Evening star., 1921-11-11
origin OF H0NORS
T0.UN|KNOWN DEAD
Provision Made by Congress
for Burial of Unidentified
Soldier in Arlington.
BILL SIGNED MARCH a, '21
Measure introduced in House De-
cember 81. 1920, by Repre-
sentative Hamilton Fish, Jr.

The proposal to bury in Arlington
cemetery one of the unidentified
dead American soldiers who gave
their lives in France during the world
war was first formally launched here
December 81, 1920. when Representa-
tive Hamilton Fish. jr.. introduced a
joint resolution directing the Secre
tary Of War to bring the body of such
a soldier to this country for burial
with appropriate ceremonies in the
amphitheatre at Arlington.
The English and the French had al
ready adopted this plan of doing honor
to all their soldiers, through the hon
oring of an unknown dead soldier In
England the unknown soldier dead
lies buried in Westminster Abbey. and
in France in the shadow of the Arc de
Triumphe.
Plan Quickly Approved.
The plan proposed by Mr.. Fish won
ready approval. There had been an
earlier suggestion that the unidenti-
fed dead soldier be buried in New
York. but this was abandoned and the
preference given to Arlington, the
! national military cemetery. The reso-
luton was reported favorably from
he House military affairs committee.
passed by the House and was given
early and favorable consideration 10y
the Senate, Senator WadSworth of
New York, chairman Of the military
affairs committee taking charge Of
the measure in that body. The reso-
luton was one of the last measures
presented to former President Wilson
for his approval, and was signed by
him on March last.
When the matter was taken up by
Congress, Secretary Baker, then head
of the War Department. gave his ap-
proval to the plan and pointed out
that in order to carry out the pro
visions of the resolution in fitting
form it would be necessary to expend
money and that an appropriation
would be needed. He gave Congress
detailed estimate Of what 1t would
cost to bring the body to America
with fitting honors. and troops 10
Washington, along with representa-
tives of former service men, totalinS
about s1s1,000,00o.
Date First Chosen.
1t was at first planned to have the
ceremonies at Arlington on May 80
last. Decoration day. 1t was pointed
out, however, by Lieut.. Col. Charles {.
Pierce. chief of the cemeterial dlNl-
identifying the dead in France, and
that if a premature selection was
made of a body to bury in Arlington
it might later be identified, and IN"
entire plan to honor-through the un-
known dead-the American ARM
and Navy of the world war would b"
defeated. At that time. he said, there
were only 1897 unidentified dead in
France, and this number might be
considerably lowered. He suggested
that the ceremonies be postponed at
least until November IL. Armistice
day, and this plan was adopted.
Col. Pierce also recommended that
all the unidentified dead be brought
from France to this country and
buried with the honors proposed to
be given the single representative Of
the unknown dead. Every mother
who had lost a son, he said. and who
had no knowledge of his where
then would have shrine in Wash
ington to which she could make Il
pilgrimage.
Adhere to Original Plan.
The original plan of selecting one
of the unidentified dead in France
was adhered to. however. and is to-
, day being carried out. The present
Congress was called upon to make ap-
propriations for the return of the
dead body to America and the cere-
] monies here. Secretary Weeks also
submitted an estimate of the cost,
| amounting to s175.000. but Congress
would not agree to such large ap-
preparation, and finally put through
! resolution providing $4,000. This
T; meant a considerably reduced pro-
gram from that originally outlined by
Secretary Baker and later by Secre-
| tary Weeks.