The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-02-08
NATIONAL VICTORY
MEMORIAL BUILDING
This magnificent building will
be Completed in 1926
World War Heroes Will be
Represented by Blue and
Gold Stars in Dome.

memorating the Father Of his Coun-
try and the sons who defended it in
the World War, is expected to be COM
rletcd by 1925 in time for the next in
augural ceremonies.
The present plan for financing the
project is through state participation
each state subscribing a sum of money
for each citizen who served in the
World War. The individuals to be
represented by Blue and Gold service
stars, which will form state clusters
on huge service flag in the dome of
the building.
Some of the states. it is understood,
will issue bonds while others will So
licit funds by popular subscriptions
Tennessee has authorized one hun
dred thousand dollar bond issue; Ohio
has appointed state committee to
undertake the raising of it's fund.
while Maine, Delaware and New York,
and the District Of Columbia already
have guaranteed hearty cooperation.
In President Harding's recent en-
dorsement Of the erection of the build
ing, he explained that it was to be a
practical memorial commemoratinp
not only the services of all Americans
in the World war, but perpetuating
the memory of George Washington
and carrying out the educational fea-
lures suggested in his will. The Pres
ident's solicitation Of state coopera-
tion in the erection of this national
monument, has lent a nationwide in
terest to project begun many years
ago by the George Washington Me-
mortal Association.
In connection with the laying of the
cornerstone of the George Washing
ton Victory Memorial rs it is called,
on November 14th, in the presence of
high government officials, foreign rep
resentatives and the heads of the
army and navy, President Harding
said: awe are come to pay tribute
to the foresight which first encour-
aged and endowed the institution here
established an institution which is to
be alike a monument to those who
sacrificed in noble cause and beacon
to shed afar the light of useful
knowledge and grateful understanding
among men,"
The purpose of the Memorial was
also announced as gathering place
for Americans. where American minds
could meet in fruitful exchanges.
Thus, as the President suggested, this
institution Of the National Capital
may become, through it's varied uses,
veritable university of American
citizenship" 1t will fill long-felt
want, for, unhappily, though the city
of Washington has become an inter
national meeting place, It is not yet
equipped with suitable assembly
rooms.
When completed, the building will
house the headquarters of national,
military and patriotic organizations,
while spacious rooms will be set apart
for the exclusive use of the states and
territories. Organizations may, upon
request and without charge, use the
auditorium and assembly rooms for
the meetings and conventions.
The building, which originally was
known as "the George Washington
Memorial" but later also designated
as the Victory Memorial, was author
lied by an Act of Congress in 1913,
to be erected by the George Washing
ton Memorial Association, on the site
of the old Pennsylvania Station in
the Mall, and the spot where Garfield
fell 1t is to be between 9th and 7th
Streets, N. w., on line with the New
National Museum Building. The same
act donated the land designated and
provided that the structure be admin
istered by the Regents Of the Smith
sonian Institution, who control the
nGighboring buildings
The design Of the white stone struc-
lure depict fine colonial building
with pillared front facing the south
and square ground plan. From the
broad green Mall, which bisects Wash
ington, long low steps lead through
the facade of majestic columns to ar
imposing lobby, decorated with his
torical mural paintings. The Memorial
is to be one Of four stories in height
surmounted by a low dome which
crown huge central auditorium.
! The main feature of the edihce will
be this national auditorium of spa.
cious dimensions, giving the Nations
/ Capital public meeting place of size
ample to seat 10000 people. The
ground floor of the hall is in the form
/ Of a great elipse, it's long axis run
ming north and south. Here, there will
be seats for 5000 people, while above
an encircling balcony will accommo-
date several thousand more. There
will be $4,000 square feet of space in
the main floor, which will contain a
number Of smaller halls and reception
rooms, spacious stage and George
Washington Museum, besides the as
sembly hall
Within the auditorium may be held
future inaugural receptions, national