Evening star., 1919-02-18
ARCH OF TRIUMPH
URGED BY Citizens
Appeal for Memorial to War
Heroes Presented to House
Committee.

I twenty S-HVG OefeSAlSS representing
civic organizations of the District ap-
peared before. the House committee on
public buildings and grounds today
and presented the petition asking Con-
gress to erect in the National Capital
an arch of triumph in memory of the
men who fought in the war against
Germany.
Robert N. Harper. president of the
Chamber Of Commerce. headed the deli
sgatioa and read the StitioH On mos
tion OF Representative Austin OF Taus
laeswee.sthe epmmittss yoksd 70 sp45oIrs
subccn1nn fttae to consider details OF
| the project ahd draw up bfIl- to be
presented to the full committee Thurs
day.
The committee agreed to state in the
bill that the cost of the memorial
shall not exceed s5.ooo.o00.
Citizens Resolution Read.
The fo1lbwing resolution, adopted at
joint citizens meeting in the Dis
trict building on February 4. was read
to the committee by Mr.. Harper:
BE it resolved. That in regular meet
ing assembled we most earnestly urge
upon the Congress of the United
States to take immediate and neces-
sary steps to provide for the erection
in the very near future, at the Nation s
Capital, of marble OF granite national
arch of triumph of such appropriate
historical design that it will in silent
eloquence tell to all future genera
tions the story of liberty to the
nd he nf
from all the states for the invalua BILE
services rendered in making the world
safe for democracy"
Mr. Harper's Statement.
After reading the resolution Mr..
Harper added:
which should include within itself
an appropriate museum and library
we look upon as most fitting as
demonstrating the appreciation it is
judgment. it should be thought a dis
play of greater wisdom to erect an
appropriate memorial for vet Grams
of all wars" but especially in COM
memoration of freedom to the world
and the heroism of our boys in the
great world war, we would feel that
the same object has been accom-
plished as sought through the above
resolution, but in no way should the
heroism of our boys be commerciaHzed
ture for general or common use.
civilized nations in all ages, said
Mr.. Harper, have paid tribute to the
soldiers who risked their lives to de-
fend their countries, and the United
States has not been slow to show this
respect.
Cites Washington Monument.
The Washington Monument was
erected at cost of $1,500,000, Mr..
Harper pointed out to commemorate
the first President. The Lincoln
Memorial was built at A cost of S3,-
200 10000 600 to inmortalize another great
American.
.SThese two great and lasting me-
MORALS sprang from an overf1owipg
appreciation on the part Of the Amer
ican people, not only in recognition
nf The patriotism and valor Of past
genera tions, but also as an inspira-
tion and incentive for generations yet
to come.
"No greater demand has yet come
to any people or to any generation
than that which came to this country,
almost without warning, and was re-
sr,onded to by the unhesitating, enthu-
brave boys Hom every part of the re-
pubUc to rid our government of it's
greatest menace and to insure the
freedom of the people of the world
In appreciation of the sacrifice Of these
heroes, both here and across the sea,
some kind of public acknowledgment
should be made by grateful people
which shall be a perpetual memorial
OF this generation to those which may
follow to the courage, patriotism and
achievement of those who were par
ties to the winning of the greatest
victory of all time
Heroes of Other Wars Honored.
"As Congress has recognized it's
heroes in other wars and has given
substantial evidence Of appreciation
in suitable memorials, this appeal is
surely not unreasonable and it will
meet hearty response from every
loyal American. This recognition
should be given while those who
made the sacrifice yet live. Congress
should not leave to future genera
tions the expression Of its gratitude
h,,t CHI