Evening star., 1927-05-01
MEMORIAL DRIVE
OPENS TOMORROW
Speakers at Luncheon Stress
Need for $4,000 to
Honor D. c. War Dead.

Washington must approach its task
beginning tomorrow-of raising an
appropriate memorial to the 535 men
and women of the District who died
in the World War. in the light Of full
filling a national as well as a civic
duty, for the eyes Of the Nation are
upon its Capital. Only an affirmative
answer may be expected to the ques-
tion Of whether Washington will build
this memorial.
This was the message received yes.
terday from the lips of speakers, who
| addressed the men and women assem-
bled for luncheon in the Willard Hotel
preparatory to beginning their cam
paign tomorrow, a campaign which
has for its objective a subscription by
the people of Washington Of $4,000,
which. added to the $50, 900 already
in hand, will assure the erection in
West Potomac Park Of a memorial
dedicated to the memory Of Washing
tonians who fought and who died in
their COuntry's service during the
World War.
Speakers at Luncheon.
Right Rev. James F. Freeman,
Episcopal Bishop of Washington; Rev
Francis p. Duffy. who won renown as
the famous Fighting Chaplain" of
the 165th Infantry; Watson b. Miller
a past commander and speaking as
representative of the District depart
ment, American Legion, and Maj. Gen.
John A. Lejeune. commandant Of the
United States Marine Corps. Joined in
praising the spirit which is behind
the memorial project. and urged that
those who take an active part bring
home to Washington the necessity of
success.
In addition to the pre-campaign
luncheon yesterday a joint statement,
signed by leading churchmen of Wash
ington, urged upon the clergy of
Washington their active support N
the memorial project. Every pastor
and the head of every congregation in
Washington was asked to bring the
campaign to the attention of church
goers this morning in messages from
their pulpits. This statement was
signed by Bishop Freeman, Bishop
William Frazer Mcdowell of the
Methodist Episcopal Church; Mgr. c.
f. Thomas pastor of st. Patrick's
Catholic Church. and Rabbi Abran
Simon of the Washington Hebrew
congregation.
Eyes of Nation on Capital.
Praising the public spirit which led
to the memorial project, as indicative
of the existing gratitude for the sac
rifice of the District men and women
in the World War. Bishop Freeman,
in his address yesterday, declared that
Washington is the most important
single city on the American continent.
What happens in this city, the
Capital of our Nation, affects every
other city in the United States" he
said. ITO have the Capital recreant
in such a duty as that which now lies
before us would be a disgrace"
The speaker praised the Inifying in
f1uence of such movements as that OF
tha memorial campaign. for he point
ed out, its appeal is confined to no
group or creed. 1t is something which
unites all of the people behind it. he
said, regardless of their differences of
opinion in other matters. Donations
to the District war memorial fund
which are given grudgingly, ne
warned. should not be accepted. for
the very nature of the memorial de.
mands that it evidence a spontaneous
love for those who did their duty.
Mr.. Miller, who spoke in the absence