The Washington herald., 1908-06-14
SHAMES The NATION
Price Put OH Patriotism at
Mount Vernon.
PAY AT WASHINGTONs TOMB
Fee Required Before Americans Can
Look Upon First Presidents Rest
Ing PIace-MOve TO Have Congress
Assume Control of Property Re-
ceives ImDctus-TitIc TO Property.
Nv w. III. LoMnER.

by w. III. L0WDER.
Mount Vernon. the estate on which
Gen. George Washington spent his latter
peaceful days. where he expired in the
year 1893, and where to-day rests the
clay Of the man who in life was such a
mighty factor In the building of this re-
public, is a name possessing a magic
sound. II is a name that conjures up in
the minds of both old and young the days
when the men OF this nation fought for
freedom. and one the significance Of
which the schoolboy and schoolgirl
grasps about as soon as his mind is able
TO grasp anything.
A visit 10 Mount Vernon Is a patriotic
Inspiration, and one that should be abso-
lutely open 20 every son Of this soil.
whether he reach the gates of this shrine
after a fatiguing journey afoot or by
means of any of the easy modes OF con-
veyance which are denied 10 the poor in
purse. Nevertheless. many are denied
entrance TO the home Of Washington.
One must first pay the price Of admis-
sion. as one does TO get into theater
or a circus. Most people are willing and
glad TO pay the price 70 get a look
through this historic place. but some are
unable to. and are thereupon turned from
the gates.
Spanish War Veterans Active.
Patriotic associations all over the land
have bent their efforts toward legislation
which will allow the United States 20
purchase the home and estate that once
belonged TO George Washington. with
view 70 opening it to the public as a ma
tiCnal park; but so far these efforts have
becn unavailing The United Spanish
War Veterans Of this city have time and
again passed resolutions with reference
TO introducing the proper bill in Con-
gress. These resolutions have been con-
firmed by branches Of the same associa-
tion too numerous 20 mention. All camps
and departments have been OF one opin-
ion. The writer. a member OF the Wash
ington branch OF the L. s. W V. has
cOrresponded with the President. tho
governor Of Virginia. and various Corr
gressmen, all Of whom seemed IN
| terested in the subject He received
assurances from Gov. Swanson. OF Vir-
ginia, that he would give the matter his
personal attention. as he unquestionably
favored the movement In answer TO
protest against the present method OF
obtaining money for the maintenance II
Mount Vernon, which Mr.. Lowder sent
to the White House. he was informed
| that the President had no power IN the
premises. although he would much Ike 90
see the national government IN full con-
troll OF Mount Vernon. and was referred
to Congress Members OF the United
i u
tives also represented themselves as will
! ing TO aid In the adjustment Of the fee
system now in operation. and in favor OF
u government purchase OF Washington's
home. But nothing definite has as yet
been done
Title TO the Property.
It might be well to go into 'he title to
the Mount Vernon estate as Il now
stands, as very few people understand
TIE situation thoroughly. Mrs. Jane c.
Washington offered TO sell Mount Vernon
to this nation a little over sky
years ago. Memorials were forwarded TO
| Congress begging that body 10 appropri-
ate 900 for this purchase. Upon the
6eath OF Mrs. Washington the estate re-
verted 20 John Augustine Washington.
| third, before Congress saw III 20 apprO-
| pirate the 100000 necessary for the pur-
! chase. The Washington family then en-
deavored 70 sell the property TO Virginia.
| but failed In ISIS, however, II was sold
| for $4,000 to the present owners. the
/ Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, a So
| ciety which was organized by Miss Ann
/ Pamela Cunningham, OF South Carolina.
| The money was collected by general sub
| scriptions. Edward Everett adding about
| $4,000 TO the fund as the proceeds Of a
/ lecture tour on behalf Of the project
| The act OF the Virginia legislature incor-
porating the Ladies' Association provides
| that the association shall not have pow
er 10 alien the said land or 10 create
/ q charge thereon, or 20 lease the same
1 without the consent of the general as
| sembly Of Virginia first had and obtain
ed." Therefore. It viii be necessary 70
| obtain the consent Of Virginia before the
property can be purchased even by our
! government. The estate, now in posses
| sion OF the Mount Vernon Ladies' Asso-
! citation. comprises 237 acres.
Fee System Disguised.
One OF the greatest difficulties in the
way Of the advancement Of the project
| to eliminate the fee system in vogue at
] the portals OF Mount Vernon lies In the
| fact that the general public is not aware
/ OF. or does not understand. the abuse.
/ Here It Is: For years the only way TO
reach Mount Vernon was by steamboat.
| The steamboat company plying between
/ Washington and Mount Vernon has dis
/ guised the fact that admission 10 the
grounds was being charged. by including
/ the fee In the price OF the boat trip Ii
/ extorts a double fare from visitors to the
\ tomb OF Washington, which Is an ordi
nary 25-cent trip. The cost Of the trip
TO Mount Vernon by trolley is practically
the same as by water. and there will al
ways be found. during open hours,
man at the gate. who collects % cents
| from each and every individual before
admittance Is permitted. When Congress
takes possession Of Mount Vernon It Will
open the wharf TO excursion boats that
choose to land there This will mean
the reduction Of the fare by water to a
nominal sum, and the trolley line will
! be forced 10 follow suit.
AN ATTmnnn AnIT TANr