Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-04-29

beautiful new home Of the Interna tional
Bureau OF the American Republics was
successfully dedicated The cornerstone
Of this structure was laid two years ago
with elaborate ceremonies by eX-Presi-
dent Roosevelt. The building represents
an expenditure OF 81, 600 600, of which
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie generously donated
10000, while the 81 American republics
gave about $780, 900. This building is de-
scribed by the best critics OF architecture
and constructions as one OF the most
artistic official buildings in the world.
Its architecture is a combination Of the
classical and Spanish and 1t is built en-
tirely Of white marble. Its exterior and
interior are ornamented with beautiful
statuary and carving, One Of its COM
handing and most attractive features is
a great central patio or COURTYARD con-
tanning an eNquisitely executed fountain
design by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney,
and a wealth Of tropical plants and flow
ers. Upon its walls are the escutcheons
in colors Of the American republics in
terspersed with names Of their heroes of
war and peace. Another notable feature
Of the building is the handsome assembly
room to be known as THE hall Of the
republics" which will be the first large
room Of its kind in Washington suited,
by its elegance and dignity, for inter-
national conferences, diplomatic func-
tiOns and receptions TO distinguished
I
fame in which will be placed the statues
and busts of the great generals, states
men and scholars of American history
and in which will hang the silken flags
Of every nation. There is also capa-
cious stack room for the Columbus
memorial library large reading hall,
numerous airy and well-lghted offices
for the stan Of the bureau, study and
committee rooms and facilities for cater
ing for receptions or banquets. Andrew
Carnegie has described the building as
a temple OF peace, commerce, and
friendship" The international bureau,
which will occupy the building, is de-
friendship and peace among the Ameri-
can nations and for this purpose a large
staff of diplomatic, statistical and COM
mercal experts are employed. The
bureau publishes a monthly bulletin de-
scriptive of the progress and conditions
Of the American republics which the
President of the United States has de-
scribed as the most instructive and in
teresting official publication in the world.
At the head of this bureau is Director
John Barrett, native Of Grafton, Vt,
who has served some 16 years in the
diplomatic service of the United States.
His first post was United States minister
to Siam, and in succession he has acted
as United States minister to the Argen-
tine Republic, Panama and Columbia. He
was also special commissioner of COM
merce in Asia, delegate OF the United
States to the second Pan-American con-
ference in Mexico, and commissioner
general Of foreign affairs of the St Louis
worlds fair. The dedication was
unique event of worldwide interest and
of such political and diplomatic signih-
canoe that President Taft described 1t as
the most important international celebra-
ton which Washington had witnessed in
afternoon pXaTClgpS n
cluded an invocation by Cardinal Gibbons
followed by an address by Secretary
Knox of the State department Director
Barrett then gave a descriptive statement
Of the building and work, he being fol-
lowed by Architect Kelsey on the archi-
tectural features of the building. There
was speaking by Senator Root and the
Mexican ambassador, while Andrew Car
negie and President Taft, after happy
addresses, planted a peace tree in the
patio or courtyard during the ceremony,
which was concluded by benediction by
Bishop Harding. An evening reception
in honor of Mr., and Mrs, Carnegie was
attended by President Taft, the diplo-
matte corps, officers OF the army and
navy and many distinguished society
people.
The supervising architect of the
| treasury department, in whose hands is
placed the work of preparing plans for
| the Brattleboro public building, said to-
! day that nothing would be done toward
| selecting a plan until late next fail
| While he expects to follow certain con-
ventional lines in preparing the plans 4
has not yet been decided just what vii
| be accepted. That the structure will be
of modern design and finish there is M
! question, but whether 1t will be fashioned
from buildings already in use has no
been fully determined upon,