Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-25
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
CONTRACT NOT LET
Commission, William H. Taft
Presiding, Confers
Over Bids.
KENTUCKIANS URGE
USE OF LIMESTONE
Marble, However, Will Be Chiefly
Used in Proposed $4,000, 900
Structure.

Structure.
The Lincoln memorial commission,
presided over by former President WILL
liam II. Taft as chairman. deliberated
for two hours and a half this morning
over the bids offered by contractors for
building the two million-dolla struc-
ture that Is to be erected in Potomac
Park. without awarding the contract
They resumed consideration of the pro-
posals this afternoon at o'clock.
When the commission adjourned Tor
luncheon former Senator Shelby NJ. Cul-
soIn, resident commissioner for the me-
mortal. announced that it has been prac-
tically agreed upon by the commission
that the memorial shall be constructed
OF marble. az against any other form of
stone or building material. The work Of
VIII be devoted to deciding upon which
Of the various marbles to be had In the
United States aAall be used.
Urge Kentucky Limestone.
surprise developed when the commis-
sion met The Kentucky delegation In
Congress, led by Senator Bradley. ap-
peared before the commission, and urged
that some arrangement be made for the
asking OF new bids, to permit firms and
companies In Kentucky which market
Bowling aireen limestone to submit a bid
providing for the construction of the
memorial of this material
AS a matter of sentiment, because OF
Lincolns connection with the state Of Ken
lucky, 1t was urged, limestone from that
state should be used In constructing the
memorial, and the Kentucky delegation
instanced the $1,000, 900 Everett residence
In Sheridan circle. built of Bowling Green
limestone, as an example of the beautiful
architectural results that can be obtained
with the material they want used
Marble Will Be Used.
Speaker Clark, one OF the members of
the commission. commented upon the
proposal far enough to say that It is
undoubtedly within the commissions
power to reject all the bids that have so
far been offered and ask for new bids.
under which circumstance he said, the
kentuckians could enter their PROPOSE
ton. The declaration of former Senator
Cullom, however, following the morning
session, seems to have disposed of the
hopes OF the Kentuckians, and to have
established the intention of the commits
structing the memorial
The kentuckians were promised that
the commission would consider their
request, and 1t is expected that the pro-
pcsal will come up again this after
noon.
Washingtonians Bid.
several of the contractors who are
end. avoring to obtain the work of
building the memorial are Washing
tonians. among them James l. Par
sons, John Gill & SON. Arthur Cowsill.
r. F. Gormley & Co. and the Crawford
Paving Company, the latter being bid
ders for the foundation work.
Among the contractors and bidders are
some of the principal construction firms
of the United States.
Representatives of several Washington
and out-of-town firms were nearby dur
ing the sessions OF the commission to-
day, ready to be called upon II the COM
mission should care to hear them. The
sessions, however, are executive, and the
commission has SO far not expressed
wish to hear any Of those interested.
All the members Of the commission,
with the exception of Senator Martin Of
virginia, who is said to be unavoidably
absent from the city. were present at
soxeS to ssss At oeiock 70 ca
the House to order, but announced tina.
he would attend the afternoon session.
dent William H. Taft, chairman; former
senator Shelby Nj. Cullom. resident COM
missioner; former Senator George Pea
body We:more Of Rhode Island. former
Massachusetts and former Speaker
Joseph @. Cannon Of Illinois.
Taft Calls on McAdoo.
Following the morning session of the
commission Mr.. Taft went Immediately
to call on Secretary Of the Treasury
McAdoo, with whom he desired to con-
fer regarding the proposed new post
Office and federal building at New
Haven. Conn.,. his new home. Mr., Taft
called TO see Mr.. McAdoo and Sherman
Alien. assistant secretary of the Treas
ury, on the same subject earlier in the
morning. He desires to have marble
used In the construction of the New
Haven building, 1t Is said, and to ex-
pedite the work Of beginning con
struction on behalf Of his fellow citt-
Iens IN New Haven.
With Maj. J. j. Hemphill at tie University
Club. A party Of friends, including mem.
Ders OF the commiss on. had been ar
ranged for the occasion. but the work OF
be postponed For dinner tonight Mr..
Tart has reserved the table in the pup.I.
dining room Of the New Willard Hotel, at
which he breakfasted like any other pri-
vate citizen this morn ng. II ts expected
that number Of friends will Join him
there.
Will Call on Wilson.
Mr.. Taft has no other engagements
for the day. except the call Of respect
he intends to make upon President
Wilson at the White House. He began
the day by consulting an oculist here
to have his reading glasses corrected.
and the automobile Of Brig Gen. Ale
shire. Quartermaster general Of the
army. has been placed at his disposal.
When the former President arrived at
the Senate office building this morning
where the meetings OF the commission are
being held in the rooms allotted to former
Senator Cullom, he stole a march ON the
little crowd waiting at the Delaware ave-
nue. ard C street entrance Of the building
to greet him by using the street en-
trance He came to the meeting alone
although. aS In former days, he posed for
the photographers as he came out
Prize Championship.
Referring today to Representative Bor-
lands resolution to supplant Mr.. Taft
and other republicans on the memorial
commission. Mr.. Taft jokingly remarked:
II suppose l mieht stand the loss. II
wasn't 80 much when they took the presi.
dency away from me. but, tell you. if
they try to do likewise with this job It
will hurt