New Britain herald., 1924-05-28
THE MEMORIAL DISCt sSION.

THE MENoktAL biStt SSi's'
 The vote last night Of the city meet
 ing board, defeating the proposed
 plan for a memorial shaft on the top
 Of Walnut Hill Park, can not be con-
 sidered a vote Of the city meeting
 board as taking the place of the old
 town meeting. Loss than half the
 members Of that new board were
 present.
 Those who were absent defeated
 the proposition. As the names were
 called on the roll call, and no re-
 sponse came. it was evident that
 many who undoubtedly favored the
 plan were absent. Those who voted
 against it undoubtedly voted accord
 Ing to their rights. Charles r. Smith,
 a member of the memorial commit
 tee. expressed the situation thus: "I
 think better of the men whose voices
 have been raised against this immortal
 to the dead, than they think Of them
 selves" His earnest plea was to re-
 member the inspiration Of the me- morial idea--a longing to perpetnate the memory of the men who fought and died,
 The memorial idea. free of all thought Of beneflting the living be- cause of the tragedy of death, was olouded, if not forgotten. Those who spoke and voted against the true me- morial seemed to shudder at tho thought that they would be consid- cred unmindfui Of the sacrifice made by those who died. but, nevertheless seemed unable to appreciate the fact that true memorial had been planned, not scheme whereby the living would be made more com fortable because their comrades had died. Into almost every opposing speech was injected the thought that this shaft on Walnut Hlll Park. ad- mired as 1t was, would not do any thing for the ex-sersice men now living. Minds seemed to dwell upon | the fact that the city had done noth- | ing for those who came back from the | war 10 resume, if possible. their places in society. They wished 10 seize upon the memorial idea in order to do that something. And his idea will not down. Last nights meeting vas not a discussion as 10 whether or not the city should erect a memorial 10 the men Of this city who had died in the war. 1t vas, rather, a discussion Of what should be done for tho living ex- men and how best 10 do il, throwing over the decd a memorial mantle which, In the practical work ing out of the plan. would be at best but secondary.
 To ai1 the disabled. h aii inc former fighter Who still Iives-thcse Ire indeed worthy causes, both Of which have been supported vigorous y by The Herald. 1;ut theg are no'cments entirely paratc from inc idea, and should be so dis :ussed. Last night they were not E paratsd.
 1' the people of Inc city would aid . hs living ez-sertics men let them do | b frankly. 1f they would build memorial to Inc men pbo died. lei t hem do this or refuse to do i'. Eut q . is the hope that they will not gay. I sith solemn faces. "Thc death or our A 'oys from Nev Britain is 3 good ex- use Tor doing something for the l,- i rT ex-ssrties men. Cal r a 'Nsmer- {, al Building and that aill be enough" h
 The people CT the city aiIl have ta q .ay the bill. r. is perfectly right for - hem to do whatever they feel like ( oing 10 honor the memory of our e cad. We may only hope that they n .tli decide. in fact ta homer The dcad. it is inc peoples desire. pr5rr r 1uiier someo here in tha c.'Y fs h iemorlal but ie' l- ba mrmortaf r nd nothing else. tzz taa approgri- .l lion for a building for fine rs-s,rt- m g men rherc th.y r7u me,t and ia 7Eh. over tae old batt1aa~ j, tHat Ia -- Is desirs--but caU if the ss-sartire %. ien's building. f. We 0siiete the former Srtsre men this e5ty long 10 honor the memory The men who fought e5th them. r liner tban to let The city usa Inc .ath of their Juddics as an cseass to aks thsm comfortable.