Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-26
APPROVED BY FRANCE
Necessary Delay in Erection of
Lafayette Monument.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
Preparations for Casting and Dedica-
ton of Statue.
COPY OF THE CORRESPONDENCE
Sentiment of French Artistic World
Said to Indorse Action of
Those in Charge.
COPY OF THE CORRESPONDENCE

or Its contractors to erect the proposed
handsome monument to Gen. Lafayette In
Paris, as exclusively given in The Star at
the time. The statement was made that In
lieu OF the handsome bronze monument,
for which the school children and many
others in this country had contributed many
thousands of dollars, there had been placed
on the pedestal at Paris a plaster cast,
bronze painted, which was in dilap idated
condition and was reflection upon the pa
triotlc American donors. The complaint
attracted widespread attention because ~e
the number of contributors to the monu-
ment fund in all parts of the United States
and the enthusiasm which marked the col
lection of the fund
Mr.. Robert j. Thompson, secretary of the
Lafayette memorial commission, has sent
to The Star an interesting statement OF
the commissions side of the case. He says:
Il beg to hand you herewith copy OF an
official report respecting the status OF the
Lafayette memorial commission, which re-
port answers we believe in detail the crlt-
cisms raised recently by Col. NJ. A. Winter
of the Minute Men and DIR. conway OF
Paris l send you also a copy of a letter
by the archbishop of ST. Paul, which, Whlle
regretting the length of time required 10
complete the work, felicitates the commas
sion on the policy 1t mas carried our Oh
allowing the sculptor ample time to pro
duce great work of art, and in which the
American people may be forever proud.
Policy of Commission Approved.
at will be seen by the letter of NJ. Geo.
Redon. quoted in the report, that the sem
timent of the French artistic world not
only approves the policy of the commits
sion. but gave the magnificent site for the
monument, practically upon the condition
that the work be guarded against just such
fasco as hastily constructed monument
might result in.
'Srhe report shows further the condition
of the Lafayette fund, which we believe
will be satisfactory to every one. 1T is
unprecedented to have surplus on WORKS
of this character.
preparations are already under way for
the final casting of the statue, and its
dedication the latter part of the year. A
special foundry is being built for the cast
ing in Providence, r. l., and, while the
casting of great work of art, especially
an heroic equestrian statue, in bronze is
very delicate and uncertain proposition,
presenting many possibilities of accident,
we see no reason why this casting will not
be finished by the 1st of September and
ready for dedication the 10th of October
the anniversary OF the real commencement
of the independence OF the United States,
the surrender and fall of Yorktown"
Report to the Commission.
Following IS the report Mr.. Thompson
refers to:
ITO the members of the Lafayette me-
mortal commission, January %, 1905.
Gentlemen: The following general state
ment, indicating The progress and status of
the work of this commission, is respect
fully submitted.
1.-THE Lafayette memorial commission was
formed September 1, 1898, by the United
States commissioner general to the Paris
exposition of 1900, who appointed the fol-
lowing members and officers: William r.
Day, Edward Everett Hale, Archbishop
Trail ri A
lier, Ferdinand w. Peck honorary presi-
dent; Alexander H. Revell, vice president;
Charles G.. Dawes, treasurer; Robert j.
Thompson, secretary; William B. Allison,
Dr. w. r. Harris John w. Mackay, Frank
Thompson.
Since the formation Of this commission
Messrs. Charles A. Collier, Frank Thomp-
son and John w. Mackay have died no ap-
pointments having been made to fill the
vacancies thus occasioned. An addition
was made to the commission by the APP
pointment July 10, 1890, of Edwin A. Pot
ter as treasurer, who succeeded Charles U.
Dawes as treasurer of the commission.
THE funds of this commission were raised
by an organized movement started imme-
diately on the organization of the commits
sion, and eliminating six weeks later in
the celebration of what was known as the
Lafayette day in the American schools.
In that period of time proclamations by
the late President Mckinley, followed by
similar proclama lions by forty-two of the
made. resulting in the celebration of La
fayette day in the American schools uni
versally, and contributions of some two or
three million children toward the fund In
an amount exceeding $4,000.
Amount of Work Entailed.
During this brief campaign upward or
a million circulars, pamphlets, specimen
programs for school exercises, autograph
letters, etc, were sent out by the secre-
tary A sum of $4,000 was appropriated
from the school fund of New York state
for the representation of the school youth
of that commonwealth special issue of
souvenir coins, in the shape OF Jo,UOo Laray-
cite dollars, was appropriated also for the
fund by Congress. Some 5000 of these
souvenir dollars We're sold at premium or
100 per cent
For the details of the selection OF sculp-
tor and artist American jury, etc, you are
referred to the secretary's report OF Janu-
ary 81, 1900. forming part of the record
book of the commission and also IN the re-
port of Commissioner General Peck to
Congress.
"One OF the principal ideas of the Lafay-
cite memorial project was that the monu-
ment might be erected in temporary form
for the purpose Of dedication on United
States day at the Paris exposition, July 1,
1900 This gave the sculptor and artist
barely a years time to perfect Though in
temporary form) the model Tor a great
work of art.
"On July 4, 1900, an international function
of considerable Importance, consisting OF
the preliminary dedication of this monu-
ment, took place. The United States and
French governments were officially repre-
sented by Ambassador Porter and Commits
sioner General Peck for the United States,
and President Loubet for the French re-
public.
ION the conclusion of the first stage of
the work of this commission the French
authorities made special plea copy OF
which here follows. that the artists IN
charge of the work should be granted am
pie time to perfect their studies and to
bring forth the finest product of American
art
Translation.
Paris, October 81 1862.
Dear sir: Mr.. Bartlett has informed me
of the restlessness of your committee con-
corning the time required to bring about
the perfection of the Lafayette mont-
ment As to me. should be very greatly
pleased to see Messrs. Hastings and Bart
lett take all the time that may seem neces-
sary to them to rfpen their work, and
should greatly regret to see terminated in
haste monument which occupies so beau
tiflIl place in Paris. Moreover, the off,
eial Inauguration has taken place; the spot
where ii stands Is occupied and decorated,