New Britain herald., 1926-09-07

Therefore l have submitted to
YOU a series of drawings showing
various notifications of the original
design of the memorial only, to meet
the new conditions and the new We"
that have been developed IN our
several conferences.
ITO explain the latest design
which 1 consider superior to any yet
shown and which l believe meets
every requirement, practical and ar
tistic. it is necessary to say some
thing about the one approved by the
council in 1924; l shall cont1ne my
self entirely to the monument
proper.
THE 1924 design consisted of
mighty shaft, twelve feet in dame
ter. rising ninety feet from a clrcu-
lar platform eight feet in diameter
placed at the north side of the pat
form which was enclosed by a para
pet wall upon the outside of when
were blaced bronze tablets bearing
the names and rank of the dead. Inc
base of the shaft bore, on Its north
erly face, transcription in bronze
of general import. This arrange
ment was predicated upon the idea
that the approach from the north
would be of major importance.
In the new plans the elements OF
the design are similar but their re-
lations are changed. The shaft has
been moved to the center of the
| eighty foot platform, and rostrum
for speakers upon patriotic occa-
sions has been provided at its base.
The memorial tablets have been re-
moved from the outside of the cir
kcular wall enclosing the platform
and placed on the inside as describ-
ed in detail below. A Hight or steps
has been introduced on the north
side. leading up to the circular plat
form. in the old design there was no
access from the north to TINS en-
closure. The level Of the latter Is
not so high above the pool as before
THE new arrangement OF me
yotiye tablets I considersfar better
than in the former design. have
beyelIed the top of the inner lace
of the parapet around the circular
nIatform. forming as 1t were a con-
tinuous reading desk, and on TINS
surface is unrolled a scroll OF non
or in bronze bearing series OF IN
dividual tablets upon each OF Which
would be inscribed the name ana
rank and place of death of the man
who has so honored his city. MS
rernotuates in another form the
idea of the individual tributes so
touchingly carried out in temporary
materials at the foot of the MIL
Under each tablet is raised bronze
rosette to which the families ana
friends may fasten floral tributes
These tablets are shown In detall Ut
number of the drawings herewith
"The design Of the shaft has been
have struck 4, new note ana pfo-
duced something distinctive. save
for little change at the top, 10 pe
referred to presently. the only
change is in the base when came
about naturally by making lns
column stand free, and by the al
dition of the speakers rostrum. l ne
base is now cylindrical. following 'he
nlon of the shaft above II, ana IL
decorated with an inscription OF
dedication. with votive gar'ands anu
device all in bronze. Above the pas.
,isos the fluted shaft itself. drapee
in the flag with its stripes ana STARS
and surmounted by TWO :li''ei,S'
/ ooeles in stone, who seem 10 w
eIou+ r. raise toward heaven pear
. ing the flag in their talons. 1here
We, hut one eagle in the former
dasign-but reflection persuaded i'i'
inf two eagles would make a NOR
symmetrical and satisfactory tel
minal Of a more beautltul lol III
Those eagles are about fourteen rec
,,i,b and ten feet wide by sever
from north TO sou'h.
"Tbe shaft should be Illuminate
~ nirh+. and would thus be seer
dominating the entire COUNT S'0
Moth bv night and by day -.
From tentative but rehaole es.i
mates made, the cost OF the Moi
involved in foundations Ailuia nan.
limestone and other masonry pay
to bronze work. carving ana u.
like would be approximately si'V'
600. ... ,,s =,
"Tbe time Of completion woula u
fro,r, IL to IS months from the sign
;,- If the construction contract
~These figures are not compel,
tive aud we may reasonably 1901
forward to a reduction IN thelii ~,
the working drawings are maze am
;seued for competitive bidding
ITO them should be added aoou
1919 per cent to cover cost OF sur
,evs other inevitable expenses con
) ,..d with the work, includlhi
architects fees. !. o,
81 ~ venture to suggest that If yo'
racon,mend an appropriation o
s1e5 400. any amount rema'h,n
/ 'obove construction costs "ou'
cover other incidental expenses. II,
, Guiding LAYING the cornerstone dco'
! cation. etc. and such balance as re
manned could be used as fund 10
the maintenance and repair oi u
memorial. Stonework should
pointed up every five years or $
) and movements have way OF se'
t ting out of repair invariaoiv rec
. ommend the ESTABLISHMENT OF such
! fund rather than leave the monu
, ment to the mercy of sporadic ap
|, nropriations usually made only whe
} the condition Of the work mas De
. come disgraceful. The condltlon Q
, the many monuments in New Aor
5 city is VIGOROUSLY bad for lack
. such funds for upkeep.
. May I suggest further that yo
, recommend to the mayor and com
: mon council the appointment OF
, small wieldly building committee Q
say, five members, to handle the con
, struction and business details |
connection with the memorial, wit