The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-08-18

versity at Washington, Which Be
quest Has MysteriousIy Disappears,
Idea Of the Auditorium as Join
Memorial to Washington and Worl,
| War Soldiers Endorsed by Patriot,
Societies and by the Government.
George Washington and the 4,8OO,O0(
men who represented America in the
recent war are to be hOnOred together
In a great memorial auditorium IL
Washington.
Washington memorial, because it was
started "a years ago for the purpose
of carrying out one of the unfulflleG
provisions of 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 a site in a central
location where some of the temporary
government offices stood during the
war. The corners stone was laid by
President Harding last November, q
was honored in the capital. Mrs. Har-
ding has been made honorary presi-
dent of the George Washington Ne
mortal association, and the $1,000, 900
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
on fine arts
The central feature of the building
is the large auditorium, seating 1000,
with suitable accommodations for ma
tional and international gatherings.
Memorial to Soldiers
The lofty dome of this auditorium IL
to be the specific memorial to the sol
diers 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, and it is planned that
by use of a 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
great many rooms, all dedicated to pa
triotic and national uses
The second floor is to have large
banquet hall, where state banquets can
be held and distinguished statesmen
entertained. There will also be recep-
ton rooms and a 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-
otto and national societies.
The need for this type of public
building has long been apparent.
1t was because patriotic building"
was needed and because it seemed to
fulfill, In spirit at 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 national university to
stimulate high ideals in the youth OF
the land, and he left $25 900 to estab- |
lish that university.
Request vanishes.
The $4,000 bequest mysteriously dis
some say, through failure
and reorganization of the Potomac
in which the bonds were in
Vested 1t has also been said that the
money lapsed back into the estate. At
empts Of the Treasury department
;Ome years ago to trace the money
we're futile. Invested at compound
interest the bequest would now amount
O more than $4.OOO,OOO, but it has
vanished.
Congress has at intervals discussed
he establishment of a national univer-
ity, and the tendency now is toward
cry learned institution for the scien-
lists and scholars of the cOuntry-nOt
xactly Washington's idea, but school
or scholars is more needed now than
mother fapper college.
The George Washington Memorial
started in 1898, has, like
ongress, been trying to carry out
Vashington's wish. It approaches the
latter from another angle. Some
ears ago it decided, as congress did,
lat broad view of Washington's de-
re might well be taken. Mrs. III. F.
imock, president of the association,
1ggested that the erection Of great
ational auditorium and headquarters
here patriotism could be inspired and
,stered would surely meet with the
)proval Of Washington, since his aim
establishing national university
rs to promote patriotism.
Three presidents, Taft, Wilson and
arding, have Endorsed the plan, and
e board of regents of the Smithson-
n institution, of which the Presi-
mt is the head has accepted the con-
oil Of the administration Of the build