Ellsworth American., 1919-01-01
BUILD tilGHwAYs.
A Suggestion for National Liberty
Memorial.

the armlstice. from all parts of the eonntr.
came a spontaneous outburst OF feeling
that something big and worth whit
should be done TO commemorate the graft
tude OF the nation to those who hav
given their lives in The service of human
ity. With the coming OF peace this Ieel
ing is bound to grow IN intensity ant
crystaillze around some definite idea. On
thing is certain. The present age doei
not look with favor upon useless dispia!
in monuments and triumphal arches alon'
as means of doing honor to a useful life
The liberty memorial, regardless OF th'
special form it may ultimately assume
must be something useiufto The livilg ii
their every day life, something big ano
national in its scope, something moi
merely artistic and beautiful, but perms-
nent in character and stimulating to ma
tional grow and patriotism.
Suggestions have hitherto been largely
local in character and have taken the
form of memorial buildings, as eenters
OF civic development, triumphai arches
/ and bridges spanning mighty rivers be-
tween great cities and states.
Mr.. Frlck, OF New York, in refusing
to lend his sanction to such local and
pernicious forms of unrelated local me-
MORALS, sums up the situation with
I admira bic clearness and yigor: "Ail OF
our soldiers in this great war fought as
national army for common country
one for ali and all for one mighty
union, solid as rock in defense rof
national freedom. Ought we who re-
mained at home, even in praiseworthy
endeaVor to prove our undying gratitude,
do anything to apportion the credit be-
tween states, to say nothing OF innumer-
able towns ana viliages?"
Nothing local, then, which is not in
hensive system is adequate to meet the
requirements Of national memorial at
this stage of the nations progress.
1t has occurred to me that all these
worthy ends could be achieved il these
memorial bridges and connecting avenues
could be combined with the national
reservations and parks into one grand
comprehensive system of highways
embracing the whole couhtry. Because
OF the obvious help Of such a system in
promoting great enterprises, the project
should enlist the vigorous support of
manufacturing and commercial interests.
From its sentimental appeal to the
patriotism and gratitude of the nation. !
it is sure to gain the enthusiastic aid of /
historical and social organizations.
What this support has meant to any
worthy object, has been seen in the
results achieved by the various charity
organizations during the war.
The arrangement OF trunk lines and |
subsidiary branches, the method OF nam (
ing highways, parks and bridges after /
distinguished soldiers and statesmen, the (,
coordination of all details OF the general I
plan, should be placed in the hands of a
national commission composed of men of
recognized ability. This commission OBJ
viously invokes the full authority of the
national government and Involves an ap-
peal to both branches OF Congress for sp-
propriate legislation. Similar bodies
should be appointed in each state to CO.
operate with the national organization.
This BODY should also control interstate
motor licenses, which should also be
national in scope.
Such system of perfected highways
named in honor Of our martyred dead,
would ultimately change materially the
physical aspect Of the country and pro-
foundly affect the current of national life.
In its execution there is scope for every
variety of talent and ability, OF brain and
Drawn, OF zeal and enthusiasm. The plan
has the added merit of progressive use
fulness. While under construction, it is
still useful. With every extension its
utility is increased. In due time would be
opened up and made accessible to the ma
tion all the grandeur of the sea and
stream. With the revelation OF the great
out-of-doors, with its call from trees and
flowers, clear air and sunshine, will come
in Larger measure the inspiration to
nobler thoughts and the resultant moral
upiift SO clearly observed among the
"cultSo fOt AousS III iuc pay
grounds Of great cities.
In view OF the marvellous effects already
achieved ny progressive states through
improved highways, it requires no stretch
of the imagination to visualize some OF
| the results in health and enjoyment from
| freer intercourse, il this spontaneous
i gratitude to our soldiers for their sacri-
Aces "oyer there" could be transmitted
into an enterprise SO truly magnificent.
4 The sentiment OF the country, quite
aside from any consideration OF memo
rial, has long been ripe for such system OF
roads. The exigencies of war have DEM
onstrated the need and value Of better
means of communication. No other form
OF expenditure yields quicker returns in
dividends or satisfaction, or leaves q
deeper impress Of permanent prosperity.
This knowledge has come from the ex-
perience Of every community and accounts
for the rapid development OF highway i'm
provement once started in all parts OF ths
country. The Lincoln highway, stretch