The Washington herald., 1915-10-14
PRESIDENT LAYS
MEMORIAL Stone
MIR. Wilson Shows Skill with
Trowel at Arlington
Amphitheater.
SPEECH BY MIR. DANIELS
Ceremonies Mark Beginning of Erec-
tion of $75O.OOO Building in Honor
of Nations Heroes.

President Woodrow Wilson yesterday
morning with trowel level, and hammer
laid tho corner stone of the Arlington
Memorial Amphitheater. the $4,000 struc-
ture being raised in the silent city in
recognition of the grand democracy Of
the dead
The President welded the trowel with
the skill of a mason. placing the mortar
upon the stone and spreading It in an
adrot manner. He then directed force
of workmen In the work of setting the
stone in place. When It was set he
trued it with a spirit level and indicated
the completion of the completion of the
task by tapping each side of the stone
with a mahogany gavel.
AZ the formal laying of the corner
stone ended a flag was run to the top
Of the crane that had set the block in
place and the Fifth Cavalry Band play
ed THE Star Spangled Banner"
The principal address was by Secre-
tary OF the Navy Daniels:
Daniels Speaks.
This is a substantial symbol, express
sive of the national appreciation of
valor," he said. 'It is a recognition of
the grand democracy of the dead. Its
prime purpose Is that the memory of
tho least of those who lay down their
lives for love of country may be saved
from oblivion. May the day never dawn
when highest genius and the acme OF art
are not dedicated to the task of aNakinS
from sleeping marble the heroic figure
Of the citizen-soldier, or of symboliEing
In massive stone the countrys gratitude
to her defenders. May the day never
come when the deeds of our national
heroes shall not be voiced by the elo-
quence of men or their graves, be wet
by the tears of women"
More than 10000 members Of patriotic
organizations and others interested in the
cornerstone laying were present. On the
platform with President Wilson and Sec
retary Daniels were the members of the
amphitheater commission. prominent G.
A. R. veterans. Lieut.. Gen. Nelson "A.
Miles, Chaplain Coudcn. of the House;
William F. GUIDE, chairman of the G. A.
A. encampment committee. and about 200
invited guests.
The Invocation was by Bishop Earl
Cranston. of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. 4 civil war veteran. Judge Ivory
G. Kimbail. past commander of the De-
partment of the Potomac, G. A. r., who
worked for twelve years in an effort TO
have Congress appropriate for the erec-
ton of the amphitheater. told the story
OF his labors.
Capt. Newton Speaks.
Secretary Daniels. Col. w. w. Harts.
superintendent Of public buildings and
grounds, and +. d. Owen. who was IN
charge of the cornerstone laying. then
escorted President Wilson to the spot
where the block was. In the corner stone
were placed drawings and photographs
of the amphitheater, newspapers and
other articles.
Can't, Charles W. Newton. past com
ma ndcr Of the United Spanish War Vet
Grams. was the last speaker. Benediction
was offered by Rev. John B. F. Frasier.
chaplain in the United States navy.
Follow Ing the ceremony two memorial
trees were planted in front of the EN-
phithcatcr under tn" auspices Of. the
WoE,an's Relief Corps and other womens
patriotic organizations. Mrs. William E
Andrews presided. and George III. Slay-
baugh. senior vice cUmmander-in-c chief Ot
the G. A. r.. and Col. John McElroy.
acting commander of the Department Of
the Potomac. took Tart in the ccre-
monies one. tree WIS dedicated to the
memory or Mai Gen. George II. Thomas.
The Rock Of Chickamauga." and the
other was planted in honor of Maj. Gen
William T. sherman, odd Tecumseh.