Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-08
Wednesday, January 8, 1919.
Memorials to Soldiers

Memorials to Soldiers
There are places that reed parks
There are otEcr places that need
fairgrounds Many communities
suffer from lack OF hospital facilities.
Others have poor r,akeshifts for pub
lie Libraries. Still others are pegging
along with antiquated and inadequate
school buildings.
In scores Of places thus situated We
find monuments" COMMUNICATING
local participation IN the civil war or
the brief Cuban campaign. And IN
nearly every instance these memorials
are never noticed, except when the
speakers platform Is built near at
hand on the Fourth Of July. Even
then they excite less attention than
the town clock. And In the end a
bronze tablet can bear record to all
that recd be said Of the part played
Dy these who willingly went out to
dceced the institution Of freedom.
TIE surroundings Of this tablet.
then. might we'll be the first consid-
cratic: OF every committee appointed
for the purpose Of planning a mem
Gvial. It is 4 matter which presents
countless opportunities for combining
= real service to the present and the
future with a merited tribute to new
and glorious chapter in the past.
And We believe the American SOL
der himself would be the first to
commend such n course.
He fought that children might have
u chance to grow into fuller and bet
ter manhood and womanhood. He
waged war for health and education
and ability to make living just IS
much as for the ideals based upon
these necessary material foundations.
What could more fifty commemorate
his service than useful memorials,
which can be beautiful as wcll:-
Philadelphia North American.
Ten thousand cities and towns are
considering the problem Of soldiers
memorials. Deciding the form is
more difficult than raising the fund.
Everybod. is ready to do his or her
part to commemorate the valor Of
the brave sons who served. and those
who wished to serve but were denied
the privilege by physical require
nients or the fortunes Of service as
signment. The hero sleeping in the
soil OF France is no more entitled to
memorial honors than is the youth
whose unit failed to leave the caa-
torment in this country. The Honor
Lists must not discriminate.
But the food Of ideas for appro-
pirate memorial is confusing. The
range IS from plain tablets in exis.
ing public buildings. on through the
Old monument practice to community
parks and varied time-defying testi-
monials. OF late. we note the tenden-
cy toward useful" tributes. some
practical advance toward common
progress. living inspiration to those
who come after, to higher conception
OF patriotism and duty Some Of
these embody beauty in landscape a.
part OF towns more practical"
structure - school buildings and
grounds. libraries. community CEN
ters. highways. and club houses.
But one Of the best thus far coming
to our notice, it seems to US, Is de.
scribed in the above-quoted contem.
porary. Of Pennsylvania CON.
munity:
Catasauqua intends TO remind future
generations Of the pant its youth playe,i
~ tne eatern!ination OF au.ocracy Tn
Nke most Of the others. however. IL
already has outlined its aim and is nrc-
ceeding TO the accom- plishmen, thereof.
Sdtasauqua made an cnviable name
1os user py seiiinS, It's fourth Liberty
Loan goal at 100000 and reacbins
It; Its 5000 people thus set a pace
which. had it been followed hv the
country as whole would have resulted
n total subscription OF some $1,000.
",Wo to that issue. That showed
soldiers memorial indicates a degree
OF Intelligence which any communist
might co"et-ard TO which any save the
most moribund may attain.
IS to have monument. hut not OF the
ordinary type. NO marble shaft vii.
decorate some little square; no stone
h:n;'E VIII Challenge the curiosity-and
PV'''fS t'ie HiilItS-Ol coming genera
mons.
Al a crowded town meeting held some
"ccKs ago This question vas offered
Shali We have monument or a MEM
orial house which Will bc a real COM
runitJ center
The banhers and iron workers.
preachers and puddle-s, Red Cross
women AID cement Burners proce EIDE
10 vote on the proposition, ana the mon
ument got go little support that its
champions preferred to let their ballots
80 uncounted. SO this is .hc plan they
will follow
Every person in the community will
the Memorial Society. The dues will
be !. 2, 3. I and 5 cents day for period
o. five years-from $3.65 to SIS Is year
With this money thus obtained will be
bail. house to cost about $l25.lN. 1t
viii contain an auditorium, recreation
rooms. gymnasium and swimming pool.
and a hall for war records: in which
the names OF the men who went out
from that community.
The property will be held by n board
o: trustees. chosen for life, and man
aged by a board Of governors. elected
by the subscribers. The idea is to make
!, the heart and center, Of community
life IN CatasauQua-a place owned by
the people where the people may gather
at will Tor physical and mental adj
vanccment and the pursuit Of profitable
pleasures.
On Thanksgiving day and other ma
tional occasions the churches Of the
borough will be expected to join in
the gymnasium will be held dances, and
there will be sings and all manner Of
festal gatherings. And the auditorium
will provide an ideal place for lectures.