The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-21
er1lBa441lNuHDssl

Washington, Oct. 21. - With the momentous international conference called by President Harding for Arm istice Day only few weeks off, a new note has been injected into the pro- fessional conversation of that num- erouS and just1y-ce1ebrated species, the 1eather-1unged skipper of the Washington "rubber-neck" wagon.
 Cock your ear in the direction of Seventeenth and B streets, Northwest, and you speedily realize that the forthcoming conference on the litni- tation of arguments is already prev ing a benedcfent influence, at least so far the owners of the sightseeing , bus lines are concerned. Almost any hour of the day you will find one of these well-loaded vehicles drawn up at the curb, with tourists.
 "On your right, ladies and gents. you see the paIatia1 marble structure of the Pan-American Union; the edi- flee which has been chosen by Prest- dent Harding and the King of Japan for the conference on the limitation of armament! It is the home of the twen- ty-one American republics, gractously loaned by them for the occasion. Dedi- ceted to the cause of peace, and com monly regarded as the most beautiful structure in the national capital, It's selection is deemed peculiarly fitting and appropriate. Kindly step down, ladies and gents, that we may view the interior"
 Ideal Meeting Place.
 Though it is scarcely proper to say that the King of Japan or any other son of Nippon had a part in the selec- ton of the Pan-American Union as a seat for the conference, the lecturer" was not far wrong in his other state ments. IConnoisseurs do not hesitate to pronounce the building the most beautiful in washington, and 1t Is doubtful if a seat more suited for the conference by history and connota1on could have been found anywhere in the world.
 The very conception of the Pan American Union was born of an tn- spiration toward peace; the building was dedicated to peace; and when the semble on November Ii around the great mahogany table in the Hall of the Americans most prominently be- fore their eyes will be the four huge plaques, inscribed with the word ''pax," which form almost the sole mural decoration of that lofty chamber
 The late Andrew Carnegie, whose muniflcent gift made the institution possible, summed up it's purpose In his address before the President Of the United States and the diplomatic rep resentatives of the twenty Lattn- American republics which with the United States comprise the Pan American Union. Concluding his re- marks at the dedication ceremonies held on April 26, 1910. he said;
 ADOi1Sn
 s'I now join in iedicating this home of the Bureau of the American Re pubIics to the highest of all it's mis- sions-the abolition of the crime of killing man by man as means of settling international disputes"
 Long before the League of Nations was thought of the Pan = American Union was a going concern. At the International Bureau of the American Republics 1t was established in 1890 at the First International Conference of American Nations, called upon the initiative of James G. Blaine and held in this city. It was reorganized, en- larsed and given new life by the Third Conference, held at Rio de Janefroand attended by Elihu Root in 1906.
 It Is in no sense Q subordinate bureau of the United States or any other Government, except that 1t is equally subordinate to all. Its control rests in a governing board composed of the diplomatic representatives in Washington of the American republics and having as its chairman ex-officio the Secretary of State of the United States.
 Better Understanding. On the moral or sentimental side, the chief object of the Union is to de- velop mutual acquaintance, better un- derstanding, lasting friendship, peace and good will; and on the material change of commerce and trade, in dustrial prosperity and economic progress among all the American re- publics.
 The first quarters of the Union on Pennsylvania avenue having grown too small for the Columbus Memorial Library and the working force of the bureau, the board of governors agreed l to erect a building which with its site | should cost S125,O00, the money to be raised by contributions of the repub- | lies on a population basis. The Latin American republics had raised their share of S50,000 when, in 1907, Secre- | tary of State Root announced that An drew Carnegie had offered to con- l tribute $75O,000 for a new home for the bureau. Soon afterward the United States Congress appropriated S200,000 for a, site. Later MT. Carnegie | donated another S1OO.OO0, making his total contribution SS50,000.
 Roosevelt Lays Corner.
 On May II. 1908, the cornerstone was laid by Theodore Roosevelt, Presi-