The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-04-19
DELAY LINCOLN
Memorial PLAN
Congressional BOdyCaa1OtAgrGe
Upon Suitable Location.
S2,OOO,OOO is APPROPRIATED

Champ Clark Suggested That the Peo-
pie Be Asked to Decide the Matter,
and Country's Trade Organization
Will Be Appealed to With That End
In View.
At the last session congress passed
an appropriation of $2,000,000 for the
erection of a memorial to Abraham
Lincoln. A committee of seven mem
bers-namely, President Taft, Senators
Cullom of Illinois, Wetmore of Rhode
Island and Money of Mississippi and
Representatives Cannon of Illinois,
Mccall of Massachusetts and Champ
Clark of Missouri-was designated TO
carry out the provisions of the resolu-
ton.
This committee so far has been un-
able to agree upon location for the
proposed memorial or its design. The
question has been referred to the fine
arts commission as an advisory body.
While the Lincoln memorial commit
tee just named is the central authority
In relation to the project, its powers
are somewhat limited by an amend
ment adopted by the senate requiring
approval by congress of the location
and design of the memorial upon which
the committee may finally decide
How to Commemorate Lincoln.
The issue on which the committee di-
eides is not new one. The old Burn
ham park commission, the Roosevelt
fine arts council and some members
of the present fine arts commission all
have approved the original park com
mission plan. This contemplated Il
memorial portico, surrounded with ter
| races, gardens and fountains, on the
, eastern bank of he Potomac.
This was in turn a feature and
only one feature of general plan for
| the beautiful and systematic develop
ment of Washington recommended by
such great artists as Daniel H. Burn
ham. Charles f. McKim. Augustus
Saint Gaudens and Frederick Law
| Olmsted. Jr.. who composed the origi-
nal park commission. Their report
was presented Jan. Is, 1902, and every
year that has elapsed since then has
confirmed the wisdom of their conclu-
! SiOnS.
Commissioners DISAGREE.
The congressional committee appoint
ed under the latest resolution is not
altogether friendly to the park commits
sion plan. Speaker Cannon long has
favored Lincoln memorial between
the Union STATEN and the capitol not
Withstanding that a statue of Christie
pher Columbus is now being made to
go on the plaza in front of the station
! Senator WetmOre and Representative
| Mccall are, or have been, advocate;
of this site. President Taft is strong
ly for the park commission proje t.
The position of Senators Cullom ant!
Money is not known. Champ Clark
has defined his own views with the
suggestion that the people of the coun-
try should decide what form the me-
mortal should take and where it should
be placed. The committee has held
several meetings which have resulted
IN no agreement, and, as stated, the
opinion of the fine arts commission has
been asked
Let the People Decide.
Oddly enough, the suggestion OF
Champ Clark, whether offered serious
ly or not, has been taken up. 1t has
been decided by friends of the Poto
mac site to state their case to the
country and ask for popular verdict
on the question. They hold that the
idea of a memorial to Lincoln is one OF
national interest and Importance and
that as the local authorities can arrive
at n conclusion the matter should hC
submitted to the people. The Wash
ington chamber of commerce has vol
unteered to communicate with thl
trade organizations of the country
with reference to the project, and Z
committee consisting of about seventy
five of the leading men and women o
Washington, few of them holders ol
Duhlic Office has been aDnOinted t(