The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-12-15
St. GdudenS to
Be Remembered

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-With a
reception at which addresses will be
made by Secretary Root and the am
bassadors of England, France, Italy,
Japan and other nations, the American
institute of architects opens today the
most notable meeting and exhibition
in its history. The occasion takes on
the Importance of a solemn function
on account of the Inauguration Of the
ST. GaudenS memorial exhibition
which may form the foundation of
permanent memorial to the great
American sculptor. The American in
stitute is composed of all the architects
societies in the country, and scores Of
distinguished architects and artists are
here for the gathering
The institute has repeatedly dis
played it's true public spirit and rem
dered many a distinguished piece of
public service. It's annual meeting is
usually signalized by the introduction
of some fruitful idea of wide interest
and far-reaching effects. The govern
ments practical relations to the pro-
fession are important in view of the
fact that the public building expendi-
l.
But the work and influence of the
architects through their representative
body have not been confined to build
ms They have shown an excellent
example of their patriotic spirit and
their practical value in public coun-
sells in their part taken in the recent
improvement of Washington through
the development and rectification of
the original plans of the French engi-
neer, PEnfant, who laid out the ground
Plan of the National capital in the In
fancy of the republic. The broad mind
ed conceptions of Mr.. McKim and Mr.
Durham, their skill in adapting exist
ing conditions to artistic ends, have
left their traces throughout the newest
Washington
Among their imaginative projects
figuring in their own minds only at
the time, was some national memorial
to st. Gaudens, and his untimely
death has brought it within the range
Of practical possibilities earlier than
was expected. Denmark has apotheo-
sized her great sculptor in the Thor
Waldsen monument at Copenhagen
The delegates believe that the
United States would not go astray in
giving some such national honors to
the sculptor who so pre- enninently pro-
claims in his work the distinctive
American genius in art, as in his orr
gin and blood and life struggles he
Illustrated the composite character Of
out population and the opportunities
our public education and free social
and political institutions present to
all.
With such an exhibition held this
winter and the broaching of a perma-
nent memorial to be provided in the
future, the leading spirits of the
American institute of architects be-
lieve they will be laying the founda
lions for better appreciation of all art
and of the part it is to play in the de-
velopment of a great country. and its
relations to civilization. They intend
it as an object lesson in this educa-
ton, which is so profound a need of
our new country, and they would like
to perpetuate this gracious influence
through a permanent memorial which
shall be constituted by the genial arr
lists work Themselves thousandfold
better than any conceivable monument
of the formal kind. Senator Newlands
of Nevada, one of the most cultivated
members of congress, has interested
himself actively in the largest pro-