Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-14


erica. one of the largest and best de
tailed in the world.
On the second floor is the large aud.
itOrium, more properly known as THE
Hall of the Americas" 1t is claimed by
some to be the most beautiful room OF
its kind in the United States. 1t is
over 100 feet by about 20 and will seat
1000 persons. From the west side of
| this room, one looks out on the out
door pool and the landscape beauties
of the rear.
Most Important Room.
South Of the auditorium is the most
important room of the building. In il
| is a large table of Dominican mah0s-
any. Around it are 81 massive chairs.
eXquiSitely carved each carrying the
name and coat Of arms of one Of the
Republics. The ambassadors or repre-
sentatives of the republics. in their re-
spective chairs. gather around this ele-
CANT table, with the director at the
head. once a month to consider the wei
fare of the Americas. In this room.
and all through the building, are many
works of sculpture and painting. some
in symbol in memory of the great men
Of army and State who were particular
ly instrumental in obtaining the free
dom of these republics during the last
100 years.
Pan-American conferences, and the
present Pan American Union, have been
existing more than thirty years. and
William Il. Curtis was the first eXecu-
tive. The Honorable John Barrett of
Oregon, former minister to Siam, Col
umbia and Guatemala. and who was
until recently the director for several
years, will go down in Pall-American
history as one man who did an in
estimable work in developing an era
If good feeling among these progressive
nations of the west. 81
Now for the most beautiful part of
the building. Passing through the mas
sive bronze doors of the ma in east en-
trance, one enters the patio, or Latin
American courtyard. about 20 yards
square which contains the r.reSt kinds
of tropical plants, trees. birds and
fish. On the left as one enters is the
peace tree planted by President Taft
md Mr.. Carnegie mt the time the build
ing was dedicated. A banana is now
i'm bloom also. The pavement of the
patio. showing Aztec and Incan figures.
represents very closely the floors of
ancient palaces of those peoples. The
fine electrical fountain in this court
presents a remarkable lighting effect
in connection with the water which
may constantly change its form Of dis
charge. Various strange fish and plants
are in the pool at its base. When the |
lights of the electrical fountain cor
responding to the national colors of !
the American republics, are thrown on
the water. the pool. the fish, the plants. |
and the great marble stairwayS Oh
either side of the patio, it is truly a |
beautiful sight. especially so when |
viewed from the marble ga llery at the
top of the stairwayS. When great |
orchestra is playing behind the palms
md other tropical growths on Il festive
night, one is held spellbound by the
combined wonders Of the harmony of
nature, art and tone
A Bewildering Scene.
The building is. Of course. we'll adapt
ed for holding diplomatic receptions.
When it is filled with one to three
thousand men and women dressed in
the height of fashion. foreigners with
and lace and jewels. the music and
lights, the adjoining streets lined with
and hundreds of automobiles.
many Of them palatial. it is bewilder
ing to one who is not familiar with
what goes on beneath the skin of much
Of what is called high" society.
One square across The park southeast
is the giant Washington monument,
From the southern and western win
lows one can see the large Potomac
park with the polo grounds to the
south by the Potomac river. Across
the river. about two miles to the south
west are tho reminiscent hills of Nir-
ginia and of Arlington National Gene
terry. ON the brow of the Arlington hill
is the new Memorial Amphitheatcr in
which the unknown dead soldier was
placed This amphitheater is the most
beautiful structure Of its kind in Am
erica, and possibly in the world. Every
way one looks. one sees something that
reminds OF the blessings Of peace.
The WHOLE is Il setting conducive to
peace and good will among
men. It has without doubt dene very
much 10 increase the good understand
iuoS and friend dim az tha fyonfv -one