The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-08
SECRETARY BRYAN'S VAULT.
That Prohibition Issue Is to He Saved
If Possible,

! ALEXANDRIA, Va, Dec. despite the
impenetrable secrecy that wells the
transactions of the State Department
at present, II became known to-day that
an immense chrome steel safe is under
construction Immediately adjoining the
Secretary's office and opening through
doorway situated directly behind
the Secretarys desk. This strong room
was designed by the engineers VINO
planned the vaults of J. y. Morgan's
new office, and the experience gained in
that construction has been utilized to
render the new structure more secure
than any other in the world
| The new vault consists OF sheets of
| steel electrically welded together, set
| on a concrete base and surrounded by
thick concrete walls. The dimensions
| of the structure are not available for
publication at this time but IL Is re-
ported that while not 80 large as some
others, II Is enormously more powerful
! for res stance to attack.
The State Department Is already well
equipped with safes and vaults for the
| preservation of the invaluable docu-
ments committed to its care and much
curiosity has been excited as to the
I use to which the new strong room will
| be devoted
Some employees of the Department
have surmised that It's purpose was to
| furnish "a safe retreat for the Dove OF
! Peace, which has been exposed to ad-
verse Influences IN Carnegie villa, The
Hague. This supposition is not sus-
tanned BY the present state of the
( Doves health, which suggests the pro-
priety of a handsome monument, rather
-. -
Another guess has IT { at the strong
room is TO be used for the protection OF
peace treaties. neutrality pacts and
conventions establishing the rules OF
war. but the more hard headed members
Of the departmental staff hold that II
would not be worth while to go to any
expense on account of such documents
under existing circumstances.
As a matter of fact the warm per-
sonal friends Of Secretary Bryan de-
clare that the safe is not intended TO
hold any documents or symbols that
have to do with our foreign relations,
past, present or future but that Il Is
for the personal use of the Secretary
himself and his own most highly valued
possessions.
Secretary Bryan has been much per-
turbed by signs that the Hon. T. Roose-
welt of oyster Bay, y. Y. has laid
greedy eyes on the national prohibition
issue. which the Secretary has carefully
nurtured for many months. Secretary
Bryan has had great deal OF expert
ence with the Colonel and he knows
that where that gentleman's gaze once
rests his grip will soon be felt There
fore he fears that the prohibition issue
may soon be torn from him and utilized
as strut for the now wabbly edifice
OF social Justice
Hence Secretary Bryan has had con-
struCted this model safe. situated near
his desk. and in it he intends to keep
the prohibition issue. carefully packed
in cotton. When the Secretary is in
Washington he will take the issue out
and fondle It keeping the vault door
open So that II may be quickly restored
10 safety II the Colonel mohilizes unox-
peCtedly on the banks OF the Potomac.
When the Secretary Is absent from the
post for holding which he draws salary
from the taxpayers. the issue will be
kept locked up, with efficient guards at
the door. so that II cannot be disturbed.
By this means Secretary Brvan hopes
to save from tho Co,onel the last great
issue the Consc.cncelrss despo!lcr ~ a
great politician and supreme statesman
has left 20 comfort his old age.