Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-01
LIVING MEMORIALS
AZ the Masonic Homes, Elizabeth
town, There is a Tree for Each
Hero--Flve Acres In Red Peoples,
Too.-harry Browns Indus
trial School
BY GEORGE NOX MCCAIN

BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN
IITHEN Highway Commissioner Lewis s.
w Sadler announced his intention of bor-
until enough had been planted to permit the
State to name n tree for each Pennsylvania
soldier sacrificed In the World War, he was
unaware that the nucleus Of his plan had
. already been established.
On one Pennsylvania hillside already there
has been planted a grove Of trees. one for
every soldier of certain distinction who
went forth to battle and came not home
again.
DASSENGERS on daylight trains, east or
i west, on the Pennsylvania Railroad may
notice at Eliznbethtown a Greek temple on
an isolated hill half mile south Of the
tracks.
Beyond It, over the hill, are the square
stone structures and red roofs Of the clus-
tered buildings Of the Masonic Homes
The Greek temple is the guiding hand, the
indicator, that marks the location Of the
largest institution of its kind in the Ma
sonic fraternity, which Is worldwide in its
scope and of almost universal membership.
But the little Greek temple will stand out
in its rectangular whiteness and beauty for
only a few years longer.
Year by year Its graceful outlines will
disappear behind curtain of living, green.
In twenty years from now it Will be in
VlSlDIe una Will tHe1 lullll one luPH Oh Ine
ancient Greeks conception of beauty, sub
Unity and worship-a temple within grove.
NUT Of the thousands Of Pennsylvania
OFreemasons who put off the garb Of
peace to plunge into the worlds inferno, 264
went west"
BY shell or hand grenade or steel, BY
deadly gas or disease. that number Of the
faithful, from the lowest to the highest in
tho agc-old fraternity, poured out gener-
ously libation to death with their lives.
The committee of the Grand Lodge Of
Pennsylvania In charge Of the Masonic
Homes shortly after the close Of the war
planned memorial to the memory Of these
silent brothers.
It was agreed that the most fitting testi
monial, the most appropriate memorial,
would be tree for ench man.
A grove was planned, symbolic Of their
association, and yet with each Individual
name, the battle In which he fell and the
number of his lodge of every hero.
For more than year now the sloping
hillside has been transformed.
VIZ HARRY BROWN, Of Pittsburgh, is
w. n name that Is destined to endure as
long as the great fraternal benefaction at
Eliznbethtown endures.
l wrote few days ago about Frank
Thomson's boys; the eight scholarships In
technical schools that his family founded in
his name.
Harry Brown has endowed school on
the domain Of 1000 acres which, with the
completion Of the main building alone. will
accommodate eighty five boys.
1t will be an industrial school. Hand as
we'll as brain will be trained.
1t was in December two years ago that
". Harry Brown, Of Pittsburgh, presented
to the Committee on Masonic Homes $50 900
worth Of securities.
In the accompanying letter he stated that
the gift was to be applied for such purposes
as the committee might designate.
After conference with Mr. Brown Il was
a home for the education Of dependent Or
phan sons Of Free and Accepted Masons In
Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Brown died Unexpectedly IN March
Of this year. It WAS then discovered that
he had arranged to add $50, 900 to the fund,
and his executors have since contributed
that amount.
rTNIIE Masonic Homes at E!izubethtown
l. comprise the largest institution Of It's
kind among Masons IN the world.
The original purpose Of the architects and
committee in charge is being carried forward,
with the result that the next quarter Of a
century will see this assenblage OF magnifl-
cent buildings assume the appearance Of a
huge village where art and nature will blend
IN perfect harmony.
Philadelphia Masons are erecting a hos
pital the estimated cost Of which Is $3.50,
600. It will contain $50 bsds.
The entire sum for the erection, furnish
ment and outftting OF the wards. rooms
laboratories and clinic and operating rooms
County.
The building will be ready for occupancy
early the coming year. II viii be the most
modern and up to date building Of its kind
In the State.
THERE arc 800 guests IN the homes.
i Their environment Is that Of high class
hotel with a vast number OF unique features
added. rs, for instance, q splendid library
OF approximately 10000 volumes and a mo-
ton picture auditorium.
Included among the guests are forty boys
and thirty girls. for whom teachers Of the
highest grade are employed.
The guests consume at one meal alone 875
quarts Of milk, 800 apple dumplings, sixty
dozens Of eggs and other food in proportion.
The homes really constitute a vast manu- =
featuring concern. It is all for the benefit
Of the $50 guests however.
Scattered over the 1000 acres Of the de-
mesne, in separate buildings. are 1000 Leg
horn chickens. 100 registered Ayrshire cows,
400 registered Berkshire pigs, as we'll as
geese, turkeys and other fowl.
Four cows in the herd give their weight
in milk every month.
VTNHE grove Of oak trees surrounding the
i temple have been selected not only for
their lasting qualities, but for their beauty.
In autumn. when fully grown. their foli-
age will present. owing to their different
characteristics, q brilliant combination of
color.
To heighten tho effect, tho enttro Ave
acres covered by the memorial grove have
this year been sown in Oriental poppies.
They arc a brilliant red and carry out
fully the idea,
"On Flanders fields tho poppies grow"
All the ornamental shrubbery and trees
for bcautitying the grounds are grown and
cultivated on the place.
There is one nursery alone Of 25 900
white pine seedlings.
Eight miles of macadamized roads run
through and around and about the property
All fruit and vegetables used are raised