Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-10-28
BELLS OF PEACE-By Frederic j. Haskin

mold centennial C6lGDrdLlOn OF CnlS event
there in 1914, but the world war interfered.
The use of the carlton spread from Bel
GUM and Holland to France Italy and finally
to England, where the carlton in recent Years
mas become very popular. The English bell
founders are now recognized as the best in
the world, and 1t is with an English firm
which has been making bells for several gem
eratiOns, that the promoters of the American
project are now in correspondence They
asked for an estimate and received one which
they rejected on the ground that it was too
modest The English bellmakers are now
understood to be preparing estimate for a
carlton greater than any now in existence.
1t will have fiftyfOur bells, which is said to
be two more than any existing carlton con-
tains. Its largest bell will weigh over 10000
pounds and will probably be the greatest bell
in existence, while the smallest will perhaps
weigh not more than twenty pounds.
1t should not be imagined that the music
Oh the carlton is sort which it takes much
education to appreciate. All kinds of tunes
are played on the big bells, popular as well
as classical. When President Wilson was
touring Belgium, Josef Denyn plaved at a
special carlton concert in his honor at Meek
lin, and there The Star SpangIed Rannnr''
was played on carlton probably for the first
time. Those who heard it say that the great
bells made the national song more impressive
than ever did a brass band.
In order to make this true memorial of
the idea are asking all of the allied govern
ments to contribute some material connected
with the war to be used on the construction
or the tower. Thus Belgium is expected to
contribute some stones from the great cathe-
dralS which were shattered by German guns
A bill has been introduced in congress appro-
prIatng copper and brass salvaged from
European battlefelds for use in the making of
the bells. This, however, is more of a senti-
mental notion than practical expedient, as
10 mot oil no A11c
purest, and it is not known whether the war
relics will serve the purpose.
In order to make the memorial truly ma
uonal one, the money will be raised by popu-
lar subscription as far as possible, though it
is limited that money is also forthcoming In
large chunks. Every state in the union, the
District Of Columbia, Porto Rico, the Philip
pine Islands and Hawaii will each be asked
to raise money for the making of one bell, so
that every part Of America will be repre-
sented
The most important phase of the project is
that itTepresents an attempt to play in Amer
lea for the first time good music which is
accessible to all. Of this heretofore we have
had very little In most European countries
the highest musical ability is to be heard in
concerts which are free, or which may be
heard for very low prices. Even in Latin
America, in the turbulent little countries of
the West Indies and Central America, nearly
every city has it's band of genuine merit under
a competent director, which plays weekly in
the plaza. You can hear better music free in
San Juan, Porto Rico, than you can in Chi
cago. All of the best musical ability in this
country is tied up by the big opera companies
and sold at from one to fifteen dollars seat.
Our democratic ideals do not extend to music.
The carlton will furnish a sort of music
which cannot be capitalized, Incorporated or
sold. The promoters believe that if one is
erected at the national capital, other cities
fhn hal 0
will raise popular music to new level in
America.