The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1912-04-11
Investigation Discloses That Holes
Made By Sculptor Have Always
Been Visible. {
MORTON MAY COME BACK
It is Said He Intends to Improve His
Rhode Island Avenue
Residence. !.
. BY GEORGE CLINTON.

Neutrality-suspicious. one with q
grievance or with an unbalanced mind
has been scribbling on the walls Of
the capitol in "a large. free hand"
with blue chalk various uncomplimen-
tary comments about great and al
most great statesmen doing their
country's service In Washington. No
matter what the motive which in.
spires tho scribbling. the act is one
Of a vandal because it disfigures the
walls Of the building, and tho police
and the watchmen are trying to catch
the culprit.
1t will be remembered that not long
ago a large piece was cut out Of the
Dil painting Of perry at Lake Erie. !"
Since then = special watch has been
kept to prevent repetitions of the van
dalism. @
False Alarm. About Webster:
Washington was much disturbed =
day or two ago when It heard that
somebody with a ehisel had Clipped
pieces out Of the marble trousers and
the marble coattail Of the statue Of
Daniel Webster which stands In
sStatuary hall. A close inspection has
led to the discovery that the Webster
memorial has not been injured by the
hand OF man. Elliott Woods, the su-
perintendent of the capitol, says that
the holes which were discovered in
the Webster statue were put there by
the sculptor and have been plainly WIS.,
lble ever since the statue was erected.
Some one suggested that the vandal
who was at work was new kind of
moth which had developed an appe-
tite for marble garments.
Former Vice President Levi p. Nor.
ton has made up his mind to come
back and live in the capital for eight
or nine months year for the rest Of
his life. He owns q beautiful resi-.
dence on Rhode Island avenue, where
he lived when he was vioe-president
Of the United States under Harrison
When Mr.. Morton went out of office
the Russian ambassador moved into
the residence and, following him, came
Secretary of State Elihu Root, and
then John Hays Hammond. Mr.. Nor
ton himself lived there for q few
months two years ago. S.. IT.
Morton Mansion In Peril.
There 10 fine arts commission
which is supposed to take cognizancs
Of every attempt to increase the beau
ty of the capital. q cognizance which
embraces the overlooking Of improve.
ments in public buildings. The wish
has been expressed that the commits.
sion might extend it's espionage ia
private dwellings, for some Of the
beautiful old places In Washington
have been remodeled by their socially
ambitious purchasers into mere resi-.
dence monstrosities. In many casea
glazing and In most cases unbeautiful
It is understood that Vice-Presi
dent Morton intends to spend $50, 900
to improve his Rhode Island avenue
home. Today 1t is beautiful 40 1t 10
4 warm red brick pleasing to lool
upon and suggestive In every way Of
comfort. It is now said that it IL In
tended to give the house more state
ly appearance by the Introduction Of
white marble in places. The old
house has been 4 comfort to the eye
of many q Washingtonian man and
visitors, and the changes are awaited
with trepidation. @. zs:z,s. II