The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-04-04


diers and saiIors-Many Communi-
ties Favor the Idea.
Soldiers memorials In the form of
community buildings, dedicated to
civic and social uses, and, wherever
possible, built with bonds Of the fifth
Liberty loan. are urged by the bureau
of education, department of the inte-
rior, In a circular sent to every school
community In the United States.
A number of communities have al
ready concluded that building, In
constant use as u reminder of the
sacrifice made by the soldiers and
sailors Of the great war, Is more ap-
propriate and enduring than the con-
ventional graveyard monument.
There is n, growing conviction" says
DR.. Henry Il. Jackson, author of the
bureaus circular, "that the conven-
tional stone shaft, placed in grave
yard among the dead, is not fitting
memorial to those who died for Free
dom. The suggestion, made both in
MORALS take the form of community
buildings, dedicated to civic and social
uses, Is obviously wise and Ought to
meet universal approval. On the walls
of such building should hang a
bronze tablet containing the names Of
each community's martyrs to liberty.
The Roll Of Honor.
"This type of memorial will guar
antee that no boy who gave his life
for Justice and freedom will be forgot
ten. The number of American lives
lost In this war Is very small in COM
parison to those lost In the Civil war.
IL community lost only three or four,
1t might not think 1t worth while to
build monument. But a community
building Is needed entirely apart from
its memorial purpose. The chief ad-
vantage Of this type of memorial how
ever, Is not that 1t is economical, but
that 1t keeps green an inspiring mem
ory, and 1t seeks to put into operation,
through its civic and social activities.
the ideals for which our boys fought
in France.
Funds for this purpose could be
raised more easily If they were raised
In the form of Liberty bonds during
the fifth loan, which Is to come In the
spring. The bonds can be used as
money when the time comes to build.
Thus community can serve itself,
while, Mt the same time 1t Is rendering
a national service. BY this method
more money for the government could
be raised than by any other. Not only
would many individuals gladly contrib
ute an extra bond or two for the bene-
fit of their local community, but many
who are unable to do this could pool
their small gifts and contribute to
bond. Likewise, entertainments and
social activities can be utilized to raise
money for the same purpose. Oppor-
tunity should be given for as many as
possible to have a part In the enter
prise. For men to contribute outright
a few Liberty bonds to local com
munity cause will help to dispel the
delusion that man is doing anything
especially generous when he puts his
money into an investment which offers
the best security In the world and
fair rate of interest. To couple the
fifth loan with free gifts and soldiers
memorials will make 1t in real sense
q Victory loan. 1t will be much more
than this. 1t will be reconstruction
loan.
Should BE the School.
wherever possible this community |
II cmorial building ought to be the pub
lie schoolhOuse, In order to prevent |
needless waste through duplication. |
II Is the logical community center. It |
Is nonpartisan, nonsectarian and nom
exclusive. 1t Is owned and operated |
by all the people and therefore fur
nishes a platform on which all can |
meet on terms of self-respect. The
schOolhouse could be remodeled or en- |
lareed or replaced by new one. 1t Is |
the natural capitol and clubhouse of |
every community. In rural districts
small schools should Of course be con- |
solidated In order to eliminate waste |
and secure community large enough |
to support the kind Of building here
"The clubhouse ought to be used |
for this purpose wherever possible. |
IL In any place the school officials are |
and unawake to their |
opportunity, then an independent |
building ought to be erected. Institu-
tions are made for the people, not the |
people for institutions. Let us use
whatever means are available for our
purpose. But there is no need for any
to submit to backward
looking board Of school directors The |
schools belong to the people and 1t is |
their privilege to compel school off, |
cinls to be their public servants and |
execute their will"
In his foreword to the bureaus cir
cular, Commissioner Claxton states |
that the bureau Of education will glad
" join with other agencies In stimu-
ating the erection OF memorials OF this /