New-York tribune., 1919-12-06
The War Memorial

The removal Of the Victory Arch
from Madison Square marks the
passing of this temporary memorial
of the Great War. We assume and
trust that we have witnessed the
end Of all effort to place the perma-
nent memorial in this egregiously
unsuitable spot.
What is the city's committee doing
toward devising a fitting idea and
proper location and plan? We can
conceive of no method as promising
as thet suggested by the Fine Arts
Federation-a preliminary contest
of ideas in which every one, whether
technically trained in architecture or
sculpture or not, could enter. AS
we have remarked before, it is a
great conception, the imaginative
creation of vast and compelling
idea. that must first be achieved.
Thereafter, when the decision has
been reached, the contest of experts
can be begun.
AS an indication of the sort of
suggestions which we think should be
solicited by the committee, and of the
field Of ideas that should be can
vassed before a final decision is
reached, we print the following in
teresting letter from a reader:
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: have seen various proposals
for a war memorial in this city, but
none that seems to me as fitting as
the use of the aqueduct lake area in
Central Park as great playground,
with splendid monument at its en-
trance. This lake IS now useless,
understand. 1t could readily be
drained, filled and leveled. In con-
nection with it great architect could
surely devise an architectural ap-
proach and setting that would consti-
tute a highly fitting and command
ing memorial. The high ground at
its lower end offers an exceptional
opportunity for an arch of victory or
a colonnade, or whatever other monu-
ment might seem best. The north
ern entrance could be similarly
treated if it seemed desirable.
1t is in the minds of our youth
that we should especially aim to
keep green the great deeds of the
war 1t seems to me especially fit
ting that the memorial should be an
integral part of a playground, for one
Of the great lessons of the war has
been the need of strong bodies and
stout hearts if we would be strong
men and our nation a great nation.
! A monument SO placed, with suitable
approaches, would take not a foot
from the present area Of park space
1t would by reason of it's high site
command the whole park and greet
! the eyes of every user of the park.
1t would be the center of the whole
city. II would be above al! a re-
n!inder to our boys and girls using
the playground that theirs is sacred
obligation to keep their bodies strong
and their hearts courageous and their
wills tempered against a future that
may hold another test like that which
tried the generations of the Great
War.
hope that this suggestion will be
duly considered by the committee in
charge. J. w.
New York, Dec s, 1919.
There is plainly mucn to commend!
this proposal. Such Il monuna ut
would far surpass any bridge across
the Hudson in emotional appeal and
fitness to the occasion. We believe a
somewhat similar proposal was made
for using the lake area as menu
ment to Mayor Mitchell. 1t is surely
deserving of careful consideration.
We are glad to present the sugges-
tion for debate and criticism, and
shall be glad to print any other pro-
posals that our readers may care to
submit.