The Colorado statesman., 1917-02-24

Partisan Spirit Disappears.
When the note came from the other
side, however, and America was told
that neutral ships were to be sunk
without warning provided they came
within the limits of certain prohibited
sea zones, the whole demeanor of
congress changed. The Democratic
leader of the house rose in his seat
and said he believed 1t was unneces-
sary to ask that at this hour all par
tisan considerations be given over and
that the house no longer be considered
as divided into party groups, but as
forming only one group, and that
group an all-American one.
In the senate two days prior to the
receipt of the note from Germany,
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, one of the sharpest critics of
the administrations attitude toward
the League to Enforce Peace and the
general subject of Americas relations
with the other great powers of the
world, had announced his intention of
addressing the senate on the matter at
certain hour and day.
The day and the hour arrived for the
Lodge speech, but only a few hours
earlier had come the startling ukase
of the German naval authorities,
backed, of course, by the German gov
ernment. There were those who
thought Senator Lodge might forego
his speech. but apparently he consid-
cred there was no necessity for so
doing, but when he did rise to address
the senate he said he wanted it un-
derstood that in this hour of tension
and possible peril no word should pass
his lips which might embarrass the ad-
ministration In the discharge of its
duty to the American people.
Only by indirection was the acute
situation touched upon by any member
of congress throughout the debate on
the day when no man knew what an
hour might bring forth.
Two Great Buildings Planned.
In the national capital almost un-
questlOnably there will be erected
before long two huge buildings
which perhaps more than any of the
other national structures will be at the
immediate personal service of the peo-
pie.
A year or so ago congress made an
appropriation for the purchase of some
land at Il prominent corner of the city
on the south side of Pennsylvania ave
nue.. 1t is expected that partly by
government aid and partly by general
contributions there will be erected on
this site great building to be known
nc "A in trfn Memorial
hall.
AS in the case of good many other
things of which sentiment is the basis,
the influence of woman is responsible
for this project of memorial to the
Father of his Country. 1t is intended
that this structure shall be for the use
of American organizations who desire
to hold services or conventions in the
city of Washington to which they wish
shall be given national Significance
Washington has no great convention
hall worthy of the name. There is
market building which has in its sec
ond story Il great barnlike hall where
occasionally big meetings are held. Its
acoustic properties are of the worst.
Once in while lecture is given in
the place by some American whom
thousands of persons wish to hear. One
noted American faced an audience on
one occasion which completely filled
the huge hall. Before he was half
through his address his audience had
dwindled to a few persons, who were
near the platform, for not word that
was spoken could be heard by those
back of the middle of the hall.