Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1921-11-14
CARNEGIE SPOKE
PROPHETIC WORD
TEN YEARS AGO

American republics build the Pan
American building little did he eX-
pect that eleven years after its ded-
ication, the spacious Hall of the AM
,ericas would seat representatives of
the nations at some Of the meetings
to discuss the limitation of arma-
ments..
And yet, in his speech at the dedi-
cation of the Pan American building,
April 26, 1910, he said: Zone of the
chief missions of this palace shopld
be-to draw together the diplomats
and representative men of all our
republics and enable them to know
each other-and learn of their earn
est desire for the prosperity of all
their neighbors and their anxious
hope that peace shall reign between
them. Thus these statesmen will
become lifelong friends to whom
may safely be intrusted the settle
ment of any international differences
that may arise. This then, is one
of the greatest missions of this in
ternational meeting ground in which
we are assembled. Nor will its mis-
sion be fulfilled until every republic
and, l fondly hope, Canada also in
cluded, shall have agreed to lay aside
the sword"
High over the heads of the diplo-
mats, and other representatives of
the nations who will meet in the
great hall of the Americas set in the
four corners of council room in me-
dallions of deep relief, is the signi-
fcant word pax"
Representing twenty-one Ameri-
can republics the structural lines Of
the building exemplify the dominant
architecture of twenty of the Amer
lean republics all of Latin origin. 1t
represents a combination of the clas-
steal and Spanish Renaissance, evol-
we'd by Albert Kelsey and Paul P.
Cret of Philadelphia, and chosen
from seventy-eight designs consid-
cred. The site is at the corner of
18th and B streets, facing on 18th
where slightly to tibet north are To-
Gated Continental Hall of the Dau-
ghters of the American Revolution
and Red Cross headquarters. Across
the street to the east lies part Of the
Capitol's great Mall including the
White lot
The white marble building, situat-
ed near the front of a five-acre tract
and covering a whole square, is ap-
preached through a formal entrance
garden set with pebbled walks and
bordered in low shrubs and hedges.
Broad, low steps lead to three mon
umental doors of bronze and glass,
grilled with decorative iron work,
and fanked on either side by stat
uary groups representing North and
| OOuIu AHlSIlCd. Unwilling, ollS hlot
steps into a lofty vestibule from
which lead reception rooms and con-
tinuing leaves North America behind
A typical Latin American patio or
garden courtyard confronts one. The
atmospheric essentially tropical, is
maintained throughout the year. In
summer the great sliding roof Of
glass is rolled back under the ewes
of the adjacent roofs of twin stair
cases which lead on either side to the
balcony, surrounding the patio, and
the assembly rooms above. Exotic
southern plants flourish within the
courtyard, palms, bananas, coffee and
other tropical plants rear their
fronts and foliage toward the poly
chrome frieze above; squawking,
brilliantly colored mackaws and par
rots lend to the tropical scene. The
patio is paved in tile decorated with
metals figures reproducing old AK
tee and Incan scenes In the center
and illuminated Aztec fountain plays
its waters falling into pool below
where gold fish glide about.
The rear and sides of the lower
floor contain the library, offices and
exhibition rooms of the Union, where
is available extensive information
relating to all the Latin American
republics including both physical
features and commercial statistics
The Director General DR. Leo s
Rowe, is assisted by staff of stat
icians, commercial specialists, edi-
tors, compilers, librarians, transla-
tors and clerks.
The second floor of the structure
building contains a broad foyar and
adjoining corridors known as the
Gallery of Patriots, where are dis
played the flags of the republics and
busts of their statesmen and heroes.
From the foyer opens the great
white Hall of the Americas one hun
bred feet long and sixty-five feet in
width. The vaulted ceiling is sup
ported by twenty four Corinthian
columns set in pairs, which leave
isles around the entire assembly
room. The outer wall, that toward
the west, overlooks the formal gard
en-; in the rear of the building. Five