Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-17
PERMANENT MAKERS
Points of Historic Interest
Here to Be Indicated.
MOVEMENT UNDER WAY
Commissioner Mcfarland to Name
Working Body.
APPROPRIATION AVAILABLE
Citizens Will Cooperate With the
Joint Committee on Library Of
Congress in Work.

II ScciHS u De assured dC ldSl CIlaL lNe
points of historic interest at the National
Capital will be suitably and permanently
marked in the near future. Henry B. +.
Mcfarland, president Of the board of
District Commissioners, says that during
the coming week committee of repre-
sentative citizens will be appointed to CO.
operate with the joint committee Of Con-
gress on library for the purpose, and 1t
Is believed assurances have been received
that the money appropriated by Congress,
amounting now probably to about 81, 500,
will be utilized to begin the work. Sen
ator Wetmore, who is chairman Of the
Joint committee, is known to be deeply
interested in the movement, and it Is said
will be glad to have the assistance Of the
permanent committee which will be ap-
pointed in locating and verifying the To-
cations of historic houses or spots where
such houses have stood or Incidents of
historic value occurred.
The committee, it is understood, will be
selected among those who have served
on similar committees at the G. A. Il.
encampment some years ago and at the
last inauguration. Many CT these men are
old residents of the District, and many
OF the younger men are also thoroughly
familiar with the spots Of historic inter-
Idea Met With Favor.
Just after President Taft's inauguration
Commissioner Macfarland was so I'M
pressed with, the value Of the temporary
markers which pointed out to visitors the
spots made memorable by events or per-
sons prominent in the nations history
that he suggested to Chairman William
P. Van Wrinkle, Vice Chairman William
V. Cox and DR.. Marcus BENJAMIN. its his
torian, the desirablity of permanently
continuing their committee to further the
movement that is now about to eliminate
with success. The idea met with imme-
diate favor.
On that committee were. among others.
men like Judge Job Barnard. Madison Da
Wis, former assistant postmaster: T. i.
Belote, George F. Bowerman, Amos B.
Casselman. James Croggon. Frederick L.
Fishback, Judge A. B. Hagner, Harry Q.
Hall. DR.. D. Percy Hickling. Joseph !.
keefer, Benjamin Miller. Zebina Moses.
Frederick .. Owen, Andrew H. Ragan.
Henry w. Samson. J. Kennedy Stout,
Francis j. Young and William B. Turpln
who had taken keen interest In locating
and verifying the spots of historic inter
est about the city and rendering valuable
assistance in having them properly mark
ed. The work of the committee was a
revelation even to old residents. and was
one of the most interesting features of the
great Inauguration celebration.
After comforting with Messrs. Van
Wickle. Cox and DR.. Benjamin and
others, Commissioner Mcfarland had
conference with Senator Wetmore. which
greatly raised his hopes and caused him
to believe that If a permanent committee
were appointed, consisting of such men,
the Joint committee on library would
gladly receive and consider their sug-
gestions and, recommendations.
First Appropriation in 1908.
The first appropriation made for mark
ing points of historic interest at the Ma
tional Capital was made by Congress by
the act of June %, 1905. and 1t was for
$780, This appropriation was continued
and another $500 added by the act Of
March 2. 1907. Both were continued and
$500 more added by the act of May 20,
1908.
All these appropriations were renewed
by Congress. and are available during
the fiscal year Of 1909-1O. The fund ia
under the control of the joint committee
on library.
special session for the consideration of
the tariff bill. and the summer season
following closely, but little in the dtrec-
ton of real accomplishment could be
done. But now with the return of the
cooler weather, the work Is to be taken
up in earnest and the permanent commit
lee will be selected the coming week. as
announced by Commissioner Mcfarland
yesterday afternoon.
Excellent Bronze Samples.
During the Grand Army encampment,
as during the Inauguration, the commit
tee on historic markers located, verified
the locations and temporarily marked
with neat near bronze markers two hum
dred points of historic interest. Those
marked during the encapment were In
many respects different from those mark
ed during the inauguration. because they
were marked with especial reference to
the interest of the old veterans. The
committee which served both times has
been practically continuing committee.
composed largely of the same persons.
and those persons, 1t is believed, furnish
every qualification for membership on
the permanent committee.
Chairman Van Wlckle says the COM
mittee now has some excellent real
bronze samples submitted for permanent
markers The 81, $50 already appropriated
by Congress will not. of course, cover the
LOST OF permanently marking all points
of historic interest, but 1t will be an ex-
cellent basis upon which to build, and
commissioner mcfarland and others in
terested in the movement feel that Con-
gress will give Its hearty approval to the
work and ultimately provide funds suffi-
cient to place at every spot halloWed
with historic memories a suitable and
permanent tablet to tell the world it's
story.
DELIBERATE SUICIDE.