Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-21
CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY
IN WAR MEMORIAL PLANS
Appears Imminent us Result OF Diff
fcrcnt Constructions of Act Of
General Assembly.


conEict OF authority between the
State Library Board ana the state
War Memorial Commission In the
planning and construction of the pro-
posed S2,Op0.OU0 memorial to soldiers,
sailors ana women OF the late war
appears imminent over different con-
structions OF the act providing for
the building.
The act provides that the building
shall be- constructed under the joint
supervision OF the library board and
the State commission. which later
was created in the act itself. The
library board is permanent organi-
Tyic question Of difference has
arisen over the procedure in joint
supcrviS!on Some members of both
should 1c Il joint organization of the
two bodies to deal With this particu-
lar subject. Others contend that the
two organizations SHOULD maintain
their individual identity with their
respective chairmeu, ana that ac-
ton on this subject should be con
taken by Legislative bodies and lcSis-
lative committees.
Mills FnrorS Concurrent Action.
State Senator Morgan R-LMills, who
recently was elected chairman of the
War Memorial Commission, contends
that the commissions should retain
their individual identity andsact'con-
currently.
\, the first meeting of the war
commission. when Senator Mills was
elected chairman: .the question nt
brought up and discussed. and it
WAS decided to ask the Attorney
General for an ,opim ion. 1t was in,
already had indicated to mtnnbcrsi
that the babies should act concur
renify. ana that il would be proper
have it's chairman. and that Soint
chairman Is unnecessary.
Secretary Henry r. Mclllwainc- OF
tho, state Library Association. yes
meeting of the two bodies for SEP
tcmocr 81 The call indicated that
ono purpose OF the meeting is Ia
elect joint officers and organize the
TWO bodies into a joint organization.
The call was issued under instruc-i
ton Of Edmund Pendlcton. chairman
.nG ,oFS SIills 0d declared yesterday
that he had received a copy of In 5
call. but that he had not been cor
suited before the call was issued.
of the War Memorial Commission. lid
the fight for joint organization.
but mustered little support in that
call for an individual chairman so-
the war commission.
Back Meredith for Chairman
1t is understood that Mr.. Mcrs-
dith is being backed for the join,
chairmanship in the event il is de-
cidcd that the two commissions shall
act as one body in matters affecting
the memorial building.
While the DreliminarieS of organ
!zation. the transfer of deeds TO The
Ford Lot, on, which the building is
to be erected and the strip Oft the
Capitol Grounds conveyed to tho city
in exchange for the lot are being
completed. thcrcs~S considerable dis
cuSsion among members of both COM
missions as 10 the ACCESSIBILITY OF at
tempting TO finance the enterprise or
attempting TO erect the building a;
this time.
Interest on State bonds is limited
TO 3 l-2 per cent. This would make
1t difficult to place them TO advantage
at this time and. in addition to this,
II is pointed out that cost of labor
and material al this time are aimos:
prohihitive.
However, members of the commits
sion desire as early action as pos
sihle and is is expected that steps
VIII be taken To work out plans for
early construction following the Sep
cations.
Members of the War Memorial
CommiS sion are: Senators Morgan Il
Mills and c. Walter Alapp: Delegates
y. X. Fuller and Park Deans; Wynd-
nam y. Meredith and Edward J. VII
Governor Davis. The Senators a:.d
delegates were elected by the pre-
siding officers Of the two legislative
bodies. respectively.
Members of the State Library Board
are: Edmund pendleton, chairman;
Charles V; Meredith; Egbert G. Leigh,
stead c. Gordon. with Dr. Henry r.
Mel wainc, State Librarian. as ey
oulcio secretary.