The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-10
CAL PRESIDES
ASBORGLUM'
WORK BEGINS
Sculptor to Drive First Drill
Into Rushmore Mountain
Monument Project.
HONORS a PRESIDENTS
Nations Chief Travels Over
Old Gold Trail to Scene
of Ceremony.
HoN0RS a PRESIDENTS
BY PAUL r. MALLON


Memories of the gold rush fever
which sent men from hansoras of
Fifth Ave, to this deep recess of
the Black Hills in '76 thrilled the
populace of 100 in this mining town
today when President Coolidge
brought his White House retinue up
here to see Gutzon Borglum start
his gigantic monument of Washing
ton, jefferson, Lincoln and Roose-
welt in the solid rock of Rushmore
Mountain.
There isn't a railroad for twenty
two miles and no road which can
be travelled comfortably by automo-
bile for eleven miles. There is a
trail from the summer White House
which winds it's way like "a creek
bed over hills and around treacher-
Gus curves.
This is the trail, travelled by seek
ers for gold when this town was
established more than fifty years
ago. which the President and his
party came over to attend the cere-
monies.
-. Not to Brave Rain
Borglum is to hack out of rough
stone in the side of Rushmore
heads of four great Presidents of the
United States and Coolidge is to
preside at ceremonies inaugurating
the work. The President will make
a speech to those who braved the
Journey to be present when Borglum
drives first Grill into rock.
The famous sculptor said he
picked this spot on the granite cliff,
because it is as high in the heavens
as he could find good stone and
he hopes the work will tell 70
future generations the story OF the
birth and growth of the republic.
If it rains, and it usually rains
at least twice a day in these hills,
Coolidge will not attempt the three
mile Journey to the mountain top
from this village, but will hold
ceremonies here although the
mountain cannot be seen from here.
If the weather is pleasant he Will
make his speech from the foot OF
a 1.4O0 foot stairway leading to the
crest of Rushmore. Then Borglum
will swing out over the preclplce,
drop $50 feet and start the drill Tor
-. cfot1InC
Work Visits President
The Presidents boy pastor, Rolf
Liun, is to read the benediction and
all celebrities in South Dakota are
expected to attend. Five different
flags will be raised during the cele-
bration to commemorate former
holders of this territory. This in
cludes the French flag, the Spanish,
Napoleonic, Betsy Ross flag and
the Stars and Stripes.
The trip was begun this morning
following feeting visit from Sec
rotary of Interior Work who brought
word to Coolidge that the Johnson
Swing Boulder Canyon dam bill
would pass the next session of Con-
gress with some slight notifications.
: The measure which resulted in a
filibuster deadlocking the last ses-
sion of Congress to its final mo-
ments has been altered by agree
inent which will bring Arizona into
support of it, Work maintained. He
contended all seven States would
get together, in a new Colorado
River compact.
The Government will insist, said
Work, on a provision giving Govern
ment control Of power development
at the dam site.
Crop Conditions Good
Work also expressed the opinion
that Coolidge will not run for re-
election in 1928. He brought a
glowing report of crop conditions
throughout the West. It is the
best seen in forty years, he said.
Accompanying him were Govern
or Fisher, Pennsylvania: s. H.
Burnham. Lincoln, Neb., and E.
NJ. Westervelt, Burlington Railroad
official
Senator Tess Rep) Ohio, and
champion of the administrations
farm relief position, is expected this
afternoon for conferences on the
,sa1ioH cifrxo fin,,