Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-20
To ACT ON PROTESTS
Barry Statue Commission Will
Meet Monday.
IRISH-AMERICANS OBJECT
Say Accepted Design Is Not Repre-
sentative of Patriot.
POSSIBLE TO MAKE A CHANGE
Ancient Order of Hibernians Particu-
larly Vigorous in Opposition
Favor Another Model.
POSSIBLE TO MAKE A CHANGE


by various Irish-American organizations,
particularly the Ancient Order % Hiber-
mans 10 the erection in this city of the
statue OF Commodore John Barry design
cd by Andrew O'Connor. an Irish-Ameri-
can sculptor residing in Paris. The de-
sign was accepted by the congressional
commission tfarsed with the duty as
result of general competition among Irish
American artists. TIE commission was
governed in it's selection by the report of
special committee Of artists. The site
selected for the statue is on the l4th
street side of Frank in Park. between
and X streets.
Representatives Of the Ancient Order
Of Iiibernians recently filed an emphatic
protest with President TAFT against the
erection OF the statue designed by O'Con-
nor. That protest was followed by others
from other irish American societies. They
were all referred 70 the Secretary OF War.
Col. Bromwell. the executive officer Of the
Barry statue commission. was called upon
Tor a report i'll regard to tie matter As
result Of Ike agitation special meeting
of the statue commission has been called
for Monday afternoon at 3 O'Clock. The
protests and Col. BroTnweIs report there
on Will be considered a that meeting. and
il VIII then be determined whether the de
rision Of the commission in accepting ne
O'Connor model shall stand or whether
the matter shall he reopened for further
consideration
Changes in the Personnel.
There have been several changes in the
personnel of the statue commission since
the competition decided. Secretary
Dickinson has replaced Secretary Wright
toy.a l,a
of Secretary Newberry- The other mem
bers OF the commission are Senator Wet
more of Rhode Island and Representative
Mccall OF Massa chusetts. Col. Cosby,
the new superintendent OF public build
ngs and grounds succeeds Col BromWell
as executive officer of the commission.
Although the protests against the OCOn-
nor model have not been made public. II IS
stated generally that that decision is oh
iected to mainly on the ground that 1t
represents Commodore Barry in the char
acter of an Irishman rather than as an
American patriot No special criticism is
made TO the figure of Barry himself
which stands in the front OF an elaborate
architectural fountain. Back of the statue
is massive marble wall upon which is A
frieze representing events in the history
of Ireland. This frieze represents some
OF the early traditions of folk lore, the
refining influence OF Christianity. st. Pat
| rick baptisng the king. the expulsion OF
the Danes and finally the troubles that led
| to emigration to the United States At
either end OF this wall are categorical
groups with Erin as the principal inquire
| in each while perched on top at the ends
are two sedate looking American eagles.
| 1t is an elaborate production of undoubted
artistic merit. Doubt Is expressed, now
ever. as to whether the work can be ac-
complished for the $4,000 available for
the statue.
Legends in the Structure.