New Britain herald., 1928-09-15
Solemn Exercises te Be Conducted Next Satur- day and Sunday at Wai nut Hill Park.

In the words of Arthur G. Kim ball. chairman of the building con- mittee. ''The World War memorial stands the true test of art. It grows more beautiful the more you gaze upon it. You can feel it growing up- on you"
 The limestone shaft atop Walnut Hill park has been completed and is ready for dedicatory exercises one services on the following Jay. It is the elimination of more than four years of work. during winch Charles F. Smith. who is to be the dedlca- tion speaker. kept the movement alive through dark periods, and saw it come through to a glorious con- clusion.
 Although it was planned after the wading pool had been constructed. the pool lends itself admirably to the memorial group, which includes perEolas at either side of the circular basin, stone light standards at the south entrance. and eventually will include a most attractive scheme of landsca ping.
 Committee Named in 1924
 Mayor Paonessa appointed the first memorial committee in 1924, the personnel being about the same as the present group. The commit tee secured the services of H. Van Buren Magonigle of New York city. and he submitted several sketches. ultimately striking upon the plan finally adopted. one of which differ ed in but few details from a scheme evolved in Mir. Smiths mind.
 The 1924 design consisted of a nightly shaft. 12 feet in diameter, rising 90 feet from a circular base. The shaft was at the north side of platform and provision was made for bronze tablets for each of the departed soldiers. to be placed on the outside of parapet wall.
 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 sO- foot platform and a rostrum for speakers has been placed at the base. The memorial tablets have been taken from the outside and placed in the inside of the parapet wall. which has been beveled to give the appearance of continuous reading table. Each tablet contains the name of one man who died in the war. the time and place of his death and the company with which he served. Under each is a bronze rosette to which his kin may affix noral pieces. A flight of steps has hnon placed to make a northerly pproach.
 At the base of the monument is I inscription in bronze. Above the Ase rises the nuted shaft, draped in ,e flag with the stars and stripes, and surmounted by two enormous eagles, each of which clutches the American nag in its talons.
 Base % Feet in Diamcter
 The circular base is 80 feet in di- ameter. It is planned to have a row of seats on the inside and to have the shaft illuminated by night. mak- Ing it . landmark, visible for miles around.
 One of the first difficulties con- fronting the committee was the in- sistent demand by the kin of de- ceased soldiers and by citizens that the present temporary arch and court of honor be continued in en- during stone. The committee by unanimous vote had agreed to do this. but when architects were in- vited in for competition. they made surveys and pronounced such plan impossible
 Architect Magonigle concurred in this opinion, advising the committee that the obsacles created by the slopes of the land created a "prac- tically insuperable" project. The cost of abutments on the arch. alone. would be more than the city would be willing to spend, he wrote the committee.
 In view of general belief by en- gineers and architects that the pres ent court of honor could not be made permanent, work was next started on an appropriate monu- ment to be placed on top of the hill near the wading pool. the site se- lected b yevery architect who came here to compete.
 ThcT 1924 plan was worked out and presented to the city meeting board for appropriation and appro- val but it failed 10 pass the board. The project was then allowed to lay dormant for two years. and in 1925 Mayor Weld appointed the sam' committee. requesting that they make such changes in the plan as may seem advisable, and then ask the common council for the funds. the city meeting board having been dispensed with in the meantime. This was done and the council all lowed sl65.0o0 for the work.
 The Hayes Construction Co. was awarded d contract nearly two years ago and set out al once 10 complete the job. Several months ago the memorial committee Was added to for the purpose Of dDdl- eating the memorial and el&bOrat" plan; have been laid for nrNi *ai- urday'.; exercises.
 UT lN.-.t::i> n i'."i'...,:.,
 Capt Curtis Sh.ldon l.; chaiIuIH of the parade committee and mar shal for the parade which will move Through the central stl".tS Ji the city. at 3 o'clock in the afternoon Ct utui atIon day.
 Infantry and cavalry units of 'h' army and d division Of th" na|N ...:u In. I'm 4, IL ItLnll1-.l. L-t