The Colorado statesman., 1914-02-11


At the latest session of the conference
on dermatology and hygiene there
were present 5000 delegates. AS
consequence for practically third OF
them there was standing room only"
and none too much of that. For great
gatherings. especially those Of an In
ternational character, Washington is
the natural meeting ground, and prob
ably for such purposes 1t would be
much more in request were there an
adequate hall for their accommoda-
ton. 1t is the seat of government, 1t
has within Its limits repositories of
knowledge nowhere else so rich or SO
available.
To correct this deficiency Is part
of the purpose of the George Washing
ton Memorial association. but only a
part of 1t. Perhaps, If SO minded. the
national government could equip the
city, over which 1t has direct control,
with such a needed convenience. But
it would mean merely big building
and nothing more. The conspicuous
structures erected in Washington have
a character beyond the mere accommo-
dation Of crowds, and SO the move
ment includes suitable memorial to
the Father of His Country" 1t may be
said that the city itself. with its beau
tiful avenues and stately buildings. is
memorial enough for the greatest OF
the distinguished men in our history,
but names and places lose their per-
sonal Significance. and a specially de-
cfo cd oil
ly recall the notable person whose
memory it lie designed to honor.
This is what the George Washing
ton Memorial building would be de-
signed to accomplish. 1t would declare
its character to all who visited 1t or
made use of 1t for deliberative or edu-
cational purposes. The movement
appears to have secured the sympathy
and approval of other institutions and
of the government. The Smithsonian
Institution, the National Academy OF
Science and many others are behind
it. The government has donated a
site of several acres facing the Mall,
with an estimated value of half mil
lion dollars. To crown this with a
structure adequate to the intent and
in harmony with its environment
would cost about two and half mil
lions more. The duty and the privilege
of raising this sum has been turned
over to the states. 1t is proper that
this responsibility should be placed
upon them. 1t is not to be raised by
taxation, as we understand it, but by
appeal to public spirit.
Those who have been pressing for a
George Washington National univer-
sity might well divert their activities
toward the advancement of this more
practical enterprise. What Washing
ton desired in the infancy Of the ma
tion gives us no light upon what his
views would have been could he have
foreseen how the passion Of founding
institutions for the diffusion OF
knowledge" would develop. His mem
ory has certainly been honored In all
parts of the country in the zeal and
enterprise shown in carrying out his
cherished wish. But the present pro-
ject would very appreciably reinforce
what has already been accomplished.
1t would be for the diffusion of
knowledge" To those states which
made adequate appropriation toward
its cost 1t would provide space in which
to exhibit their resources and
achievements. 1t is an American
movement of large significance in
which all patriotic Americans should
be interested.