Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-10

than beir-. pres
enI. he would take.
The ceremonies are being arranged
tentatively by the John Ericsson
memorial committee in cooperation
with the John Ericsson Memorial
Commission. the official body charged
with the construction of the memo
rial The date also has been set ten
tatively for May %. and President
Coolidge it is the hope of those in
charge of the arrangements. will make
the principal address although the
President has not yet finally accepted
the invitation.
Will Tour Country.
The Crown Prince and Princess and
the royal party will arrive in New
York on May 81 aboard the new mo-
tor-driven passenger ship Gripsholm
Of the Swedish American Line. and
they will come directly to Wa shington.
according to present plans, to be here
in plenty of time for the ceremonies
10 honor one of their former cnun-
trymen. After the ceremonies they
will tour the United States. visiting
the big Centers and the public parks
in the West, and then leaving for
the Orient. completing A tour of the
world before returning to sweden.
navian birth. as we'll as others. are
expected TO gather in Washington for
the ceremonies in connection with
the dedication of the monument. which
il is expected will he completed by
that time.
Every effort is being made TO have
all the work completed in plenty of
time for the ceremonies. although
there is much to be done. As a mat
ter of fact, the memorial was CON
traCted for to he completed orig
inally in May of 1924. but there was
some delay in selecting the site. and
the Government finally granted an
indefinite stay 10 the sculptor. James
c. Fraser of New York City. The
Arlington Memorial Bridge and
changes in street plans. as well as
foundation difficulties. not due to any
fault of the sculptor, caused the delay.
Site Was Changed.
Originally the site selected was at
a point where Twenty-third street and
a proposed road through Potomac
Park would intersect. but this was
finally changed tc its present site,
where the lines of Twenty-third street
nd B street southwest would intersect
We're they extended to the point The
SeaWall has been moved out at this
point, and the roadway now along the
water side there will be moved out.
ward behind the monument when il is
finally completed. When the work of
digging the foundation was started
for the pile driving, il was found that
II was directly over the old sea wa II
there, made of riprap work of heavy
stone and boulders. and it was i'm
possible TO drive piles through them
until this was blasted out.
However. at the present stage the
concrete foundation has been laid and
the foundation pedestal, circular in
shape and standing 10 feet above the
level of the surrounding ground. has
been placed, as also has the large
stone block, weighing ~ tons. out of
which will he carved the four figures.
There is also a smaller block. weigh
ifS 5 tons, already in Washington.
out of which will be carved the statue
Of Ericsson. seated. which will be
placed in a niche in the larger block.
II was originally the intention of
the sculptor to have this smaller
block carved here, but the office of
public buildings and public parks of
the National Capital has received
word from Mr.. Fraser that he desires
the block sent to his New York stu
sent TO Washington in its completed
state for placing. However. as yet
the block has not been shipped to
New York, and it is the prediction of
officials that some quick work will
have to be done in order TO have it
completed in time for the ceremonies.
Work Not Started
The carving of the four figures in
the larger block Of granite Will he
done by Ardolino Bros. stone carvers,
Of New York, but this work has not
Vet been started although prepare
tion now are being made for it. A
large wooden platform has just been
built over the large block, in which
the stone carvers will shortly begin
their work.
Although plans have not been com
pleted for the dedication ceremonies
il is expected that they will be the
most ella borate of their kind which
have been held in the Capital City
for some time. Americans of Scan
dinavian birth and ancestry are TAX
ing an active part. assisted
by Representative Chindblom, who
is working diligently on the plans
Such as are made to date are
only tentative and they await final
work pending the determination nj
Just when the memorial will be com
pleted. although everything is being
worked out now on the tentative date
Of May % and the royal family has
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