Evening star., 1922-01-14
Replies Are Received From
Several Governors, Who
Indorse Project.
COMMISSIONER RUDOLPH
AROUSES LOCAL INTEREST
Mr.. Harding Expresses Hope That
in Victory Building q. S. May
Have Great Shrine.

President Harding has taken the
lead in movement to enlist the
interest and aid of the governor of
every state and the Commissioners
of the District of Columbia in the
erection of the National Victory Me-
mortal building here. inaugurated by
Mrs. Henry +. Dimock. it became
known today when the White House
made public copies of letter written
by the President, under date Of jan
uary Q, addressed to the governors
and the Commissioners.
With the Presidents letter, replies
from the governors of Maine. Della
ware and New York and Commits
soner Rudolph were made public.
The replies received to date heartily
indorse the project and Commissioner
Rudolph has already begun plans for
creating local interest in the me-
mortal.
Presi6ent's Letter.
President Harding's letter follows:
81 am writing you to enlist your
interest with mine. in the Wash
ington and Victory Memorial build
ing which is in course of erection
in Washington. As you doubtless
know. the structure is intended to
be 4 worthy national memorial OF
the services of our armed forces In
the world war and also to represent
a compliance with the wish of Gen.
Washington. that great educa-
tional establishment should be pro-
Nided here. These two purposes
have been united in the plans for the
memorial building. in whose erec-
tion it is aimed to have all the states
participate. The great auditorium.
designed as a meeting place for ma
tional and international gatherings.
will have its ceiling studded with
gold and blue stars: a blue star for
every survivor who served in the
war. gold one FOR each who
gave his life in the service: with the
initials of every man marking his
own star. Thas will be produced
true service flag of the nation. with
its millions of stars: and that II may
be given the character of truly
national memorial it is wished that
each state should provide for the
stars for its own men, in addition
TO any other participation it may
choose to assume.
"To make this structure true
shrine of national patriotism. repre-
sentinE for our country the senti-
nentS tndI w ADDeS anu
St PauFs Church attest to English
men and the Pantheon and the In
va1ideS to Frenchmen-thisi is the am
bition of the earnest men and women
who are carrying forward the work
of the George Washington Memorial
Association. The association is in
corporated by law of Congress. the
national government provided the site
for the structure and recently it's cor
ner stone wa laid.
II have assurance that the city of
Washington will give generous assist
ance tow; rd erection of the memorial.
and would be glad if each of the states
would see fit to give the Endorsement
indicated by some official participa-
ton. The project has appealed strong
ly to me. and / know to patriotic,men
ana women all over the land. as one of
such inspiring nature as to deserve
generous encouragement.
Mr. RudOIph's Statement.
In replying to the Presidents let
ter. Commissioner Rudolph wrote:
Your valued favor of the 18th
Washington and Victory Memorial
building now being erected. and re-
questing my cooperation in enlist
ing the interest OF the people of
Washington in the project, was duly
received. / will Immediately get in
-
ideas how we can best help this high
ly-to-be commended undertaking and
perhaps call a conference of some of
our prominent residents to get an
expression of their views. 1t would
be surprising, indeed, if Washington,
which has always done it's full share
in meeting every appeal to it's
patriotic spirit. should be found
wanting in helpful response in this
instance"
Will Enlarge Committee.
Following conference today at the
District building between Mrs. Dimock
and Commissioner Rudolph, it was an
nounced the present local committee,
formed some time ago to foster inter-
est in the memorial building, will be
recruited to a membership of 100, and
that meeting would be held in the
boardroom at the District building on
a date to be announced later, when
permanent organization will be
formed.
IndOrsement From Maine.
Gov Baxter of Maine wrote:
1T seems to me each state should give
its cordial support to this project, and
j feel confident that the people of Maine
will appreciate the opportunity of join
ing in this splendid work with the ma
tlonai government ana tne governments
of other states.
tour state legislature is not in ses-
sion at present, but i presume it will
not be too late to take this matter up
n year from now. Meanwhile i shall
bring the matter to the attention of
our citizens.
II recall with pleasure my visit to
Marion as a member of the notification
committee from the republican national
convention, and also nv attendance at
Washington when you were inaugu-
rated. The duties of governor make it
difficult for me to leave the state of
Maine. but hope to come to Washing
ton during the winter SO that may
make an official call upon you and Mrs
Harding"
New York and Delaware.
Gov. Nathan B. Miller of New York
wrote that he would be glad in some
suitable fashion to give Endorsement to
the project"
Gov. William d. Denney of Delaware