Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-30
Worked for Twelve Years
to Obtain Arlington
Amphitheater Funds

The first action toward obtaining the
erection of a Memorial amphitheater
at Arlington was taken by Comrade
Ivory G. Kimball. then commander Of
the Department Of the Potomac. Grand
Army of the Republic. and its erection
was secured by unceasing and persist
ent efforts for period of twelve years.
His growing belief that such struc-
ture was an imperative necessity cul-
minated in a determination to take
some action when. as department com
mander, he presided at the memorial
services at Arlington on May 80. 1903,
and had impressed upon him the mad
euuacy and unsuita bleness of the place
at which these meetings were held
On December Fl, 1903. without con-
sulting any one else. he saw the then
Secretary of War. Elihu Root, and re-
Quested him to send an estimate to
Congress for the erection of an amphi-
theater at Arlington. Secretary Root
became very much interested in the
project and Immediately ordered an es-
innate to be forwarded as requested.
Comrade Kimball then wrote to Car
rere & Hastings, the architects. giving
them a statement of the character of
the building desired and asked them to
prepare tentative plans for use with
the House appropriation committee. A
member of the firm came to Washing
ton to see him and after full consulta-
ton mad the plans prepared anu was
present with them before said commit
tee, but the appropriation was not
made.
Estimate Finally Granted.
During the next session OF Congress.
William H. Taft having succeeded Mr..
Root as Secretary of War, Comrade
Kimban presented the matter to him
and asked him to renew the estimate to
Congress This he did and continued
to renew it year by year until it finally
was passed by Congress.
Upon the advice Of Representative
Richard Bartholdt, chairman of the
House committee on public buildings
and grounds, Comrade Kimball pre-
pared bill which was introduced by
Representative c. w. Townsend and
referred to the committee. This bill
provided for a commission to secure
plans and make a report to Congress.
After a full hearing by the committee,
| at which arguments were presented by
Commander Hopkins. the bill was re-
| ported to Congress by the committee
and became section 10 OF the public
buildings bill. approved May 30, 1908.
| The commission provided by this act
consisted of George B. Cortelyou, Sec
| rotary of the Treasury, chairman; VIII
| liam H. Taft, Secretary of War; FL
| hot Woods. superintendent of Capitol
| buildings and GROUNDS, ivory u. him :
ball, representing the Grand Army OF
the Republic, and Curtis Guild, jr., rep
| resentinR the United Spanish War Vet
erans After a number OF meetings OF
the commission. the plans of the archi-
tects were adopted and report made
| to Congress.
Continues Activities.
During several sessions of Congress
| after the report was made. Comrade
| Kimball used every endeavor to secure
the necessary appropriation to carry
| ont the recommendations of the COM
| mission. Three times the Grand Army
| Of the Republic. in national encamp-
| ment. passed resolutions urging action
! by Congress President Roosevelt, in
| a message to Congress under date of
| December 3. 1906. urged the passage of
| the necessary legislation. and in two
| different messages President Taft made
| the same request, besides referring to
! IL in the strongest language on two
| occasions when he was the orator at
| Arlington. Comrade Kimball prepared
| a bill for that purpose and had 1t in-
| troduced in both houses, and in each II
was referred to the committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds.
| A hearing was secured before the
Senate committee March 20. 1912. and
| after a full hearing. the committee
| unanimously reported ii to the Senate
| Attempt was made again ana again to
| secure its passage. but one senator
and one alone, offered objection to II
Finally it was unanimously passed July
"a. 1912.
The House committee took the matter
| up August 2. 1912. and after full and
careful hearing unanimously approved
the bill. but under instructions from a
caucus against all public building bills
| being reported at that session. deter
mined not to report 1t until the next
session and then TO include 1t In the