The New York herald., 1922-01-18
FRANKLIN'S STATUE
BURIED IN WREATHS
Edison, Schwab and Numerous
Others Send Tributes to Park
Row Celebration.
PRINTERS HONOR EDITOR
Many Other Industries Join in
Homage to Thrift Weeks
Patron Saint.

Benjamin Franklin yesterday, the 216th
anniversary Of his birth. The inaugura-
ton of Thrift Week and celebration OF
not only Franklin's birthday but OF
the 2o0th anniversary of Poor Rich
ards" career as an editor were CONF
bined IL simple exercises held at 2
o'clock around the Franklin statue in
Printing House Square, Park Row.
where for an nour big crowd watched
the placing of commemorative wreaths
about the statue until the pedestal was
hidden from view.
Many societies, business organizations
and notables were represented by the
twenty-eight elaborate floral offerings,
conspicuous among which was a gold
wreath from Thomas A. Edison, who was
prevented by a cold from being present
! and which was placed on the brow of the
statue by the master Of ceremonies, }.
Henry Smythe, Jr., of the Sons of the
American Revolution.
A further picturesque touch was given
to the scene by kite, recalling Frank
Inns of historic note. hung from City
Hall across the square and attached to
long cord, with a large key, running
from the hand of the statue.
The ceremonies were presided over by
Robert Olyphant. president of the Sons
of the American Revolution, in place Of
Gen. Oliver p. Bridgman, who was un-
able to attend. Interest was added by
the appearance Of DR.. Robert Underwood
Johnson, formerly Ambassador to Italy,
and +. e. Evans, British Vice-Consul In
New York city, and two lineal descend
ants of Benjamin Franklin. One was
Arthur Duane, a great-great- at-grandson
and senior male descendant. Mr.. Duane
is a retired business man of 12S East
Thirty-fourth street. The other was
Arthur Bache Huntington, great-great-
great-grandson.
Simple Advice From Mayor.
| DR.. Royal S. Copeland, Health Com
missioner, presented Mayor Hylan's
greeting, which was in part
1.-The simple message of our Mayor
which he has asked me to deliver to
| you to-day is to follow in your own lives
| as far as possible the principles o. Ben
jamin Franklin"
DIR. johnson had the following TO say !:
II fave an announcement to make
which l think will interest everybody
here who Is Interested in the institu-
tions of this city, or in Benjamin Frank
membered, tablet to Franklin was
unveiled in the great Hall of Fame OF
I NeW York University. i am happy to
be able to state now that this coming
i May there will be added to the tablet
in the Hall of Fame notable bust of
Benjamin Franklin by the French sculp-
tor Houdin."
The placing &C the wreaths around the
pedestal occupied three quarters Of an
hour. A representative Of Charles M.
Schwab presented a wreath which was
hung by Mr.. Smythe. and a delegate of
| the American Federation of Labor
brought a wreath from Samuel Gompers.
| Another large wreath was from Mrs. AL
| fred W. Conklin and Miss Amelia ID.
| Campbell, repI esenting the Daughters
of the American Revolution.
In front of the pedestal, centering
| the many colored wreaths, large
Franklin kite" formed of red. white
and blue flowers was placed by the two
| Franklin descendants, Mr.. Duane and
Mr.. Huntington.
A wreath laid by the Employing
| Printers Association was in memory
of Franklin the printer. The associa-
ton sent committee headed by Ernest
| T.. Eilert recent coalition candidate for
4
try's Chamber of Commerce, represented
| by Mark p. Campbell and NJ. u. De
Forrest. offered a wreath in commemor-
alton OF Franklin's invention of the
harmorica, and the Advertising Club Of
New York paid floral tribute to Frank1iu
as a pioneer in advertising.
A wreath from the Navy was place
by Capt. w. r. Wells, and one for the
Army by Col James A. Higgins. An
especially handsome wreath was SEM
by the Post Office in memory of Frank
lin as the first Postmaster General
The tribute was carried by delegation
and placed by Albert Firmin, super'n-
tendent of the money order departmnt.
Others contributing we're: The Ma
tional Thrift Week Committee, repre-
sented by J. A Goodall and L. A. Hun
gerford the Sphinx Club. the Franklir
Savings Bank, the New York Press Club,
the New York Times. and the American
Advertisers Association. Patriotic airs
were played by n part OF the New York
Navy Yard Band. led by Alexander
Morris.
On special exhibition in the Cover
nor's Room in City Hall, to remain or
view through Thrift Week, is a special
display of Franklniana. Among tbs
interesting documents Is copy of the
Pennsylvania Cusette." dated November
rs, 1861. This is the newspaper tha,
was taken over from its original pub
Usher. Samuel Keimer. by Franklin tr
1929, and suppressed by law on October
81. 1855. for having been published with
mourning borders upon the passing oil
the stamp act by the British Parlia.
ment. II is believed to be the newspaper
which finally developed into the Phila
delphia Saturday Evening Post.