Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-03-05
WILSON SIGNS
CLAIM MEASURE
V. M. I. Will Erect New
StoneWall Jackson Hall
With 100000
MANY BENEFICIARIES
Great Praise Given Virginia Senators
and Representatives for Their
Successful Efforts.

WASHINGTON. March 5.-Preslhen'
Wilson signed the bill appropriatins
100000 to pay the war clam OF 'n'
Virginia Military Institute tofe.ne'
with those Of many churches ana III
d;viduals in Virginia, yesterday
morning with special pen which VIII
he mounted in the library OF the n
stirute, The board Of visitors mas
l,een called to meet in Lexington on
March ls to take up the question o!
eypending the fund provided. i Is
manned to extend the present Jack
son Hall as a part Of the barracks
thus adding about 10 rooms, ana
with the Federal appropriation :"
erect a new Stoncwall Jackson Hall.
Local members of the board OF vlsl"
tors were in jubilant mood yesterday
at the success Of the long fight, no'
only Tor the reparation which th'';
fund brings to the institute, but also
for The recognition that it carries
with it that the burning Of the lnsi'-
tute buildings by Hunters raid IN the
Valley was an act of pure vandalism
Doy countenanced by any of The rules
or ,;,.;li1oI wa nrfarp
The bill has been before Congress
for years, but has in each session
failed of passage by the narroWest
margin. This year the organization
was complete The entire Virginia
delegation took part in the fight, the
lore Republican member lending val
uaDle aid.
The bill was in charge Of Senator
Martin in the Senate and RepreSen-
tatire Flood IN the House, The instl-
tu1e being located in Mr.. Floods dis
trict. In the final hours Of the ses-
sion when it was planned to cali the
bill up in the House. the floor was
blocked off by divisions. each mem
ber of the Virginia delegation being
responsible for interviewing some 4o
members and seeing how they stood.
The actual vote was known before
the motion was made to call up the
bill
Early Yesterday morning Colonel
Joseph Button, State Commissioner
Of insurance, and Il member Of the
Virginia Military Institute board. go:
into communication with Senator
Martin. At his suggestion special
pen was provided, and while the Pres
ident sat in his room at the Capitol
signing bills. surrounded by his Cab
met. the engrossed bill was prepared.
and at 1l:20 o'clock yesterday morn.
ing President Wilson affixed his sig
nature, Just forty minutes before the
session Of Congress ca - 70 An end.
An account Of the passage Of the
bill with some reference to those who
aided in the work. notably General
Harry A. du Pont, of Delaware, will
he drawn up and framed with the
pen and hung in the library at the
institute. 1t was General du Pont
who stated on the floor Of the SEN
ate that his command under strong
protest burned the institute buildings
at the order of General Hunter.
Plans for the expenditure Of the
money are already well under way.
Some years ago the board Of the in
stitute employed firm of engineers
to make a Typographical survey Of
the grounds and prepare complete
p1anS for the relocation Of buildings
and the extension of the plant. I'm
der this plan, which was adopted by
the State. the parade ground has been
doubled, and several buildings have
been erected. The 100000 from the
government will permit Of a continual
ton Of the definite plan already
agreed upon, the new Jackson Hall
being an essential part Of the scheme
outlined. So