accidents. As the President and party entered the grounds the Presidents flag vas run up and a section of the 4th battery light artillery fired the salute. The assembled troops paid the President the honorS prescribed by the regula tions.
 Cirandmaster George II. Walker of the
 strict of Columbia, Grand Lodge of -4asons. and other officers of the Grand Lodge were escorted to the grounds by the End cavalry band.
 Impressive Ceremony. The ceremonies incident to the laying of the cornerstone were impressive. The invocation was pronounced by the Right Rev. Henry Satterlee. Bishop of Wash ington. The assemblage stood uncovered during the prayer.
 President Roosevelt was introduced by General G. L. Gillespie. Chief of Engi- neers. United States army. The Presi- dent was given a cordial welcome.
 Secretary Root followed the President
 Secretary Root Tells of Purposes.
 Secretary Root said in part:
 Not to promote war, but to preserve peace by intelligent and adequate prep aration, to repel aggression, this institu- ton Is founded. It is growth and not a new departure. It is a natural and nec- essary development of the views with which Grant established the artillery school at Fortress Monroe, General Sner- man established the infantry and cavalry school at Fort Leavenworth and Gen eral Sheridan established the school of application for cavalry and light artillery at Fort Riley.
 "Following the same policy an engi- neers school of application. school of submarine defense and an army medical school were established later. All these institutions were practically suspended during the war with Spain and the Phil ippines. When the time came for their re-esta blishment 1t had become evident that not mere restoration but advance ment and enlargement of military educa- tion were demanded by the enlargement of our army. the advance and greater complexity of military science. the in- creased proportion of officers who had not the benefit of a West Point educa- tion and the wider range of military problems which the possibilities of our national growth force upon our attention.
 "The growth of separate institutions had reached point where their etfl- ciency could be increased and the results of their work could be utilized best by bringing them into relation as parts of a general system of military education un- der the inspection and supervision of a single co-ordinating and controlling body and by supplementng their work with post graduate course which should carry their best men onward on the lines of re- search and thought by which experience and theory combine to the making of skillful commanders of armies"
 Major General Young also made an ad- dress.
 Grand Master Walker. assisted by the other officers of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District, then laid the corner stone. in accordance with the im- presslve ritual Of the Masonic fraternity. The ceremonies were concluded by a benedicuon pronounced by Bishop satter- lee.