The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-03-27
AND
TAFT HELP LAY
CORNER STONE
Red Cross Building Erected
AS Memorial to Civil War
Women
.EDIFICE COST 100000
TO BE USED AS A PERMANENT
HOME FOR THE AMERICAN
SOCIETY,".
NV Associated Press

tBy Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, March 2I.-Presi-
dent Wilson ana former President Taft
take part today in the ceremonies of
laying the corner stone OF the new Red
Cross building. which Is to be erected
as a memorial to the women of the
Civil war.
The new building is to be one of
a group of stately structures-the
Corcoran Art Gallery. the Pan-Ameri-
can building and the Memorial Hail
of the Daughters of the American
Notwithstanding the wide sweep of
grounds back of the state department
and White House.
The building and site. provided by
government appropriation and private
subscription, will be turned over IN
perpetuity to the American Red Cross.
Here the organization will make its
permanent home. and the building
will house all OF the administrative
officers in charge of Red Cross work
The plans and construction are under
the control of commission headed
by President Wilson, with Secretary
Garrison, Senator Luke Lea and
Representative Slayden as members
The commission has at its disposal
$500, 200. of which 100000 was appro-
priated by congress, on condition that
the Red Cross raise an equal amount
by private subscription. The addi-
tional sum was made up by the follow
ing subscriptions: James A. Scrym-
ser, 100000; Mrs. Russell Sage, $780,
600; Mrs. Edward Fl. Hartman, $780,
600. and the Rockefeller Foundation,
500 900.
The new building. like most OF the
others in the stately group about it,
will be of white marble and the gen.
eral design of the structure. its facade,
columns, etc, will be on classic lines.
a parked terrace will raise the build
ing above the huge street level, and
wide marble steps will lead up to the
entrance. A row OF IL Corinthians
columns OF white marble will stretch
across the entire front of the struc-
lure, the capitals supporting the cop
per finished roof The massive bronze
entrance doors are one OF the strik-
ing features OF the architectural plans.
Within the high-arched vestibule a
+. flight OF broad marble stairs will lead
10 the second and third floors. On
the stairway landing a marble tablet
/ will be placed bearing the following
/ Insertion:
| "A memorial built by the govern.
ment OF the United States and patriotic
I citizens To The women of the north
and the women of the south held in
! lovinb memory by now united coun,
/ try, and that their labors 10 mitigate
/ the sufferirgs of the sick and wound
I ed in war may be forever perpetuated
. this memorial is dedicated 10 the serv'
I ice of the American Red Cross
! On this landing will also be placed
/ three categorical busts in white mar.
/ BILE. representing Faith, Hope and
Charity. All of the decorations will
be marked by dignity and simplicity
The extensive working quarters OH
J the three floors OF the building will be
equipped to accommodate all the
branches of the Red Cross, with Its
varied activities in peace and war
On the first floor large assembly roor
and library will take up all of one side
of the building. and will afford a meet.
ing place for the large gatherings