The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1922-05-03
SELL SERVICE STARS TO STATES
FOR S25,OOO,OO0 WAR MEMORIAL
Dome to Be Studded With Stars, One for Every Man or Woman
Who Served in the War-Expect Hall, Which viii Seat IT,
900, to Be Ready for 1925 Inauguration
Ceremonies.

million of that sum is already in hand.
For the endowment of the memorial
from %$10,000,000 to 100000 is de-
sired, making Il total of ~S20,O00,O0O or
$4,000, 900. But more han this amount
will be available If the present sub
scription plan proves successful.
The scheme for financing the under
taking is believed to be unique-each
being asked to endow a service star for
every son and daughter who served
during the World war. The rates to
be assessed are: A minimum of So for
each blue service star, and a minimum
of 500 for each gold star of sacrifice.
France has her Pantheon and Brit
ain her Westminster, so now America
may have a Victory Memorial, revering
the Father of the Country and his
ideals established in 1776, and com
nemorating the valor of the sons OF
the country who preserved them in
1917. General Pershing, naming the
edifce "a temple of remembrance to
those whose valor made it possible"
expressed the hope that at would also
be Il to that new era of in
ternational relationship and friendli-
ness which alone will guarantee a last
ing peace
States Are to Pay.
The financing project is through
state participation, each state subscrib-
ing a sum of money for each citizen
who served in the World war, the in
|dividuals to be represented by blue
and gold service stars, which will form
the state clusters on the huge service
flag.
Some of the states, it is understood,
will issue bonds, while others will so
licit funds by popular subscriptions.
Tennessee has authorized a 100000
bond issue, Ohio has appointed a state
committee to undertake the raising of
its fund, while Maine, Delaware and
New York and the District of Column
bia already have guaranteed hearty CO.
operation.
In President H%arding's recent in
dorsement of the erection of the build
ing he explained hat 1t was to be a
practical memorial commemorating not
only the services of all Americans In
the World war, but perpetuating the
memory of George Washington, and
carrying out the educational features
suggested in his will. The Presidents
solicitation of state cooperation in the
erection OF this national monument has
lent a nationwide interest to a project
begun many years ago by the George
Washington Memorial association.
Address by President.
In connection with the laying of the
cornerstone of the George Washington
Victory Memorial, as it is called, on
November IA, in the presence of high
government officials, foreign represent
atives and the heads of the army and
navy, President Harding said 1--WE are
come to pay tribute to the foresight
which first encouraged and endowed
The institution here established-an in
Stitution which is to be alike Il monu-
uent TO those who sacrificed in a noble
| tause II Il beacon to shed afar the
light of useful knowledge and grateful
understanding among men,
The purpose of the memorial was
also announced rs a gathering place
for Americans, where American minds
could meet in fruitful exchanges. Thus.
MS the President suggested, this insti-
tuition of the natienal capital may be-
come, through its varied uses, Il veri-
able university OF American citizen
ship 1t will fill Il long-felt want, for
mhappily, though the city of Washing
on has become an international meet
ing place, it is not yet equipped with
suitable assembly rooms.
When completed the building will
house the headquarters of national.
military and patriotic organizations,
Mile spacious rooms will be set apart
tor the exclusive use of the states and
territories. Organizations may, upon
request and without charge, use the
auditorium and assembly rooms for
meetings and conventions.
The building, which originally was
known as the George Washington
Memorial" but later also designated
rs the Victory Memorial, was author
Ized by an act of congress In 1913 to
be erected by the George Washington
Memorial association, on the site of
he old Pennsylvania station In the
Mall, and the spot where Garfield fell.
1t is to be between Sixth and Seventh
streets, n. W., on II line with the New
National Museum building. The same
lct donated the land designated. and
provided that the structure be admin.
stored by the regents of the Smith
oman institution. who control the
l%eighboring buildings.
F~our-Story Colonial Design.
The design of the white stone struc-
ure depicts Il fine Colonial building.
With Il p~illared front faeing the south,
md Il square ground plan. From the
road green Mall, which bisects Wash
ington, long, low steps lead through
he facade of majestic columns to an
imposing lobby, decorated with his
orical mural paintings. The memo
tal is to be of Jour stories in height,
urmounted by Il low dome which
roWns Il huge central auditorium.
The main featHae of the edifce viii
ie This national auditorium. ample to
eat ten thousand people. The ground
ioor of the hall is in the form OF Il
aeat ellipse, its long axis running
lorth and south. Here there will be
cats for six thousand people, while
hove an encircnhg balcony will ne
0n}nodate several thousand more.