New-York tribune., 1919-09-04
Memorial Association Gives
1t Precedence Over Two
Other Projects; Funds
Are Asked For at Once
Eminent Men Approve
Home at Sycamore Hill Nav
Be Included in Project
to Honor the Colonel

Steps are to be taken immediately
Bay in memory Of Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt. The park ultimately may
include the Roosevelt home at Saga
moro Hill, which is to be preserved as
ls Washington's at Mount Vernon and
Llncoln's at Springfield, Ill.
Decision not to delay the creation
of the Oyster Bay memorial until
other memorial projects are agreed
upon was reached yesterday by the
Roosevelt Memorial Association
Chairmen of eight state committees
met at the Waldorf-Astoria. They
adopted recommendation by Colonel
William Boyce Thompson the national
chairman, that the collection Of funds
to start the Oyster Bay memorial
should begin at once
1t had been the intention to conduct
a drive during the week beginning Oc-
tobcr 20 for q S500000O fund. Colo
mel Thompson argued that the date
should be deferred and that contribu-
tlons without any special drive should
be collected now. He said that no de-
clsion should be made yet as to the
exact character of the two other
Roosevelt memorials which are pro
jccted.
Perkins Approves Speed
Approval OF the plan to start work
promptly on the Oyster Bay park was
voiced by George W. Perkins, chair
man Of the New York state committee"
Charles +. Hughes, and most of the
delegates FROM other states
Frank ]. Hogan, of Washington,
however, contended that the drive for
the S5,000,000 fund through public So
licitations and advertising should not
be abandoned. He declared that three
quarters of century elapsed before
a memorial to George Washington was
completed and that the memorial to
Lincoln is not finished yet.
The three memorials which the asso-
citation plans, Colonel Thompson said
are monument in Washington a
park in Oyster Bay and an incor-
porated society TO promote the de
veloDment and application of Roose-
fit Of the American people.
Memorial at Washington
at has been impossible in the time
for the memorial at Washington" said
Colonel Thompson. at has been thought
by many that the nature of the memorial
should be determined before money
is actually raised The park at Oyster
Bay is definitely planned; the cost
reasonably known. AS to the third OBJ
icctive the Incorporated society
there has been a wide divergence Of
opinion. 1t is the opinion of great
many that this phase of the memorial
should be emphasized. 1t has been
impossible in the time which has
elapsed to formulate satisfactorily any
exact plan TO that end"
Colonel Thompson also proposed that
the anniversary Of the birth of Colonel
Roosevelt be celebrated with memorial
meetings.
Hr. Hughes approved beginning the
Oyster Bay Park at once, while he
thought that more time should be al
lowed for working out the other plans
NOthlng IN bronze or brass or mar
bic can be so enduring as the tradition
Of that dynamic personality" said Mr.
hughes. "1here is no danger that time
VIII eHacc that tradition or render the
influoncc less important to the cOun-
try Mr.. Hughes SAID the building Of
Roosevelt memorials was a duty to the
future "We cannot enshrinc him; he
is enshrined," he said.
Mr.. Perkins, who presided, contended
that no amount Of money can in itself
add to or pcrpetuatc Roosevclt's fame"
Ihe all-lmportant object is to de-
wise memorial that will interpret his
life and ideals said MIR Perkins. ANY
thing that proved to be inadequate or
ephemeral would be unjust to him and
unfair to the country and would fail to
carry the inspiration of his spirit"
Colonel Thompson announced that
many public men in all sections of the
country were added to the executive
committee. Among them are DR.. Ben
jamin lde Wheeler, Horace f. Wilkin-
son, Henry l.. Stoddard, NJ. F. SNYDER.
Mayor of Los Angeles: Alton 3. Parker,
Frank A. Munsey, William McAdoo, Ole
Hanson, former Mayor of Seattle;
Judge Ebert II. Gary and William
Hamlin Chids