Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-12-23

be many, nor can they be made for
some time to come. The United States
has a large number of ships now under
construction, and it is proposed to
scrap them. This will bring about an
at least temporarily unfortunate con-
dition in certain lines of trade. This
matter is giving some concern to the
officials of all the governments here
represented.
The scrapping of the ships now I'M
der construction is going to cost the
United States government some
money, a considerable sum probably.
1t is understood that, where contracts
have been entered into and material
has been supplied, the government
for some work which has not been
done, and also for some material
| which cannot be used for any other.
purpose than that for which it was in
tended.
1t is not believed that the scrapping
of the American ships will affect ma
terially the personnel of the navy
forces.
Grant Memorial Nearly Completed.
On April % of next year occurs
the one shundredth anniversary of the
birth of Gen. Ulysses Simpson Grant.
On that day it is probable the
memorial to the general in the
Botanical Garden grounds in Washing
fOn will Iao 1Ipxo;lo,1 xx,i+I, rrost a +toy,f7
ing ceremony.
1t may seem as if April 27 next is
long way off, but when one considers
that this Grant memorial was in
process of erection for a great many
years since the urgings brought re-
suits, next April seems as if it were
only day away.
For years the thousands of visitors
who have come to Washington have
wondered why the Grant statue and
its accompaniment have not been
completed. The pedestal stood in the
Botanical Gardens until it became
time-stained and then there appeared
some bronze artillery figures which
also became time-stained before any
thing further was done. Now the
memorial virtually is completed, and
hundred years after the birth of the
man who was the North's stoutest sol
dier and who was twice elected Pres
ident Of the United States it will be
given to the people.
When the Grant memorial is com
pleted, and everything pertaining to
the Lincoln memorial is in readiness,
it is expected everything which is I'M
slightly on the great Mall, which ex-
tends from the capitol to beyond the
Lincoln memorial, will be cleared
away and that Washington will have
one of the finest parks known to the
world.
TWO Miles of Beauty.
Two points determine the direction
of any straight line. Take the base
of the dome of the capitol as one
point and the base of the Lincoln
memorial as another, and the straight
line which joins them will pass
through the Grant memorial and the
Washington monument. The vista, it
is said, will be unsurpassed.
The distance from the capitol to the
Lincoln memorial is about two miles
and they are two miles of beauty for
the most part. The permanent build
ings which stand within this open
place are the structures of tie Agri-
cultural department, the S1nithsnniP
institution and the National mlr,eu,n.
These are all, save one, buildings of
architectural beauty and all save one
probably will be allowed to remain.
These various structures have been
spoken of as permanent.
The one building which, it is to be
hoped, eventually will be destroyed is
used today to house a part of the
treasures of the National museum. 1t
is brick structure just east of the
original Smithsonian building. 1t has
no particular characteristics to rec
ommend it for permanency of habitat
in the Mall.
The original Smithsonian instftu-
ton is a warm, red-toned structure
with beautiful tower, ivy mantled.
and in which, in keeping with tradi.
ton, owls have their home. This
building was erected many years ago
and it is something of a relief to look
upon it after having gazed upon the
brilliant white marble of some of the
other government structures.
Treasures in the Museum
The National museum today CON
tains an immense collection of war
relics which occupy cases in several
of the great halls Of the institution.
One reads in case after case the de.
yelopment and the procedure of tho
war as the United States took part
in it. There are many trophies, of
course, but in addition there are re.
productions Of all the uniforms and
all the flags of the nations which took
part in the mountaineering conflict
Today virtually all of the great
Roosevelt African collection is EN-,
placed in the halls of the National
museum. Naturally, hundreds OF
specimens of smaller animal and OF
botanical life which were collected
must be kept IN cabinets which are
not open to the view, for these smaller
specimens are of particular interest
only to the students and the scientists,
who can study them by permission.