The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-12
LAYING OF
 CORNERSTONE Bureau of American
 Republics. MANY NOTABLES PRESENT President Roosevelt Takes Part
 and Makes Address. congratuIatory Messages From the Presidents of the American Re- pubiics Are Read During the
 Exercises--An Imposing

Washington, May 11-In the pres ence of the President of the United States, and of representatives of every other American Republic as well as all branches of the National Government and of the State Governments, the cor ner stone of the proposed new home of the International Bureau of Amer ican Republics, was laid today.
 Addresses fitting to the occasion and expressfng the great benefits to be de- rived from the formation of the Bu- reau of American Republics in many ways, were made by Pt estdent Roose- welt. Secretary Root, Mir. Nabuco. the Brazilian Ambassador. and Andrew Carnegie, while messages of congratu- lations and wishes. for success in the work about to be undertaken were read from the Presidents of nearly all of the American Republics A very large audience listened to the speeches and witnessed the laying or the corner stone.
 Many NotsSles Present.
 The invited guests in addition to those actively participating in the ex. ercises were Vice President Fair banks, members of the Cabinet. the tH- plomatic corps. both Houses of Con- gress, the Governors of the States and prominent citizens of Washington and N~~~--N~- furnished by the Marine Band. while the decorations for the grand stands and smaller stands erected to accom- modate the guests, were made up largely of the flags of the twcnty-one American Republics.
 Director John Barrett. of the Bureau. in very brief talk. In which he re- ferred to the great assistance given by Secretary Root toward the accomplish ment of the work, and his efforts In behalf of the advance of the Bureau work introduced the Secretary Of state. who is Chairman of the Govern- ing Board of the Bureau. as tha Drs- siding officer.
 cardfaaI Gibbens delivered the inve, cation. which was followed in turn by an address by Me Root. the reading oK congratulatory fnessaKes from Ameri> can Presidents and addresses by Pree- ident Roosevelt Ambassador Nahuco' and Andrew Carnegie, Ceremonies incident to the laying of the corner. stone closed the exercises. Inscribed on the cornerstone are the following words:
 Inscription on Stone.
 "Building of the American Repuohcs, Erected through the public splIteu gift of Andrew Carnegie. and the. con trihutions of all the Republics upon land provided by the Government or the United States. May n. 1905"
 The imposing International building yIfi stand on an attractive site cover ing about five acres to the South or and in close proximity to the Wnlte House. the State, War and Navy De- partment building. the Concoran Art Gallery. and that of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is also near the Washington monument. The dimensions of the building will be ap- proximately 160 by 160 feet. its main portico standing two stories above hiRh studded basement and being in tuTn surmounted by dignifed balus- trades The rear portion in order to cover a capacious Assembly Hall will rise still higher. The general archit- ecture will suggest Latin American treatment out of respect to the fact that twenty of the twenty one repub- lies are of Latin origin, at the same time possessing such monumental char acteristic as will make 1t harmonize with the general scheme for the im- provement of Washington. It will be constructed throughout of steel and concrete with the effect of Spanish stucco finish and with white marble steps, foundations and trimmings. large reading room will be feature where can be seen all the South as well as North American publications besides important historical data.
 The Assembly Chamber.
 A beautiful Assembly Chamber that for present purposes, will be called the Hail of the American Ambassadors" will provide the only room of its kind in the United States. especially de- signed for international conventions, receptions to distinguished foreigners. and for diplomatic and social events of a kindred nature. The Bureau Is strictly an international and indepen- dent organization maintained by the joint contributions. based on popula- tion, of the twenty one American Gov ernments.
 Nearly S1,000.00o will be spent in construction and fitting up the build ing of which Andrew Carnegie con tributed ST5O.0o0. It will be unique. not only for Washington. but in all the world. serving as an International Headquarters or offices in one National Capitol of twenty one American na- tions, the nearest approach to 1t be- ing the New Temple of Peace. now be- ing erected at The Hague.