Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-18

NdSutu8tOus ~ W. %Au0s
bilious project to commemorate Wasn
ington's crossing the Delaware has
been launched. Numerous ideas TOT
marking this historic site and event
have been presented. but in the past
there has been no organized effort To
begin the work. Now there is a con
crete plan and preliminary steps '
been taken toward carrying it out.
A national park with memorial roads
leading to it and monuments sand buiid-
ings dedicated to national heroes is
contemplated under this plan. winch
was outlined at the recent state parks
convention. Charles X. Hammit, q
representative from Trenton: !. D..
fathered the idea and in explaining II
pointed M that not only is the site
situated in a picturesque portion OF the
upper Delaware, but that it is also IN
the heart of a section rich in historical
interest.
"Washington's crossing and environ
ment combine natural scenery with a
great national sentiment dear to the
hearts of the American people said
Mr.. Hammitt. ut is q suitable shrine
for patriotic devotion; q natural mecca
for every American wherever born. 1t
is conveniently accessible to many mil
lions Of the population of he Middle
and New England states, and fully AS
accessible to a vast majority of the
rest of the country as the remote
western parks.
THE nation has long recognized the
wisdom Of establishing and maintaining
national parks and has made enormous
reservations tt preserve forests and
natural scenery, chiefly in the far west.
so remote from the center of popula-
ton that only a very small percentage
OF its citizens can ever hope to enjoy
the benefits. Vast sums of money have
been spent with the approval of the
entire country, for these forests and
this natural scenery constitute a great
national asset well worth conserving
and of growing Importance with In
creasing population.
"For more than 145 years this great
historic spot, this great national asset.
has remained substantially undevelOped
from any lack of interest. but
from the lack of an organized driving
force and a few earnest leaders to crys-
tallize public sentiment and guide in
the Development. In recent years a
growing demand for action has become
manifest. Both Pennsylvania and New
Jersey have recognized it and their
legislatures have made initial appro-
p%riatlons to acquire land and commence
Development. in the hope that the ma
tional government will join in the cree
ton of a suitable memorial bridge
uniting the two states sections of the
park.
National Park Project.
More recently the idea of a great
national historic park has taken root
and plans for this are under considera-
ton. This idea has taken the shape of
restoring part of the land to it's origi-
nal condition; for the states of Penn
s%ylvania 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
in their own characteristic
manner under a general plan, and.
second. similar allOtments TO other
states which have since entered the
union
AS the plan has been developed at
present If is proposed that a monu-
ment representing Washington actually
crossing the Delaware be erected in
midstream and that the memorial
bridge have q section devoted to each
of the thirteen original colonies.
Various organizations, patriotic. pro-
f%essional. commercial. religious. scien-
tific. fraternal and industrial will be
permitted to build suitable monuments
suggesting their progress and their
contributions to the growth of their
country.
Then it is proposed to encourage the
building of fine highways. beautified
in populous sections. leading to the
park from all directions. particularly
from Philadelphia through Valley
Forge to Washington's crossing and
over the various routes of march of
the colonial forces. These highways
would be suitably marked for public
information.
In addition to the monument TO be
erected by the states and organizations