Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-07-01

War Soldiers Endorsed by Patriotic
Societies and by the Government.
George Washington and the 4,S0O,O 600
men who represented America in the
recent war are Ia be honored together
In great memorial auditorium In
Washington. .
The project is called the George
Washington memorial, because II was
started - years ago for the purpose
of carrying out one of the unfulfilled
provisions If Washington's will. The
war broke into the slowly developing
plans. and afterward the idea of the
double memorial took shape.
Now plans are going rapidly for
ward. Congress has approved prof.
ect and donated IL site In central
location where some of the temporary
government offices stood during the
war The cornerstone was laid by
! President Harding last November, a
few days after the unknown soldier
was honored in the capital. Mrs. Har.
ding has been made honorary presl-
dent of the George Washington Me
mortal association, and the S7.0OOOOO
necessary To erect the building is be-
Ing raised among states and organiza-
lions
| Plans for the memorial have been
approved by the national commission
or fine arts.
The central feature of the building
Is the large auditorium seating 1000
with suitable accommodation for ma
tional and international gatherings.
Memorial to Soldiers
TO be the specific memorial to the sol
tiers and sailors and marines of the
! World war. Each man who fell In the
war Is To be represented by gold star
In the dome, and all others in blue
stars. These 100000 stars are to be
personal memorials. because the mi.
tials of the men they represent are
to be on them. ana II Is planned that
by use of diagram and field glass
visitors TO the hall will be able to To-
cate the names OF their own war he
| roes.
Around the auditorium are To be u
great many rooms. all dedicated to pa-
triotic and national uses.
The second floor Is to have a large
banquet hall, where state banquets can
be held and distinguished statesmen
entertained There will also be recep-
ton rooms and long row of rooms
where patriotic societies will estab-
lish permanent headquarters.
Above, on the third floor, rooms are
to be reserved for each of the states
and territories, to be furnished by
| them and used for state societies and
other state purposes. The fourth floor
Is arranged in more offices for patri-
otic and national societies.
The need for this type Of public
building has long been apparent.
II was because Il patriotic building"
was needed and because 1t seemed 10
/ fulfill, In spirit ut least. the almost for
gotten desire expressed in Washing.
toms WILL that the George Washing
ton memorial took this form.
The first President had a long-cher-
ished dream Of Il national university 10
stimulate high ideals in the youth OF
the land. and he left $4,000 to estab.
fish that university.
Request vanishes.
The So 900 bequest mysterlously dis
| appeared, some say, through failure
md reorganization of the Potomac
company, in which the bonds were in
vested. 1t has also been said that the
money lapsed back into the estate. At.
tempis of the Treasury department;
some years ago To trace the money
were futile. Invested at compound
interesrthe bequest would now amount
to more than SI.0O0.0OO, but II has
permanently vanished.
Congress has at intervals discussed
the establishment of Il national univer-
slty, and the tendency now Is toward
very learned institution for the scien.
lists and scholars Of the cOuntry-not
exactly Washington's idea, but school
for scholars Is more needed now than
another flapper college.
| Inc heoree washington MenOrlul
association. started In 1898. has, like
congress. been trying to carry out
Washngton's wish. II approaches the
matter from another angle. Some
years ago IL decided. as congress did,
that broad view OF Washlngtons de-
sire might well be taken. Mrs. II. +.
Dlmock. president of the association.
suggested that the erection OF great
national auditorium and headquarters
where patriotism could be inspired and
fostered would surely meet with the
approval of Washington. since his aim
In establishing national university
was to promote patriotism.
Three presidents. Taft. Wilson and
Harding. have Endorsed the plan, and
the board Of regents of the Smithson.
ian institution. of which the Presl-
dent is the head. has accepted the con.
troll Of the administration of the build.
ing and trusteeship Of the fund. II
Is prophesIed that when finished the