The Morris County chronicle., 1910-05-10
WASHINGTON Letter
BY CARL scHoFIELD. Special corre-
spOndent

recently dedicated here, viii be the
home of the bureau, which represents
union of twenty-one republican ma
tions Of the new world. bound together
by common consent, without treaty
obligation, to work for the advance
ment of peace, friendship and com
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 iD 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-
ment and in sight of classic Arlington,
on the other side of the Potomac.
ne Faiace or F0aCo.
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 $250O00 to erect permanent
home for the bureau in Washington.
To this sum Mr.. Andrew Carnegie mu-
nificently added $75O,O0O, 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 its
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 vel
low flowers and foliage of the tropics.
Above, on the frieze which runs around
the square, are set twenty-one 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-
gine will apply the energy to curious
Yankee machine which will thrust out
from a 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
large rectangular hall in the classic
style, finished in pure white and hav-
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
nifcant motto to remind them that,
after all, the chief end and business of
government is peace.
Playhouse For Society.
Washington society leaders have In
augurated project destined to meet
popular favor. A magnificent struc-
rure, to be known as ''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 "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.
THE Playhouse" will 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 per cent,
payable Aug. /, 1925, and of this
amount more than $4,000 has already
been subscribed.
Homecoming Week.
The chamber of commerce Of the
District is preparing plans for home
coming week for Washington next
September. An effort will be made to
get the thousands Of former govern
ment employees and officials who are
now living in every state Of the Union
TO return to Washington, the scene of
their old laDors. for a general reunion.
But while special efforts will be
made to get the government employees
to return to Washington for the week,
it is planned also to bring back many
others who have made their homes in
this city in~the past. and all former
Washingtonians will be made heartily
| welcome.