The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-09
Distinguished Gathering At
tends Ceremonies in the
Great Lecture Hall.
GEN. FRANKLIN BELL
PRESENTS SPEAKER
Secretary Points With Pride to
Work Already Accomplished
by Institution.

Before a distinguished audience Sec
rotary Elihu Root today formally dedi-
Gated the Army War College.
In the great lecture hall Of the col
legs were gathered diplomats from
nearly every country in the world. JUS
tees Of the United States Supreme
Court. Cabinet officers ana their wives,
heads Of departments in the War De-
partment. army officers stationed In
Washington, and the members OF the
general staff.
Although the college has been IN op-
Grafton more than year, and the OIL
GERS IN attendance have done a vast
amount OF work since It's establishment
il has never been formally opened. Sec
rotary Root has long since transferred
his energy TO the State Department. but
he is universally looked upon as the
rather OF the new army, and FOR thar
reason he was asked by Secretary OF
War Wright 70 make the dedicatory ad-
dress today.
Cen J Franklin Bell. chief or staff
made q few opening remarks, after
which he introduced hIr. Root. The
Secretary OF State made an exhaustive
address OF more than an hour He
dwelt on the old army as compared with
the new, and pointed out the great ad-
vautages TO be derived from the efforts
Of the War College, Mr.. Root said that
the institution filled a long felt want ia
the army, and, although IL was COM
paratively new. It's work had already
been productive of good results.
The visiting diplomats and Cabinet Of
fcers saw few indications that the col
IeRe was a brand-new one. The libraries
are well filled, all OF the rooms are fur
nlshed, maps OF every country IN the
world cover the walls, and the student
Officers have their work cut out for
them each day. Only the surrounding
grounSg remain 10 be finished. It is
planus5 TO have the great stretch OF
land bsgween the college building and
the parade ground improved, but the
work viii not be undertaken until next
spring.
It was entirely fitting that Secretary
Root should deliver the dedtcatory adj
dress today for the plan for the es-
tablshment OF a war college nrst had
birth in his mind. It was he who sug-
gested the necessity for such an iustt-
tuition and pointed out 70 the officials
Of the Government that only by the
equipment Eod maintenance OF such a
college could the United States be pre-
pared for an emergency.
young officers, but an institution OF
wider training for seasoned soldiers or
the American army. It is within the
college that all important questions
relating 10 She action Of this Govern
rnent, so far as II concerns its military
schedule, are worked out
Four Years Building.
The college has been in course OF
erection and equipment four years.
Work has progressed quietly. and few
outside Of army officers realized the
tremendous task that was being accom-
pIished and the Importance OF the work
The building itself is a magnificent eX-
ample OF architecture, and IS designed
inside for every requirement the plans
OF Secretary Root had suggested.
One year was required for the work
men to lay out the grounds and lay the
foundations. Provisions were made on
the plaza for statues Of twelve of the
greatest soldiers IN world history,
These statues will all be the gifts Of
foreign governments. The first memo
rial came from the Emperor Of Ger
many in a statue Of Frederick the
Great, which was dedicated several
years ago with notable ceremonies.
Situated as II is, on the point Of d mar
row stretch OF land at the extreme
southern section Of the Washington
Barracks reservation, the War College
presents an unusually imposing picture.
Pleasure and eXCurg8On boats plying up
and down the river pass within a short
distance OF the building. IN which much
history will be made in the years %
come.