The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-05-12
Washington LETTER
BY CARL scHoFIELD. Special Core
spondent.

The new building of the internatton-
al bureau of the American republics,
! recently dedicated here. will be the
home of the bureau. which represents
union of twenty-o ne republican ma
tons OF the new world. bound together
by common consent, without treaty
obligation. to work for the advance
ment OF peace. friendship and CON-
merce In the new world. The building
itself is one of the most beautiful
structures of the national capital and
is worthy to rank among the highest
achievements of architectural art in
the twentieth century 1t Is thorough
ly American. expressing in white mar
BILE the highest artistic ideals of the
American peoples both north and
south and acknowledging no debt to
Europe, except that it claims legiti-
mate share of the common heritage of
Greek and Roman building art. 1t is
situated in commanding position In
the superb new Potomac park, not far
from the White House, under the ac-
tual shadow of the Washington monu-
on the other side of the Potomac.
The Palace of Peace.
The building itself, which is called
the palace of peace. is the most typical
expression of American art, American
business and American philanthropy
anywhere to be found Twenty-one
republics, contributing In proportion to
their respective population. raised the
sum of $250000 to erect a permanent
home for the bureau in Washington
10 this sum Mr. Andrew Carnegie mu-
nificently added $4,000, making ST.
100000 in all. As twenty of the twen-
ty-one countries represented In the bu-
reau are of Latin origin. the general
style of the building suggests Latin
American treatment. This finds it's
most typical expression in the patio,
or courtyard, over fifty feet square,
which occupies the central part of the
building.
Patio the Feature of Building.
In this patio is a fountain whose
waters splash over mosaic pavement
portraying NEUROLOGICAL events taken
from the sacred literature OF the
Aztecs and the incas. Around the
sides of the square are palms and
cacti, bougainvillea and agave. the
green and scarlet. the purple and yell
low flowers and foliage of the tropics.
the square. are set twenty-oDe shields
bearing the coats-of.arms of twenty.
one American republics. In the sum-
mer this patio will be rooted only by
the blue canopy of heaven. as is the
custom In all of the twenty Latin re-
publics In the winter an electric en-
CINE will apply the energy to a curious
Yankee machine which will thrust out
from q hiding place over this huge
patio roof of steel and glass. which
will admit the light. but which will
exclude the cold the rain and the
snow peculiar to the only northern re-
public of them all.
Hall of Ambassadors.
Although the patio may be the most
Interesting part of the building to the
visitor, the hall OF the ambassadors is
its most significant feature This is a
large rectangular hall in the classic
style. finished in pure white and bav-
ing for decoration In each of its four
corners the Latin word PAX" In
this hall will meet the ambassadors
of the twenty .one republican govern
ments OF the new world to deliberate
upon questions involving the peace and
prosperity of their respective nations.
having always before them the sig
nificant motto 10 remind them that
after all, the chief end and business of
government is peace.
Playhouse For Society.
Washington society leaders have in
augurated a project destined to meet
popular favor. magnificent struc-
ture. to be known as 1.-THE Playhouse"
is being erected opposite the British
embassy by the elite of the national
capital for the purpose of encouraging
the drama and at the same time af-
fording an opportunity for many of
the fashionable set to give expression
to their talents by writing sketches for
production on the stage.
The establishment of 1.-THE Play
house" has met with popular favor
here. Only the members can have
their plays produced in this new home.
which will combine the advantages of
theater. club. restaurant and ball
room.
'sFhe Playhouse" viii be located at
S14 N street. northwest Costly furni-
ture. rare tapestry. valuable paintings
and elaborate bric.a-brac will In all
probability be contributed
The members have decreed that
there shall be an issue of bonds not
exceeding $4,000. coupons 5 Per cent.
payable Aug. /. 1925. and of this
amount more than $4,000 has already
been subscribed.
Homecoming Week.
The chamber ef commerce of the
District is preparing plans for home
coming wees for Washington next
September. All effort will be made to
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