Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-28
WILSON AND TAFT
LAY CORNERSTONE
President and Predecessor Take
Part in Ceremonies at Site of
Red Cross Building.
MEMORIAL FOR WOMEN OF WAR

WASHINGTON. March .t-Prcsidcut
Wilson and former President Taft take
part today IN the ceremonies OF LAYING
t.. corner stone OF the now Rcd Cross
building which is Co. be erected as a
memorial To tho women of the civil war
TN" new building Is to bc one of
group of stately strugturrs-th Curcorau
Ant gallery, the Pan-Amcrican building
and the Memorial HAN OF the Daughters
OF On, American Rcvouutiou-raciug the
wide sweep of grounds back of the state
Department and White House
The building ana site. provided by GOV
eminent appropriation and private sub
-erirtiou, will I've turned over in per
pctuity to the American Red Cross. Here
the organization will make its permau-
Dnt home, ana the building will house all
". the administrative officers In charge
cot Red Cross work The plans and con
structon are under fine control of com
mission headed by President Wilson, with
secretary Garrison. Senator Luke Lea
and Representative Slaydcu as members.
List of subscriptions.
The commission has ~ it, disposal
$4,000 Of which $40p,,op was appropriated
by congress, on condition that the Rcd
Cross raise an equal amount by private
subscription. The additional sum was
made mp of the Following subscriptions
James \. Scrvmscr SloNnu. Mrs. Russell
sage. $1,000; Mrs. Edward II. Harri-
man, 5000. TN" Rockefeller foundation,
$4,000
Tho now building like most of the
others in the stately -roup ahou, it. will
Ice of white marble and the general de
sign OF the structure, It's facade, columns.
etc. viii be on classic lines 4 parked
terrace will raise the building above the
street level. ana white marble steps will
lead w to the entrance. \ row of twelve
'orinthian columns II white marble win
stretch across the entire front Of the
structure, the capitals supporting the
copper finished roof Two massive bronze
entrance doors are Dnr Of the striking
loaturcres Of the architectural plans.
Inscription on Tablet.
Within the high-arcbcd vestibule a
flight Of broad marble stairs will lead
to the second and third floors. on the
stairway landing a marble tablet will be
placed hearing the following inscription:
"A memorial built by the government
of the United states and patriotic citizens
Of the South, held in loving memory by
now united country, and that their
labors TO mitigate the sufferings OF the
sick ana wounded in war may be forever
perpctuated. this memorial is dedicated
10 the service OF the American Red
Cross"
On this landing will also be placed three
alIogorical husts in white marble. repre-
soutIug Faith, Hope and Charity. All
ut the decorations win be marked by
dignity ana simplicity.
Working Rooms Well Equipped.
The extensive working quarters on 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 a
large assembly room and library Will take
mp all of one side of the building, and
will afford meeting place for the large
gatherings Of the orga nization. The CEN
trail committee Of the Red Cross will have
srecial quarters. The war, national and
international relief boards will each have
rooms particularly fitted for their spe-
,ial work. The army surgeon i'm charge
OF hospital field units and the enroll
mcnt OF doctors, the first aid instruction
department. the nurses enrolment bureau
the town and country nursing service, and
the Christmas seal division will all be
Uuartcred according to their needs
or the $4,000 available for the menu
orial, 1887, 90 was expended by the COM
mission in the purchase OF the site The
entire block surrounding the structure
Was acquired and it will be laid out in
parking, gardens and suitable approaches
Cnder the contract for the construction
of the building it will be completed and
ready for occupancy by April 20, 1916.