The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-03
MASON MEMORIAL.
TO WASHINGTON
Plan Impressive Archi-
tectural Tribute to the
Father of Country
GN BANKS OF POTOMAC
VIII Be a Fitting Companion
riece to Lincoln Memorial
Not Far Away

With the turning of the first sod
on a beautiful spot on the outskirts
OF Alexandria overlooking the ma
. tlonal capital. work has begun on a
memorial to George washington
watch will be fitting companion
piece to the Lincoln memorial at
Washington.
.Thc edifice, stately temple in
Elrod by Greek and Romhn archi-
lecture is being erected by the COM
blucd efforts OF all the Mnsons and
Masonic orders In the United states,
and will be tribute TO Washington,
tho man and Mason. IL will be 200
feot from portico TO observation
platform on the top, and will be sur
rounded by an extensive Handicapped
garden tn he known as George
washington park. II Is expected
the memorial will be completed in
from four to five years. The cost
will be approximately s25OO.O00.
Constructed OF snowy marble ard
white concrete, the columned struct-
ure will tower high above the river
and will stand out from a back
ground Of densely verdured hillsides
a fitting tribute, visible from miles
and within short distance of the
nations shrine. Mount Vernon.
Every Mason has been asked TO
ctr;r!bute a dollar toward the fund,
siS already more than 100000 has
been collected. Additional pledges
bring the figure to almost $1,000
300. Masonic orders and individuals
contributing 81 toward tho fund will
be placed upon the honor charter
roll 10 be kept among the temple ar
chivcs
Greek and Roman Pattern.
, The building, according to nrchi-
t'cts will be after the style of hero
memorials placed at the harbor en-
frances OF ancient Greek and Roman
elites II will he erected on n ridge
$50 feet above the Potomac, and
from it's tower. 200 feet higher.
grand panorama of the city OF Wash
lngton will lie under the observers
,eet, as well as of the country bor-
1erng upon Mount Vernon. so loved
by Washington himself.
Pilgrims to the patriots former
home and tomb will pass under the
shadow OF the temple, going either
by land or river.
The first floor will be given over
largely to a memorial hall. the COM
handing feature Of which will be a
heroic statue of washington. How
ever, as the memorial as n whole
will be dedicated also TO the memo
ties OF other great Masons OF the
country. there will be available to
The grand lodges Of each state space
In the memorial hall in which they
may enshrine portraits or other trib-
ntes TO Masons whose deeds place
.hem beside the first president.
Such men as Paul Revere, repre-
lenting assachusetts: De witt Cln-
.on. New York; Benjamin Franklin.
Pcnnsylvania; Henry Clay. Lewis
sInd Clark, Blair. Randolph and
many others have been suggested 10
be remembered thus as prominent
history making Masons.
The temple will be the active
odge quarters OF Wash
ngton lodge No. % A. F. and A. NJ,
of which Washington was the first
master when 1t was lodge No. 80.
other rooms surrounding the atrium
will be given over TO the uses of
grand national bodies OF the order.
Al all times, except when used In
ftual by the Alexandria lodge, the
sntire temple will be open to the
public.
Masonic Art, Gallery.
Above the hail. which will rise
n clerestory from the ground floor,
VIII be museum and Masonic art
gallery Here will be placed Masonic
portraits and the many historic
relics OF Washington and the several
other noted Virginians who from
time 10 time have been members Of
the Alexandria lodge.
A replica OF the first lodge house
used by Alexandria lodge, and which
vas Sedicated by. Washington, will
be Included. other souvenirs in
clude' the clock which stood beside
Washington's bed, and the pendulum
cord of which was cut at the mo-
ment OF his DEATH a pocket knife
given Washington by his mother
and which was carried by him as a
boy and man: HIS old hourGlass;
the chair he occupied as worshipful
master and which was used for 122
years; and the Williams portrait of
:, Washington OF which he approved.
!" With these will also be placed the
spade used in the ground-breaking
ceremony by Louis a. Watres, pres
ldent Of the Masonic National Memo-
rial association. As this simple cere-
mony was planned hastily, and COM
pleted on an hours notice, no special
TOOLS were provided, but a work
mans spade lying nearby at the
ame was utilized
The 32!acre tract surrounding the
,empig has already been obtained
ny tlP association. The larger por-
uonCa bout twenty-five acres. valued
!, more than $1,000, 900. was bought
t the city Of Alexandra at nomi-
aal figure which made II a gift.
Ceremonies OF cornerstone laying
E"re planned for next November 4.
ne anniversary OF the Inauguration
ot the country's first president, but
nave been advanced to early OctO-
per- The day has not yet been set,
nnut the program includes participa-
Ion by President Harding, Chief
Justice Taft and many other nota-
''os and high government officials.