Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18
GEORGE WASHINGTON
MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION

Some time ago, speaking of the aim
Of the George Washington Memorial
Association-the erec-
Senator Roots ton Of a building here
which should be both
OVmmeAt' a tribute to Washing
ton and a gathering place for all
scientific and other organizations-Sen-
ator Elihu Root made the statement that
such a building is very much needed,
and If erected it would contribute very
materially toward the. progress of
conference, consultation, discussion.
awakening Of public interest, reconcile
alton Of views, recognition of abuses
the process through which great self
governing people works out its problems
and reaches results"
The erection of this building. when
first conceived, was to be attained
through the medium Of general contri-
buttons, which were to come from the
north, south, east and west. The aim
was to make the tribute to Washington
q national one, a tribute from young
and old alike.
But only a few days ago. less than
two weeks. in fact Senator Root fur
Their demonstrated his interest in the
project, as we'll as his appreciation of
its need. by introducing in the Senate
a bill which provides not only for the
erection Of the building itself. but the
purchase Of the land by Uncle Sam.
The George Washington Memorial AS
ISOLATION. formed here in 1897. was the
growth of few women's desire to carry
out Washington's own idea. Not that
Washington wanted tribute. national
or otherwise, to himself. His idea was
the erection Of some building which
would promote literature and science.
He SO stated in his first message to
Congress, in 1890. Again. in 1896. he
sage to the Senate. while in his fare
we'll address we find this:
Put then. as an object of primary i'm
portance, institutions for the general
diffusion of knowledge.
Washington's In proportion as the
structure Of a govern
"AP oso' ment gives force to
public opinion. it is essential that pub
lie opinion should be enlightened
And so it is not strange to find in his
last will and testament a clause re-
ferring to this same subject:s
"It has been my ardent wish to see
a plan devised on liberal scale, which
would have tendency to spread sys-
tematic ideas through all the parts of
the rising empire. Looking anxiously
forward to the accomplishment Of so
desirable an object as this is Tin my.
estimation):" Following this Is the be-
aueathal of fifty shares of stock. value
$500 each, in the Potomac Company.
If fate had not turned her head aside
contemplate such a movement as is
on foot today. Instead. the building
Washington pictured might have long
been the mecca Of science and literature
and the pride of the nation. But fate.
chose otherwise. and when an attempt
was made to carry out this clause in his
will 1t was found that the stock was
worthless.
And so nothing ever came Of it all. and
his dreams were like never to be realized.
now Mrs. Henry F. Dimock is the presi-
dent Of the association, and the prime
mover. AS outlined by the association.
the building is to be a gathering place
for national patriotic. scientific, educa-
tional. literary. art. medical and other
similar organizations. It is intended to
raise $2,5W.OOO. WASHINGTON. as it's
share. Is expected to raise $25O.OOO,
When started. an effort was made to
bring about the desired results through
the then Columbian University. with the
result that the name was changed to the
George washington University, and addi-
tional powers were conferred upon it by
Congress. This accomplished, the asso-
citation then endeavored to build a five
observation-disclosures memorial build
ing to serve the university as an admins
trative center. But. difficulties arising,
the project was abandoned and the asso-
citation withdrew.
The principal feature Of the building 1t
is now proposed to erect is the audi
forum, which is to have
Building seating capacity of from ten
pro;.c+ to twelve thousand. THIS it
1AVJoct' is proposed to enclose by
corridor, upon which will open q series Of
rooms running around the entire building.
and which may be used as Estate rooms
and contain the literature and news
papers of the respective states These
will also serve as meeting rooms for
organizations, while the main hall is to
be used for inaugural balls and national
arJ aforementioned conpreSSaS Provision