Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-04-13
Plans of Riley Memorial Hospital for Children
Are Presented in First Announcement TO Public
James J. DaUis
Here to Honor
HOOsier Poet

This memorial would make James
Whitcomb Riley gladder man than he
ever was in life said James ]. Davis,
Secretary OF Labor. principal speaker
at noon today at a meeting in the Rilay
room of the Claypool Hotel, at which
occurred the first public showing of the
plans for the James Whitcomb Riley
Memorial Hospital for Children, to be
eretced in indianapolis, near the Robert
Long and city hospitals. More than 500
prominent Indiana citizens attended the
meeting. Honor guests included Mere
dith Nicholson, Booth Harrington and
George Ade.
Hugh Mex. Landon read the follow
ing telegram from President Harding:
II am much grstified to learn Of your
plans to provide a suitable memorial to
James Whitcomb Riley. The whole Ma
ton will approve, for 1t knows and loves
him for the writings which have called
forth so sympathetic a response from
the entire people. While you are en-
titled to claim as a son of Indiana, the
country will always insist that his words
and memory belong to it,"
Mr.. Davis, introduced by Governor Nc
Cray, said in part:
The whole world loves the very name
of James Whitcomb Riley, one Of the
sweetest spirits this land of warm gen
erous hearts ever brought forth. Wher-
ever in the world human hearts remain
simple and sweet, and respond to the
sweet and simple things of life, there
James Whitcomb Riley lives on and is
treasured as a perpetual possession. In
every city in America, people are glad
that James WhitcOmb Riley once lived,
and left behind him out of the riches OF
his heart so many things Of beauty and
Joy and comfort, that they may keep
forever.
But no where on earth is James Whit
comb Riley better loved, or loved with a
finer understanding than here in the city
that he chose for his home. How could
you help loving the most lovable of men.
The world has his priceless gifts to keep.
but you had the man himself. The sight
Of him on your streets was here to cheer
you. You knew his genial hospitality.
You had his wit, his kindly humor, his
happy personality as a daily light in
your lives. You had the shake Of his
hand the twinkle of his eye to make you
glad that you knew such a man. and
had him with you. As the whole world
came to wait for each new Towering Of
Riley's mind, yours was the pride OF
knowing that this man so universally ad-
mired was yours to have as a daily com
paniOn yours TO talk with as friend ;
yours to honor as a citizen.
And how the man returned the love
that he himself called forth. He was not
only a friend to every being in this city
he not only loved It's people, but he had
an affection for it's very trees, its quiet
thOroughfares. the very stones In its
highways Will you ever forget the
whimsical, touching hOmely song he sang
to the street where he lived?
Little wonder that you who enjoyed
the honor and had the pleasure of such
a mans presence among you. should feel
yelling up in you the motive of this
lovely and touching memorial, as an ever
lasting expression of your gratitude TO
him! Nothing could be more fitting than
this monument Of love and help and serv-
ice, to the man who loved all humanity,