The Washington times., 1907-01-13
SCULPTORS SEE
BEST Of EFFORTS
Out of Twenty Competitors,
Seventeen Are Eliminated
by Judges.

The commission representing Jhe Gov
erument. inrusJed with the selection OF
a design for the Kosciuszko monument
which is to occupy a site in Lafayette
Park. opposite the Cosmos Club, has had
its work somewhat simplihed by the
previous selection OF a jury OF sculptors
who had set apart three OF the twenty
designs offered IN the competition as
suitable, both on account OF the idea and
architectural considerations. 10 ue given
place in the same reservation now
copspiCuously marked by statues 20
Lafayette and ROchambeau.
The Government commission. consist
ing of Secretary Of War Taft, Senator
Wetmore, and Representative McCleaTy,
has been Tor more than a week cOnsId-
erirg the three designs given the first
place on the board of experts, and the
choice soon will be announced
Has 100000 Constituents.
The work of arranging for this COM
petition and OF making known the terms
of the contest 10 the Polish scuiptors in
all parts or the world, has fallen large
IN among the duties OF j. NJ. STEM
kiewicz. the secretary Of the kosci-
uszko monument central committee. who
has been iu this city for several days
attending To the details connected with
the competition.
In conversation with Mr.. SienkieWlcz
il was learned that the committee Of
which he is the secretary is in reality
the governing body Of large number
Of societies in The United states num-
bering la some instances but 5000 or
I.00J members, in other instances neariy
90 900 members. and that these societies,
as well as POlish-American citizens
from an parts of the couutry-number-
ing some 100000 are vitality Interested in
the gift Of a monument To the Cnit=l
States in honor of their Polish conn
tryman Kosciuszko. who allied his for
tunes with this country az the time OF
the Revolutionary war.
Kosciuszko at Home.
Thaddeus Kosciuszko was "a native OF
small village Of the Grand Duchy Of
L.ithuania. a village with the large name
of Mireczowsczyzna His parents We're
of the lesser nobility. people of limited
means, but with an appreciation OF the
value of an education. TEaddeus. while
quite young. was sent To the mill
tary school at Warsaw, where his abil-
ity won for him the distinction of a sup
Elementary course in Paris Upon the
completion of his studies he returned 10
Poland and entered the military service.
where he occupied the position of in
structor in mathematics.
The condition of affairs in America.
the struggle for liberty of the cOlonists.
the insecure condition of Poland. ow-
ing 10 the hostile position of Russia.
Austria and Prussia had their influence
upon KOsciuszkO, who finally decided TO
20 to Paris and tender his services 10
the cause OF the colonists through Ben
Iamin Franklin. at that time the rep
rcsentative of the Government in Paris.
and zealously urging the cause of the
COlOnists.
Letter From Franklin.
The tender OF service was gladly .e.
ceived by Franklin. and KosciuszkO.
bearing a letter of introduction from
Franklin TO General Washington. came
10 this country and was welcomed BIZ
Washington 10 the Continental army.
i'm which me was given a commission as
colonel, and afterward, in recognition
of his efficient service. was raised to the
rank of general.
While Koseiuszko served in the army
ana is best Known by his titles of mill
tary rank. his services as an engineer
and strategisJ were FAR more valuable
than his services as a leader OF men. As
L Enfant. although a soldier was more
conspicuous as an architect. so Koscius-
zko. in his profession as an engineer,
secured greater prominence than by his
qualifications Is a military commander
In preparing fortidca tons for defensive
or offensive operations. and in the mile
tary movements resulting in the suTren-
der Of RurgoNne. the abilities of Kos