The Washington herald., 1909-03-23
IRISH SOCIETIES OBJECT
Commission Hears Protest Against
Barry Monument.
Delegates Ht the War Department.
Model Not Liked by
Hibernians.

Headed by Representative Drlscou OF
New York. a delegation from the Ancient
Order Of Hibernians appeared before the
Barry statue commission yesterday and
protested against the erection OF tine me-
mortal designed by Andrew O'Connor
The design was accepted by the Con
gressional commission charged with tn,
duty as a result OF general competition
among Irish-American artists. The site
selected is on the west side OF Franklin
Square.
The main objection fled against the
proposed statue is that IL represents
Commodore John Barry as an Irishmau
rather than as an American patriot The
figure OF the naval officer Is satisfactory
TO the Irish-American societies. but criti-
cism is made OF fhe elaborate archItectur-
al fountain. upon which appears a
frieze representing the events IN the his
tory OF Ireland
While we Go not doubt that the O'Con-
nor model is worthy OF artistic merit. stfl
We object 10 the frieze representation OF
early folk lore and other aIlegorical
groups on a statue intended primarily
20 honor the memory OF one who was the
father Of the American navy" said one
OF the delegation
Among those who appeared before the
commission were P. J. Haltigan. W. J..
FrizzeIl. and p. r Moran.
The Barry statue commission. owing to
the change OF administration, is now
composed as follows: Secretary Of War
Dickinson. Secretary Of the NAVY Meyer.
Col Cosby. who replaces Col BrouWen
as executive officer. Senator Wetmore
and Representative Mccall The hear
ing was held In Secretary Ddckinson's Of
fee in the War Department
The protests have been taken under
consideration. and the commission viii
report on the matter within the next few
weeks. II was intimated that although
the commission had accepted the design
OF OConnOr. an Irish-American sculptor
who resides IN France. Il is not bound
TO follow II in every detail. and II il is
deemed advisable. alterations may be
made.
Their contention Is embodied in the fol-
lowing statement. given out last night:
The main objection 20 the O'Connor
model. presented by Representative Dris-
coll, was tnaL u Is q mlscOnceplon or the
intent OF Irish-Americans in having a
statue erected 10 Barry They wanted a
representative American soldier Of Irish
descent OF the Revolutionary period.
O'COnnOr treated them 10 a somewhat
doubtful story OF Irish development,
The select committee Of the Irish So
cieties. composed OF Congressman. law
yers. editors, and business men, had
approved OF three OF the many models
presented The commission went outside
Of this selection. and offered a model
which The Irish societies had not even
thought worthy of consideration.
The commission gave the second and
third prizes 10 models which were among
the three selected by the Irish societies.
The latter are wondering how II was they
came 10 be able 20 number among their
selections the second and third and 10
miss the first"
The Irish societies are willing 10 accept
any Of the statues that can be mutually
agreed upon by the commission. but they
do not like the idea OF being compelled
TO accept the one now proposed.