The Washington times., 1912-04-29
WOMEN OF NATION
PLAN MEMORIAL TO
T|TAN|C'S HEROES
Mrs. Taft Gives First Dol.
lar Toward Proposed
Fund.

''Woman's Tribute to Heroic Man
kind" is the slogan adopted by women
throughout the United States, who have
organized to bring about the erection
in the Nations Capital of lasting
memorial to the men who died in the
Titanic disaster two weeks ago that
the women might be saved.
At the initial meeting, at which the
womans Titanic memorial movement
was launched, Mrs. John Hay, widow
Of the former Secretary Of State, ac-
cepted the chairmanship, and Mrs. John
Hays Hammond was elected secretary.
Acceptances are being received daily
from women in all walks OF life
throughout the country for service on
the Committee Of One Hundred" to
carry the project through to success
ful conclusion.
Contributions of 81 from each woman
liz asked. This nominal amount was
suggested in order that every woman
would find It within her means to take
her part in causing 60 be erected a
memorial which will be an object lesson
to coming generations, as well as a
, tribute to those who lost their lives.
Mrs. Taft Helps.
Mrs. william Howard Taft, wife of
the President, gave the first dollar. So
much did the plan appeal to Mrs. Taft
that she consented to comment, con-
traYy to CUSTOM upon the subject In
signed statement. 1t said:
''It gives me pleasure to start the
Woman's Titanic Memorial Fund by
giving the first dollar. l am glad to
do this in gratitude to the chivalry
of American manhood, and am sure
that every woman will feel that the
smallness OF the contribution solicited
will enable her to do the same:
lSigned) HELEN H. TAFT"
1t is expected that very large sum
will be raised, and that the dedication
may be held within year The tribute
will probably be in the form of a
memorial arch, giving to the National
Capital the one thing of beauty which
It now lacks.
Edward ]. Stellwagen, president OF the
Union Trust Company, of the District
of Columbia. was elected treasurer, and
has accepted the post. Mr.. Stellwagen
who is known nationally as the chair
man Of the last inaugural committee
has donated offices in the Union Trust
Building to the Womans Titanic Me.
mortal Committee. The subscriptions
already received have been deposited, and
cent. G. X. McLanahan, a well-knowr
lawyer, has accepted the position ol
honorary counsel. Many prominent
women are behind the movement.
Letters to Be Sent.
Tens Of thousands of letters will bt
sent to women, members Of women.
clubs. of fraternal orders, of labo
unions. OF literary and social organiza
lions. There are approximately 2S,00
women's clubs in the United States ant
every one of these will be reached.
The members of the committee Of 10
have been selected from every State II
the Union, irrespective of race, religion
or social standing. 1t is the intention
Of those behind the movement to reach
every woman.
No mention Of individual names amone
the heroes who went down with the
Titanic will be male in connection With
the memorial. Coal passcrs. stokers
oilers. and members of the band, who
went to their death playing Nearer
My God, to Thee" will rank with thos,
mon Of the hrst cabin list whose lives
were lost after having helped the WON.
en- and children into the lifeboats.
No contributions will be accepted from
men. The memorial will be the result
tf contributions from women only.
Washington as the site for the me-
merial was only select cd after mature
delibcratiun. 1t was deemed that this
city would he the most fitting place be-
cause Of Its position rs the seat Of the
National Government. In order that the
movement might not be ,rcgarded as 9
local one, but as 4 national one, few
Washington women have been chosen t.
serve on the Committee of One Hun
foi the memorial can be obtained from
Congress- was also kept in mind.