Evening star., 1911-01-28
Chamber of Commerce Issues
Pamphlet Detailing Plans.
TO BE DISTRIBUTED in CITY
Tells of Effort to Secure Place for
Holding Conventions.
ASK CITY FOR $25O,0OO
Building Will Contain Large Audi
torium in Addition to Offices
for Fraternities.

4 pamphlet detailing the plans for the
erection of the proposed George Wash
ington Memorial Convention Hall. which
has been compiled by the conventions
committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
and which will be distributed throughout
the city in the interests of the project,
was made public today.
The pamphlet has been printed in attrac-
tive form. Me history OF the George
Washington Memorial Association, whicn
is back of the project, the needs of Wash
ington for a convention hall. and the part
Washington must play to obtain the
buildings are set forth in the little book,
which has been compiled under the di-
rection of Granville NJ Hunt, chairman
Of the conventions committee.
The pamphlet states that the move
ment for the erection of a George Wash
ington Memorial was started in 1888 and
has been carried forward by the George
Washington Memorial Association an
organization formed by twenty-seven OF
the most affluent and influential men and
women of America.
This association proposes to erect i'm
|. Washington a convention halr that will
cost *2.UUO.OOO. and to establish an en-
dowment fund of $50DOOO for It's main
tenance. Mark you, d total of S., 500 90.
Raise Money Throughout Country.
"The officers of the association propose
to raise this money by contributions FROM
the people of the United States. About
$2oO,OOO has already been pledged. About
$oOOoO in cash has been contributed
'ln soliciting funds for the memorial,
the association has constantly been con-
fronted with the following question:
W nat is Washington doing for this pro-
Ject, which means SO much more to it's
citizens than to anybody else?
The officers have had to reply that
Washington was doing nothing. Last
spring they put the case squarely up to
the people of this city. They said:
.ood 1oo washington will contribute
fund and $4,000 toward the endowment
fund, we will get the other s2,2JOOOO from
the country
Why Washington Is Interested.
why should Washington care whether
a ive-thousand-dollar con-
vention hall is built in this city?'
I'm the first place, it should care be-
cause of it's sense of patriotism.
I'm the second place. it should care
because an expenditure Of s250,000 for
this purpose will increase by $4,000, 900
the amount of money put into circula-
ton in Washington every year.
This $10,000,000 will be brought to
Washington by the national and inter-
national convention of every character
that are already anxious to come here,
but are forced to stay away because we
have no quarters in which they can be
accommodated.
why is it proposed that a memorial to
George Washington be erected in the Ma
tional Capital?
Should Disseminate knowledge.
.The answer to this is found in the
writings Of our first President. George
Washington devoted large part of his
energies during the latter portion of his
life to the advancement of the idea that
the seat of the national government
should be utilized as a center from
which should be disseminated knowledge
concerning all phases of the affairs OF
our people.
Nothing was accomplished toward
carrying out his wishes in this regard
until the George Washington Memorial
Association was organized The foun-
ders of this association believe that a
convention hall, such as they propose.
would carry out the oft-expressed wish
of Gen. Washington. The people or
Washington believe this also.
"In two imortant papers George Wash
ington urged what the Memorial AssocIa-
farewell address, published September Il,
1896. he said:
promote as subject of primary I'M
portance, institutions for the general
diffusion of knowledge In proportion as
the structure of government gives force
to public opinion, it is essential that pub
lie opinion be enlightened
I'm his last will and testament George
Washington expressed this sentiment:
In Line With Washington's Idea.
1T has been my ardent wish 10 see a
plan devised, on a liberal scale, which
would have a tendency to spread syste-
matte ideas through all parts of this ris-
ing empire
1.-The memorial building is to be prac-
teal in plan and construction, and of the
most durable character. 1t is TO be plan
ned so as to furnish a home and
ga herring place for national patriotic,
Scientific educational, literary art, med
ical and similar organizations that may
need such accommodations.
1T will furnish place where all the
patriotic societies, both north and south,
NAV testify to their love for the Father
of His Country. The building will con-
tain a great hall, or auditorium, and
rooms for large congresses, rooms for