Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-22
MORE FUNDS ASKED.
FOR old |RONS|DES'
Wilbur Appeals to Nation to
Buy Pictures of His
toric Frigate.

To preserve the gallant American
frlgate "Old Ironsides," millions of pa
triotic men, women and children
mostly children-have given money
freely and enthusiastically in the past
TWO years, but more is needed, If the
historic warship is to be restored and
saved for future generations as a
symbol of the heroic days of the young
Republic.
Secretary of the Navy Wilbur and
Rear Admiral Philip Andrews, chair
man OF the national executive COM
mittee of the Save Old Ironsides Fund,
are making another appeal at this
season of holiday giving. They are
asking all those who have not already
done so to buy one or more of the Of
f1cial pictures of the u. S. frigate Con-
stitution, known to the world by the
intimate name of "Old Ironsides," in
order to swell the fund. These pic
lures cost 25 cents each. For this
small sum, every American can give
Christmas present to the Nation at
the same time that presents are given
to families and friends.
Mrs. Stevens Named.
Mrs. Cabot Stevens, 1916 Webster
street, has been designated by Rear
Admiral Adrews to represent the COM
mittee in Washington and to sell the
pictures here. Through the courtesy
OF Rudolph Jose, president of the CITY
Club. 1920 G street, pictures also may
be bought there at the cashiers desk,
in the lobby.
Rear Admiral Andrews has reported
to Secretary Wilbur that approx
mately $474,0 has been received up
to this time for the restoration of
the old ship, which has been in dry
dock for the past five months at the
Boston Navy Yard. 1t is estimated
that between $250,000 and 100000
more must be received to complete the
task.
The last estimate Of the cost of re-
storing the frigate was $625,000. 1t
is impossible to fix an exact figure,
however, for as the work progresses
il is often found necessary to spend
more than has been estimated. The
cost of labor and materials change,
and it is not possible to tell in ad-
vance how much must be deducted
from the total amount received to
pay for legitimate expenses OF the
campaign.
In order that as many Americans
as possible may have an opportunity
slogan, "Old Ironsides in Every Amer
lean Home" and the price of the
picture was made nominal. But the
cost Of making copies of the painting
must be deducted from the money
that is received from sale of the pic
lures, and it will take many more
ascent purchases to make up the re-
uuired amount. although more than
1,000,0 900 pictures already have been
sold.
Donations Are Made.
A large proportion Of the money
already received has been in the form
of donations. After Congress author
lied the Navy Department to accept
contributions to restore the Constitu-
ton and the campaign had been
warmly Endorsed by President Coolidge
and the cabinet, Secretary Wilbur
placed the matter of organizing ma
tional committee to raise the money
under direction Of Rear Admiral An
drews. Secretary of State Kellogg be-
came chairman Of the national honor
ary committee. Members of the cab
met, high officers Of the Navy and
leaders in patriotic and fraternal or
Plantations were named on the COM
mittee.
A campaign was started in 1925
among school children and 1t has been
estimated that 10000 900 of them have
helped the fund. The pupils OF the
WASHINGTON schools gave about $1,000.
The campaign afforded an opportunity
to arrange patriotic and educational
exercises in the schools. Essay con-
tests were conducted and the prizes
in Washington were won by John
Preston Wiley, son Of DR.. Harvey w.
Wiley, in the elementary schools, and
Harry Clayton, in the high schools, at
the end of the school year in 1926.
The work of resoring the ship
which played such prominent part
in the War Of 1912 and on other occa-
sions in American history, is progress
linz at Boston. Already $4,000 has
been spent. Unless the patriotic zeal
OF Americans grows less the money
needed to complete the task will be
forthcoming in time.
Holmes Saved Ship.
Mrs. Stevens calls attention to the
fact that Oliver Wendell Holmes in
1880 saved the gallant ship from being
broken up by his poem, ending with
the stirring lines:
lksOh, better that her shattered hulk
illl Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
INLAND there should be her grave;
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the galep'
"over 100000 school children
have echoed that appeal" said Mrs.
stevens today, land with their con-
tinued help ours, by purchasing the
picture at the City Club, Old
Ironsides' can still float the Stars and
Stripes"
When John Wiley won the medal
for the best essay written in the ele-
mentary schools he was IL years old
and a pupil in the Morgan School.
He Is now a student in Central High
School. The essay was entitled
-'why Will the Preservation of the
u. S. s. Constitution Promote Patriot
ism?" and was written in school
hours, May Z. 1925. 1t follows:
about two years ago 1 went aboard
the historic ship Constitution. When
I stepped upon the deck where heroes
had once fought those bloody battles
I could see in my imagination the