Evening star., 1915-03-27

| CORNER STONE LAID
/ Continued from First Page.)
was devoted to the care of other sick and
wounded soldiers. Just before the close
of the war, exhausted by her heroic la
bors, she fell a victim to the fever that
was deadlier than the shot and shell of
battle
! Mrs. Barlow was but a type of the
many in the great army of noble women.
north and south, who gave devoted serv-
Ice and sacrifice to the sick and wounded
of the armies.
| Shortly before his death in 1896 Mai
Gen. Barlow said to his old comrade-fn-
arms, Capt. Scrymser, that one day the
finest monument in the country would be
built to the memory of these heroic
women Then and there Capt. Scrymser
promised him that he would do all he
could to carry out his friends wish and
to see his prophecy fulfilled
At Capt Scrymser's suggestion the
| New York Commandery of the Military
order OF the Loyal Legion Of the United
states n,aa indorsed the proposal for this
propriate 100000. Capt Scrymser guar
anteed FOR the comnlandery an additions
100000. Believing as he did that the
truest memorial would be one that would
heip 10 perpetuate the noble deeds of the
women it commemorated, the use Of The
proposed memorial was offered to the
American Red Cross.
Bill Lost in Conference.
| In 1912 bill to this effect, but rails
ing the government appropriation to
s4oo,oO0. and providing that the site
and building should cost not less than
sfoo,o0O, passed the Senate, but was
lost in conference. The offer Of the
commandery was then withdrawn.
| 1T was evident, though, that there
! was an earnest desire on the part of
| Congress to commemorate the services
or those noble women, including those
both OF the north and the south. The
| American Red Cross, therefore, again
took up the plan, Capt. Scrymser MAX
| ing most generous offer to contribute
personally 100000 If this was carried
| out.
! In October. 1913. Congress by a large
vote in both houses passed the much
| desired measure. Toward the funds to
be contributed in addition to Capt.
scrymser's gift of 100000 the Red
OF its many-times generous supporters
Mrs. Russell Sage, Mrs. E. Fl. Harri-
man, the Rockefelier Foundation of
New York and Mrs. Adolphus Busch of
| st. Louis.
| The commission in charge of the
purchase Of the site and the construc-
| tion of the memorial were most fortu-
\ nate in securing the entire square sit
| uated between the Corcoran Art Gallery
ana the Continental hall of the Daugn-
ters of the American Revolution. This
| was due largely to the liberal spirit of
| the owners of the greater part Of the
| property. The officers of the American
| Red Cross prepared tentative interior
plans suitable to the-~ork Of the Or
| ganization, and Messrs. Trpwbridge &.
| Livingston of New York were chosen as
| the architects. After competitive bids
were received the contract for con-
| struction of the building was awarded
to the Boyle-Robertson Construction
building under the agreement is to be
completed in the spring of 1916.
An Appeal to Veterans.
1T will then take its place among a
| remarkable group of buildings repre-
senting. as they do. art, patriotism
| and peace, while the memorial itself
commentaries the services and lives
| Of these women of the past and stands
| as a symbol not only of the brother
hood of man, but of the brotherhood of
nations
I'm the plea made for this monument
by the Loyal Legion to the veteran SOL
| diers and sailors of the civil war is
OF this memorial:
"Attention:'.
| Comrades:
"'These women were yours-your
| mothers, your sisters and your
wives. You know that they were
] your coequals in labor and more
than your equals in bitterness of
| sorrow; for in your absence at the
front they bore your burdens on
their shoulders and your sufferlngs
in their hearts.
| "'Wil you quit the battlefield of
| life and leave no enduring express
sion of your appreciation? Here is
your holy privilege, not to be rele- :
gated to others. Give, therefore. as
You are able; give even from your
property. Give nov, for the last
roll call is near. Forgetfulness is
injustice. Remembrance Is a sacred
duty
sacred duty"
Tribute to Two Women.
Tribute to the work of Clara Barton
In bringing about Americas participation
In the Red Cross organization, and to her
self-sacrificing zeal as an angel of mercy
wherever humanity called for help in
personally ministering to the destitute
and suffering, was paid by Assistant Sec
retary Breckenridge.
4 He also lauded the leadership Of Miss
Boardman, splendid In energy, zeal and
Judgment" and pointed out these two
women as noble champions Of woman's
right-to spend herself for others" His
address follows:
II share with your and his disappoint-
ment that the Secretary of War. who is
chairman in charge Of the construction
Of the Red Cross building. is unable to be
here on account OF his necessary absence
from the city. He desires me to express
in his behalf the keen regret that he feels
at being unable to be present at the lay
ing of this corner stone that signifies 60
ftiy the appreciation of the American
Government and people of the splendid
work for humanity done by the Red Cross.