The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-06
OPINIONS DIFFER ON
HISTORY OF HEROES
Dr..Young's Plan to Form Pub
fishing Association Not
Generally Approved.
MANY MEN GIVE VIEWS
Daniels Says Navy Is Preserv-
ing Data-Butler Sees Con-
flict With Army Records.

Tho Rev. DR.. s. Edward Young, VINO
suggested in a sermon recently tnat an
association should be formed TOT the
purpose Of publishing ana distrlou'Ine
nm individual history OF every America,
soldier and sailor killed in the war, anu
who asked many well known men ior
their opinions, has received Interesting
,enlies the general tone of which Is
unfayorable to the idea for practical
reasons. Some Of the replies follow:
Secretary Daniels--I am glad to ao-
wise YOU that the Navy Department Is
preserving all the data concerning inc
present war to the end that history
may eventually be written.
William Dean IIowells--four notion
Is most opportune and important ana
wish I had any useful sugga-"ohs CON-
corning IT,
Dr. Henry van Dyke-The idea your
enclosure suggests seems to me to De
excellent, providing you can get q
thoroughly good man to do the work OF
compiling the historical data.
Senator Lodge--lt would seem to me
doubtful II the creation OF committees
or organizations would he necessary.
Major August Belmont-The TASK
which YOU propose to undertake seems
to be SO stupendous and woulo requII .
such an enormous clerical force tha'
the cost. in my opinion, must be pro-
hibtive.
Franklin D Roosevelt-It seems to
me. offhand. that II such work IS TO
be done it should be done by the Gov.
ernment itself.
Maior-Cen. Leonard Wood-It is my
belief that the best way to handle the
whole matter would be through the State
historical societies.
Cleveland II. Dodge do not see
that large volume would serve any
particular use. II such work as has
heen proposed Is deemed advisable
Should thing It ought to be taken uI
by some organization already In ex
istence.
Maior-Gen. ]. Franklin Bell-Ther'
can be no question of the value or the
work provided that precautions bt
taken to ensure complete freedom from
commercialism. for reliability and FOL
brevity in presenting the facts.
Elihu Root do not think it practi
cable. In the first place you could no
get the money. | should say anywhere
/fiom $4,000, 900 TO s100.000.000 woulC
be necessary doubt If you realiz,
the enormous amount of labor in do
ing anything three or four million
times | think the subject must be lief
to the records of the Government.
Senator Hoke SMITH appreciate
your views and fully agree with you
suggestions.
Booth TarkinEton-I can only suppose
that each State might best take VI
the matter separately. as the task cen
trallized would seem TO be OF dismay
ing proportions.
Nicholas Murray Buttler-Such Al
undertaking is certainly admirable blu
] am wondering whether the materia
FOR it will not be on file in the record
of the War Department and whethe
it will be necessary or desirable I
duplicate these official rolls.
William Fellowes Morgan-There
a question in my mind whether the de
STABILITY will justify the expense.
otto n. kahn-The thought you pu
forward is a fine one. 7 hope your plal
will he carried into effect
John Grier Hibben-I approve YER
heartily of your efforts to compile a
individual history of the soldiers an
sailors that have given their lives 4
this war
DIR. Lyman Ahbott-It would he a
excellent piece Of work for the y. n
g. \. TO undertake but | suppose thei
hands are full | should doubt the ad
visibility OF such an organization.
Charles T. Hughes--Of course 1t wi
be desirable at some time TO undertak
the compilation Of such n history.
Or. Young mas asked persons VIII
favor the idea in various parts of tn
country 70 consider its phases and {
act as AN advisory committee