New-York tribune., 1919-09-20
Project Is for a SIS, 900, 900
Structure. OH Pershing
Square in Honor of New
Workers Who Died in War
Subscriptions for Fund
Huge Auditorium, Swimming
Pool, Gymnasium and
Playground Arranged For

A plan to build "Victory Hall" COM
memorative of New York men and
wrmen who lost their lives in the war
was suggested yesterday at luncheon
at which Cardinal Mercicr was a guest
at the Bankers Club. The plan is to
erect the building on Pershing Square,
the site of the old Grand Union Hotel.
1T was outlined by Brigadicr General
George w. Wingate who heads COM
mittee that evolved the project Ani
arranged the luncheon. Cardinal Mercicr
spoke in favor q the plan.
The cost of such building, General
Wingate said, would be about SIS 900, 900.
1T is purposed to construct it on the
eastern half Of the square only. and
that property, he estimated, would be
bought from the city for 50 100000. If
1t was found necessary to purchase the
western half of the square also. ne
estimated the total cost at $1000O,o 600
TO Raise Fund by Campaign
1t was not the intention, he said, to
raise the money by taxation, but to put
the entire matter in the hands of a
com.nittec of interested citizens who
would circulate Subscription lists and
when the building was completed oper-
ate it jointly with the city, as is done
IN the case Of the metropolitan Mu-
scum Of Art and tho American Museum
building as planned in the following
words:
The idea which the committee pro-
poses is that the building shall con-
tain on the level of Forty-tirst and
forty-second streets an exhibition hall
thlrty feet high. covering the entire
BLOCK. with the exception OF the cle-
vators and stairc&scs. which viii have
entrances on alt sides. This hall will
permit of display Of all kinds and will
allow space FOR automobiles. engineer
ng and electrical shows and similar
exhibitions
"The basement will contain q swim
ming pool 80 feet wide and 180 feet
long with gallery seating about 5000
persons: dressing and locker rooms for
the athletes who may participate in
athletic exercises; a gymnasium a rife
range with City targets for the use of
hlgh school, boys in training; storage
room for movable seats to be used in
the convention hall, and other facilities.
Auditorium on Second Floor
"Thc Fourth Avenue front of the
building incorporates a triumphal arch.
! ne SECOND StCIN Will De on leVel
with the Fourth Avenue esplanade and
will be connected with it by plaza.
which Will permit the entrance of
procession. Ii VIII contain a great
auditorium, which will be in the form
of an amphitheatre so feet in height
"This auditorium will seat 5000
people and Will have an oval arena 1870
feet wide and 200 feet long. bounded By
a running track of ten laps to the
mile. The roof will be sustained by
horizontal girdcrs thirty feet deep
The space between the cirdcrs will be
divided into rooms to be used by the
G. A. r.. American Legion. Boz
Scouts and for other semi-Dublic pur-
poses.
"Thc roof of the building will be
fat and incloacd and rooted with wire
netting. supported By posts surmounted
b. electric lights 50 as to constitute
large childron's playground. 1t also
can be used for horticultural and agri-
cultural exhibits and open air con-
certs.
ION the walls will be placed bronze
tablets bearing the name Of each Of the
New y or! soldiers, sailors, marines and
men and women belonging to the Red
Cross, Salvation army, y. NJ. c. A..
Knights OF Columbus, Hebrew Young
Mems Association. nurses and others
who have died i'll the scrvicc.'