The Washington herald., 1914-02-08
WORK TO BEGIN
next THURSDAY
First Spadeful Of Earth to Be
Turned for Lincoln
Memorial.
NO CEREMONY PLANNED
Former President Taft Prssides at
Meeting Of Commission at Which
Details Are Discussed.
NO CEREMONY PLANNED

The first spadsfui OF earth that will
start the foundation of the magnificent
memorial to be built on the Mall In
honor OF President Lincoln viii be re-
moved Thursday. the anniversary OF
Lncoln's birth. The contrscts will be
sent out tomorrow morning for the sig
natures Of the contractors.
These and other final details were set
tied yesterday afternoon at a meeting
of the lincoln Memorial Commission
especially called by former President
Taft. All the members were present. and
former President Taft presided. looking
slightly thinner than he did when he
directed the government from the White
House. Secretary Of War Garrison at
tended. and Uncle joe Cannon was
there, hale and hearty. with a cigar
cooked at belligerent angle.
The meeting. in a way. signaiized the
victory for the commission, In that its
Recommendation as to contracts, and ma
terials. held up for a time by Secretary
OF War Garrison. was decided upon
finally. The foundation work will be done
by NJ. =. Conner & Co, Of Toledo. Ohio.
and the superstructure by the George A.
Fuller Construction Company. of WASH
ington.
Joseph c. 8. Blackburn, former Senator
from Kentucky. attended the meeting as
resident commissioner. the commission
receiving word shortly before the meet
ing that President Wilson had signed the
bill providing for his appointment to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of
former Senator Shelby NJ. Cullom.
Gel. Harris to Direct.
II was decided at the melting that Col
w. w. Harts. engineer in charge Of
public buildings and grounds. shall be-
cOme the disbursing and executive oficer.
Col Harts will act as the directing Of
hcer for the commission and the Secre-
tary Of War.
The work will proceed under the SUPER
vision Of both the Secretary Of War and
he commission. The Secretary will have
broad supervision. and II will devolve on
him to see that the contracts are fui-
illed to the letter. Any minor changes
hat may have to be made In the work
viii come under the charge Of the COM
The matter Of the statue Of Lincoln
vas not taken up at the meeting. 1t is
1t will be decided at an early |
Meeting OF the commission. |
The breaking of ground for the me- |
,,orial will be an informal affair, and |
10 person was chosen for the honor Of |
emovine the first shovelful Of dirt. It |
ras decided that there was not sufficient |
ime to arrange any ceremony. II Is
ossible that the contractors themselves !
nay break ground. although Col Harts |
aid yesterday probably some members
Z the commission will be present at the
ime.
Fsar-years' Time Given.
The contracts call for the completion
Z the memorial four years after the
igninE of the contracts. The foundation
aust be finished In a year.
According to the plans formulated yes
srday. the work Of construction will be
ept well within the 100000 available.
he contract price for the foundation Is
15.0o0 and for the superstructure
,5S7, 500.
ne Lincoln statue. The award will be
iade by . limited competition.