The New York herald., 1921-02-02
Rodman Wanamaker Urges
That Body Be Buried i'll
Central Park.
PLAN SEEMS ASSURED
Fish Resolution Expected to
BE FavOrably Reported Out
This Week.
Special Despatch to TIIE NEw York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. /.

Washington, ID. c., Feb. l.
Gen John j. Pershing to-day urged
that Congress provide for the return
from a grave in France for burial
with high honors in the Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery near here, as tribute
to the men whose names still appear
on the missing in action" list.
The ceremonies, Gen. Pershing sug-
gested. should be held on Memorial
Day and be nationwide in scope. He
recommended that Congress ask the
entire nation TO suspend all work or
business for a brief period during the
intcment at Arlington as further
tribute.
The proposal was also approved by
Secretary Baker. Major-Gen. j. A. LIE
Jeune. connmandant of the Marine
Corps: Adjt-Gen. Peter C. Harris of
the Army: John T. Taylor, represent
ing the American Legion; DR.. Joseph
Dixon. representing Rodman Wana-
maker Of New York, and Representa-
tive Hamilton Fish, Jr. On. Y.), who
has introduced a resolution providing
for the ceremony.
No objection to the proposal was
raised by the committee which held the
hearing, and it is virtually certain that
Mr.. Fish's resolution will be reported
from the committee by the latter part
of this week Nearly all the committee
men believe that the interment should be
in the Arlington National Cemetery in
stead of under the rotunda Of the CaDi-
tol here, or in Central Park. New York
city, the latter place being recommended
by Mr.. Wanamaker.
Mr. Dixon read a telegram from Mr..
Wanamaker setting forth New York
citys claim to the honor. 1t reads:
Those privileged to leave the United
States to fight for the freedom Of the
world embarked from the harbor OF New
York Those who had the privilege of
living returned home through New York
harbor 1t was in New York city. there
fore, where the nations welcome was
given to the returning victorious troops,
and it is the place above all others hal
lowed as the shrine for the spirit that
never returned. I believe the entire
nation will concur in the holy sentiment
that this sacred ground should be the
resting place for the unknown soldier
who win typify the great hero ideals, re-
ceivine here everlasting tribute from our
own people and the world.
This is a national project. Should
any one appear for New York II might
be misunderstood by the rest of the
country. New York makes her offer not
for herself. but for the entire nation.
Millions and millions Of people will be
constantly desirous Of paying tribute to
this hallowed ground who never will be
able to visit any other city"
Testimony before the committee dis |
closed that Americas unknown dead !
total 2.14S. and that it would be possible
to select body for the honor which
could not be identified in any way thus
preventing any sectional or individual
tributes. II was because OF the belief
that the honor should be made a national
tribute that the committee favored
Washington as the place for interment.
Gen. Pershing suggested that the in
terment be in the amphitheatre at Ar
nngton.
81 think that fitting tribue should be !
paid 20 the unknown dead" said the |
General I'VE have had no national ex-
preston 60 these heroes and this would
give the people an opportunity 70 show
ti.eir appreciation OF the valiant SER
vices rendered by these soldiers. ] hope
that the ceremony can be made n ma
tional event ] would suggest that the
country pause for a brief period on
Memorial Day and pay n silent tribute
20 the unknown dead. In that way all
the people could participate. The body
should be brought back on n battleship
and accorded the highest honors. The
President and all the high officials Of
the Government should be invited to at
tend the ceremony.
II would prefer that the intcrmcnt be
in the Arlington amphitheatre instead Of
the rotunda Of the Capitol or In New
York. would suggest that the body
be one of those who fell in the battle
of the Argonne. the greatest major Of
fensive In which the American army
participated