Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-22
To Erect Statue on Yerba Buera

San EfanScIScO Business, the week
ly publication of the San Francisco
Chamber of Commerce, in Il rvccnt
issue carries an article proposing the
erection on YCrba Buena Island of Il
colossal statue of Franciscan faith
. er which would eclipse the Statue of
Liberty in New York harbor ana pre-
sent to incoming vessels at San Fran
cisco Bay picture similar to that
presented in the approach to New
York harbor.
Frank W. Hunter of this city is
sponsor for the idea and is quoted in
San Francisco business as folloWS:-
With the California Publicity Fund
movement in full swing, community
vision is in order. and l have awaited
myself of an invitation extended me
by San Francisco Business to outline
here a thought that | have beca el&b-
ol.lting for several years.
1t concerns the building of n co,ns-
sal statue of a Franciscan father up
on tho northerly apex of Ycrha Ilenit
Island. facing the Golden Gate, in an
attitude OF benediction upon san
F'rancisco-a figure higher than the
Statue of Liberty in New. York Iiar-
bor-which would be symbolic OF tie
name of the city and the early his
tory of California.
Such statue, built by small popu-
lar subscriptions, would not only
dominate the imagination of every
man. wod I'm and child in the san
Francisco BAY region, but would in
vest the bay Itself with an outstand-
ing characteristic that would, be
broadcast throughout the world.
Before attempting to enter into
anything resembling details of this
project, let me say that informal man
-to-nlan talks l have had about -:
with business men of all crecdS and
BELIEFS. architects. engineers, city
officials, and other persons have
evoked the warlHcst interest and
approval.
It's an idea that seems to take hold
as soon as it is preached, and only the
other day one of the most familiar
figures along California Strcet-a
gentleman who happens to be direct
or of the Chamber of Commerce
acclaimed it as one of the most dis
tinctive thoughts of the kind ever
brought to his attention.
The Statue Of Liberty in New York
ITarbor is sos feet high. including
pedestal Yerha Bucna's apex is 343
feet. The proposed Franciscan Faith
OF Statue. with its base. should he
$50 feet high, or approximately 700
feet in all above sea-level, which
would make it one of tho most in
spring statues in the world.
Some of the rersons with whom I
have discussed this statue have sug-
gcsted that erecting it might he con-
sidered a religious movement. In or
der to avoid the possibility of this
opinion becoming general. l believe it
would be ineXpedient to enlist the
support of any religious body as such.
l'ut that the cooperation of all San
Franciscans be solicited irrcsnective
of creed upon the broad and history
huttressed view that no more ap-
propriate figure could he chosen than
one representing that body of men
who first made the wonderful land
in which we live habitable for civil
lied people.
California sculptors could he invit-
ed to submit designs for the statue.
and California materials could be
used exclusively in it's construction.
Endorsement of -sectarian organ
izations such as the Native Sons of
the Golden West, the California So
ciety of Pioneers. commercial and
civic organizations, would appear to
be the first step in the undertaking.