The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-08-16

1mbttioas project to commemofate
WASHINGTON Crossing the Dela-
ware has been launched Numsr-
Gus ideas for marking this historic
site and svsnt have b6en presented.
but In the past there has beeqe NO
organised effort to begin the work.
Now there 10 . concrete plan and
preliminary steps have been taken
toward carrying It out.
A naticnal park with memorial
roads leading to II and monuments
aud buildings dedicated to national
heroes is contemplated under this
plan, which was outlined at the re-
cent state Parks convention.
Charles K. Hammitt. a representa-
tive from Trenton, n. J., 4athered
the idea and in explaining it point
ed out that not only is the site stu
ated in q picturesque portion OF the
upper Delaware, but that 1t Is al
SO in the heart OF = section rich IN
historical interest
"washington's Crossing and en-
vironment combine natural scenery
with a great national sentiment
dear to the hearts Of the American
people," said Mr.. Hanmitt. 1T Is .
suitable shrine for patriotic devo-
ton: q natural mecca for every
American wherever born. 1t Is con-
veniently accessible to many mil
lions of the population of the Mid
die and New England states, and
fully az accessible to q vast ma
jority Of the rest of the country as
the remote Western parks.
"The nation has long recognised
the wisdom Of establishing and
maintaining national parks and has
made enormous reservations to
preserve forests and natural seem
cry, chiefly in the far West, 20 re-
mote from the center Of population
that only a very small percentage
of its citizens can ever hope to en-
Joy the benefits. Vast sums OF
money have been spent with the
approval of the entire country, for
these forests and this natural seen
cry constitutes . great national
asset well worth conserving and OF
growing Importance with incfeas-
ing population.
.For more than las years this
great historic spot, this great ma
tional asset, has remained substan-
TALLY undevelpped-not from any
lack>of interest, but from the lack
of an organized driving force and
a few earnest leaders to crystalline
public sentimest and guide in the
development. In recent years q
growing demand for action has be-
come manifest. Both Pennsylvania
and New Jersey have recognized it
aud their legislatures have made
initial appropriations to acquire
land and commence development, in
the hope that the national govern
ment viii join in the erection of a
suitable Memorial bridge uniting
the two states sections of the park
Natiohal Park Project
SHORE recently the idea Of a
great National Historic park has
taken root and plans for this are
| under Consideration. This idea has
taken the shape Of restoring part
of the land to its original condition;
for the states of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey to do their part and to
acquire sufficient additional land
to make, first, an allotment to the
other eleven original colonies to
develop in their own characteristic
manner under . general plan, and
second, similar allotments to Other
states which have since entered the
union"
As the plan has been developed
at present it is proposed that 4
monument representing Washing
ton actually crossing the Delaware
be erected in midstream and that
the Memorial bridge have = sec
ton devoted to each of the thirteen
original colonies. Various organic.
atoms, patriotic, professional. COM
mercial, religious. scientific, fra
ternal, and industrial, will be per
mitted to build suitable monuments
suggesting their progress and their
contributions to the growth Of the
country.
Then it is proposed to encourage
the building of fine highways, beau
titled in populous sections, leading
to the park from all directions, par
ticularly from Philadelphia through
Valley Forge to Washington's
Crossing and over the various
routes of march of the Colonial
forces. These highways would be
rspitably marked for public infor-
nation.
In addition to the monuments te
be erected by the states and or.
CARNATIONS it is suggested also