Evening star., 1928-06-17

washington as the one for the Capital
of the United States stupendous tenn
pie is being built by the Masons as q
memorial TO him.
Jefferson and Adams selected the
eminence overlooking the Potomac and
surrounding country redolent of colonial
and early American history as o site for
the Nations Capital, but the man who
served his country In war and In peace
would not approve their choice. not be-
cause he did not agree as to its beauty
and suitability, but because he owned
so very much of the adjacent property
He did not choose to have the Capital
involved In what could be considered
a real estate promotion scheme.
The physical characteristics which
made Shooters Hill superb location
for 1t make it equally desirable as the
site Of the George Washington Masonic
National Memorial In addition, the ac-
tivities of Washington In that locality
and the affection he felt for IL make
1t doubly appropriate. As youth visit
Ing his brothers estate, Mount Vernon,
he was known In the neighboring vicin-
ity. Later as the famous mansions mas
ter 1t might be said that Alexandria was
the city To which he comn1uted. He
knew Gen. Braddock there, he had a
pew In Christ Church. there he was
master OF a lodge, and there he was
feted on his birthdays by the Alexan-
driars.
To BE Completed In 1882.
This huge memorial, which is no
longer dream, but which Is becoming
reality, win be completed for the ma
tionai celebration In honor of the 200th
anniversary OF the birth OF the man who
guided young America In war and In
government. Dedication exercises will
be held az that time.
With the exterior of the structure
now complete UP to the tower portion,
visitors can obtain some idea OF the
finished product, for much OF the beau
tifui landscaping which lends the fin-
isning touch is already incorporated.
~ was necessary 10 cut of the top of
the hill In order TO start work. so to
prevent the needless moving Of the soil
TO and fro 1t was deposited In the ar
tistic terraces specified by the plan
nefs and Is now sodded.
The memorial has been created from
the twofold desire to honor George
washington the man and the Mason
and 10 protect and display the gouve-
Mrs OF the time when he presided,
The story OF how the lodge received the
priceless collection and the conversion
OF Its members to the building OF q ma
tionai repository and shrine Is all part
OF the history Of the temple that COM
mands a view Of Washington, Alexan-
dria, the Potomac and historic estates
Of the countryside.
After the death Of her distinguished
husband Martha Washington presented
the clock that On the mantelpiece OF
his bedroom had marked the last mo-
ments oi his life to the lodge OF which
he was the first master. Other mem-
ners OF his family. appreciating Gen.
Washington's interest In Masonry. SUBJ
sequently presented relics that had had
a place In his life. Fortunes have been
offered for them, but their guardians
consider them priceless.
In Danger OF Destruction.
Their treasures were housed in the
City Hall and went unscathed through
two wars, during which Alexandria was
occupied first by English and then by
Union soldiers. A fire later reduced
the number Of relics despite heroic ef-
forts OF the Fire Department and
Masons. After the remainder had been
restored to their places In the rebuilt
temple. II was closed to the public for
nearly 40 years.
With the advent Of an electric rail-
way and better roads 10 the little city
which formerly had been accessible
only by boat came the demand TO see
the collection. Approaching the inter-
est and rights Of Masons 10 view 1t,
arrangements we're made I'm 1907 80
that both they and the public could be
admitted. Now nearly $4,000 people
Visit the lodge annually.
Concerned with the protection OF 80
valuable an exhibit, for the handiwork
oi those vandals called souvenir col
iectora and the danger Of fire must ever
De guarded against. Masons from other
iouges suggested the raising of funds to
build shrine To contain II.
II was at this time that the older
members of Washington'a lodge we're
unwilling 10 accept money from other
Masons, They said that their orsaniga~
tion was stlf~supporting and without
DEBT and that such money would be
charity and not In accordance with Ma
sonic principles, Later, when Ii was
suggested to build q hitting memorial
10 George Washington and make the
housing OF this collection one of the
features OF the proposed temple, they
agreed. Az result, 10 years ago an
organization was formed In Alexandria
on the anniversary OF his birth 10
plan and erect monument that would
be an honor TO that iliuatrious member
The project. which will probably run
into S5.0D0.600, will he chiefly financed
by dollar contributions from Masons,
who number more than 1900. 900. How
ever, contributions Of any size are ac~
| feptabls and larger donations are en-
eauraged.
Schedule for Gifts.
IL IL suggested that members or
groups contribute listed amounts which
VIII enable them To name certain por~
Liona OF the structure. A window may
be named for III 900. Gandeiabra, Hvi~
IDENTIFY from the prizes more elaborate
! even than the silver ones at Mount
Vernon, tor $4,000. Judging by size.