Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-06-23
MEMORIAL FOR
DEAD WARRIORS
IMMENSE VICTORY BUILDING"
REALLY is TO BE ERECTED
IN WASHINGTON CITY.
UNEXPECTED IS TO HAPPEN
Funds for the Proposed $4,000, 600
Structure Already Are Being Raised
and Congress Has Provided Site
on the Mall.
BY EDWARD R.icLARK.

BY EDWARD 3. iCLARK.
Vashngton.-Does the unexpected
happen in Washington oftener than 1t
happens elsewhere in these good Uni
ted States? Sometimes II 50 seems,
but the chances are that in this city,
the capital of the country, there Is u
greater chance than elsewhere that
merely suggested project more fire.
Quently comes into its own, because
what might he called the spirit of the
capital of the republic enters into the
prupusul TOR something worthy to be
done.
Two years ago, just after | had re-
turned from field service in France
Rupert Hughes, the novelist, came to
he and asked me for sentiments sake,
and tor the sake of the news. TO write
a story concerning the plan for an
immense Victory building which it was
proposed to erect Ia Washington in
memory oI the dead of the American
armies
] wrote the article, told of the heart
intel esiE of Mrs. Henry f. Dimock of
Washington in the proposed plan, told
OF tie great sum OF money which II
was proposed 10 raise, gave something
OF ah outline of the architectural plans
for the building itself, but wrote II
believing that the plan was too ann
bilious ever to see accomplishment,
even IL this city of deeds.
Now 1t is announced that. ap i'm
neiise Victory building, u memorial
10 tise dead of all our wars, Is an as
stlred fact, and that the breaking OF
the ground for the S20, ,OO00OO structure
will be lhe work of the coming autumn
Carrying Out Washington's Ideas
OUT OF virtually baseless stories
sometimes good can spring. For the
better part of century there have
been Intermittent tales printed with
every earmark of truthfulnesS that
George Washington left large sum
of money for the establishment OF all
educational institution in the capltal ot
The republic, and that this money, haV-
ing never been used, still was III the
treasury of the United States, and that
il now was purposed to put II TO this
good use or to that good use in keep
ing with the spirit Of the educational
intention of the great giVer.
Ii is perfectly true that Washington
did IN his will make provision for the
establishment OF some kind OF an cd
ucatioual institution which was to be
located in the capital OF the country.
~.
The funds set aside We're In the form
of bonds Of some kind or other, but
either because the bonds proved 10 be
of little or no value, or because the
provision in the will was not clear
enough, the small amount OF money
provided never was available, and new
er has been available.
Now III a way the great victory me-
mortal building which Is to be erected
in Washington at cost Of $2O,oOo'oOo
will be the result of the provision In
George Washington's will for the es-
tablishment of an educational institu-
ton in the capital of the country. Mis-,
Dimock, who by the way is a sister OF
the late William g. Whitney, secretary
Of the navy in Grover Cleveland's cab
met. read the Washington will and be-
lieved that an institution Of the kind
which is suggested would be in entire
keeping with the desire of the Faiher
of His country Mrs. Dimock knew
there was no money To be secured from
the Washington source, but she Thought
that the spirit was as good as the cash.
and So she went ahead with her work,
and the word today is that success Is
TO come.
States Supplying Money
Word has come to Washington that
one state of the Union has appropri-
ated 500. 600 in its own behalf for the
project, and that other states are ex-
uected to follow suit. Committees
have been formed in all states of the
Union for the purpose OF raising funds
There already Is "a considerable sum In
thp treasury and congress has provid-
I'd a site for the memorial victory
structure on the Mall at Seventh and
II streets, between Pennsylvania
avenue and the Potomac river.
In this huge structure, architectural
nInns for which are already drawn. the
American Legion and all other patri-
otic organizations will be given quar-
ters 1t is to be memorial to the
d,ad of all wars, but the building will
be made servieeable In hundred diff
ferent ways as the meeting place Of
organizations of specifically patriotic
kind. On the ground floor there will