The Washington times., 1919-02-03

APPROVEP PLAN
FOR IMPOSING
TRIUMPHARCH
ny BILL PRICE.

ny BILL PRICE.
Over zoo accredited delegates from
sixty civic organizations OF Washing
ton which have endorsed the project
for a great triumphRl arch, to com
memorste the heroism Of American
soldiers in foreign lands, will meet IN
the District building tomorrow night
to frame a petition to Congress by
which it is believed the plan will
eventually become a reality.
Col r. n. Harper, who has made
great strides toward success for the
arch, will lay before the gathering
his views as to the best methods 20
follow to obtain the assent Of Con
gress, carrying with IL ample appro-
priations for construction.
In his correspondence with govern.
ors OF States on the subject nineteen
chief executives Of American Com
monwealths have. specifically endorsed
and commended the project as one
that will appeal strongly TO the pa
tTiotism of all Americans and attain
national support. They agree with
Colonel Harper that such an arch
will be an inspiration to posterity and
an attraction that will bring people
here from all over the world.
what An Imposing Structure.
The delegates who will attend the
meeting and join in the memorial to
Congress for the construction of the
arch are united in the view that to
make it inspiring it should far out
strip in grandeur anything of the
kind in the world and should have
combined with its architectural and
historical features many practical
uses.
To this end the appeal to Congress
will not only propose a great trium-
phal arch, but the combination with
it Of a museum Of the wars records,
with especial emphasis on the Amer
ican participation in it; varieties OF
eli the implements of war used TO
slaughter mankind, paintings and
ether works of art. In addition to
Ibis would be a library and reading
Dms for the beneft of every sol |
0ier of the war coming TO Washing |
TOT and desiring a place to visit which |
he Tlight cal his own.
The triumphal arches of other |
countries Of the world do not contain |
such practical facilities as will be |
proposed. Many of them are large
and beautiful. but stand almost |
wholly as memorials of critical |
periods in the histories Of the respec- |
tive countries
Colonel Harper himself agrees with 4
suggestions that the proposed Wash |
ington arch shall contain facilities for /
the pleasure and usefulness Of Ameri- |
can soldiers and the public besides /
being Of towering architectural
beauty.
IL Would Cost $1,000. 900. /
Colonel Harper's consultation with /
architects and members Of the Fine \
Arts Commission as to the cost Of I
triumphal arch on the scale urged I
81 that it should not be less than !
$4,000, 600. Congress, il is believed,
viii prefer a memorial I'm keeping
with the country's dignity and /
greatness and would hesitate. If it !
endorses a memorial at all. TO ad-
Tocate a small, insignificant struc-
tune which soldiers and the general
public would laugh at To portray
the giant efforts OF the United
States in the war a memorial would
have TO be in keeping. q
TheDidea which viii probably be
presented to Congress by the unified
CIVIC bOcieS or Washington will be
the construction Of a great arch.
in some park or spanning some
street suitably inscribed to COM
the feats Of Americans.
At one end would be a spacious
library and reading rooms, with posi-
bly, other facilities for visiting SOL
Ciers, while at the other would be d
of wonderful historic value,
There has already been introduces
in the House bill for an arch Of
and sentiment there is said e.
be strong for such q memorial
II is Thoroughly understood by
W Washington orzanizs TORS that the I
eonsUmmation Of their plans may re
Guire long and patient work. but they !
believe that the earlier thcy get 80
work the quicker will success b ]
achieved. 4
The policy viii be 10 strike while -
the moment is propitious and while
the support Of soldiers is Whole-heart- I
ed and unanimous. PostpCnement and
delays will result in Iessening efforts.
So Congress is to be promptly ap- I
prfsed OF the desires Of the States, Of !
soldiers, and Of the general {
public.