The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
'UNVE|L STATUE ID
 JOHN PAUL JONES
Continuation of the Interest Caused by Discovery of
 His Body

Washington, April 1.-The grim vis- aged statue of John Paul Jones, the first great commander of the American navy, moulded to show him as he stood on the deck of the Bon Hommerichard in her terrible fight with the serapis off the coast of England more than 120 years ago, was unveiled here today. After more than century of apparent indifference honor was paid to the memory of that Scotch American who spread terror throughout England when she was mistress of the sea, and who taught the world that the T. colo nies had right to place among the nations.
 Most of the dignitaries in Washing ton were included in the plan to honor dent Taft and Gen. Horace Porter were the only speakers on the programme George Won L. Meyer, Secretary of the Navy, was given the place as presid- ing officer. and to. Admiral Dewey was assigned the task of pulling the cords that released the flags about the heroic figure
 In addition to the presence of the Dolphin and Mayfower, a touch of mili tary pomp was added by both the army and navy. Practically all the availa- ble military force near Washington, more than 1000 men, had been directed to participate in the parade before the unveiling and to pass in review before President Taft and the procession's marshall
 The unveiling of the statue of John Paul Jones in Potomac park here today brought to close a movement begun years ago to provide some appropriate testimonial to the memory of the great naval hero. It started when wave of public interest was excited by the discovery in France and removal to America of the remains of the early sea fighter. Much difficulty was experienced in selecting a design for the memorial from the large number of mod els submitted by famous sculptors. The choice finally fell upon the design offered by Charles H. Niehaus of New York for a statue. A setting for the statue in- cluded fountain, pylon and approaches, the whole work costing S5O000.
 The memorial is located on the north west shore of the Tidal basin in Potomac park, at the foot of Seventeenth street. not far from the White House, the Pan American Union building. the home of the Daughters of the American Revolu- ton and other beautiful buildings. It is the first statue to be erected within the limits of the new Potomac park and is also the first purely naval monument to he raised in fbis ri bot in memory of Admiral Dupont in 1884.
 The Jones memorial differs in many re- spects from other similar structures in the national capital. It consists of a marble pylon of classic design as the background for a colossal bronze figure of the intrepid naval commander of the early days of the republic.
 The pylon is massive rectangular tower about 15 feet in height. It occupies the center of an ornamental fountain water for which is supplied from the bronze heads of dolphns on each side of pylon.
 The statue of John Paul Jones stands at the base of the monument in front of the pedestal. It Is of heroic proportions being about 10 feet high The great naval commander is shown in full uniform with all eApleSSlOH anu pose suggestive or ms indomitable will and unconquerable spirit He has been modelled as though watching a naval engagement. His right hand is clenched and his left hand clutches a sword. As the sculptor put it, Here is the representation of man capable of do- ing almost anything and not simply a man who can do only one thing"
 There are several appropriate inscrip- tions on the memorial, suggested by Rep resentative Lemuel F. Padgett of Ten nessee. chairman of the House commit tee on naval affairs, and approved by the Jones memorial commission, consist ing of the Secretaries of War and Navy and the chairmen of the congressional committees on library. Under the statue is inscribed:
 '1747 1892"
 First
 To Compel Foreign Men-of-War To Strike Coors to the Stars and Stripes" There are two inscriptions on the rear of the pylon One of these is on the stone forming the cap of the shaft. It em- bodies the language popularly attributed to Commodore Jones when called upon by the commander of the British frigate Se- rapis to surrender the battered American ship. Bonhomme Richard. The inscrip- ton is arranged in two lines, and without quotation marks, as follows:
 Surrender? =
 I Have Not Yet Begun to Fight.
 The other inscription is just below the bas relief representing Commodore Jones time on an American warship It reads:
 In life he honored the flag
 In death the flag shall honor him.