Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-10
NEGRO MEMORIAL
PROJECT is PUSHED
Plans Going Forward for
/ Constructing Building
+. in Washington.

Plans for national memorial build
Ing project in Washington as "a tribute
to the Negroes contribution to the
achievements of America" are going
forward following enactment of a law
just before President Coolidge left Office
authorizing a memorial.
While details of picking a site and
constructing the building are to be left
to commission of Is to be appointed
by President Hoover site somewhere
near Howard University is understood
TO be favored by colored leaders.
The measure authorizes an appropri-
alton from the Federal treasury of
$4,000 to assist in carrying out the
plans. The National Memorial Asso-
citation, which is sponsoring the move
i1lent, will lay plans to raise 81 100000
to erect and maintain the building
Plans for a proposed memorial have
been submitted by the Memorial Asso-
citation to the Fine Arts Commission.
They were drawn by colored archi-
tect Edward r. Williams of New York
City, a graduate of Hampton Institute,
Virginia and Tuskegee Institute, Tuske-
gee, Ala.
Building Would Seat 5000.
The proposed building. according to
tentative plans, would have an audi
forum with seating capacity of from
1000 to 5000 and would contain a
hall of fame. art and music rooms,
library and reading rooms, museum,
statues and tablets concentrating
particular events.
The measure was introduced in the
Senate by Senator tnow Vice President)
Curtis. and in the House by Represent
alive TAYLOR of Tennessee
II think this would be a splendid
tribute to very large number of our
citizenship, for the valor that these
citizens have shown in times of war
and for what they have done in times
of peace" Representative Wood of In
diana told the House committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds during hear
ings on the bill
The commission is to include the
director of public buildings and public
parks of the National Capital, the SUI
pervising architect of the Treasury. the
architect of the Capitol and others.
The commission Is authorized to en-
ploy the services of such artists. Sculp-
tors, architects and Others as It shall
determine to be necessary, and avail
itself of the services or advice of the
Commission of Fine Arts, the office of
Public Buildings and Public Parks of
the National Capital, the Supervising
Architect of the Treasury and the
architect of the Capitol
Meeting to Be Held Soon.
A meeting of the National Memorial
Association will be held some time this
Spring to lay plans for raising the
funds. The act prescribes the building
shall cost not less than 100000, to be
provided by voluntary contributions
Officers of the National Memorial
Association are: President, Ferdinand
D. Lee of this city, graduate of Hamp-
ton Institute and of Howard Univer-
sity Law School; secretary, Samuel G..
Smith; treasurer, DR.. John r. Hawkins,
financial secretary of the A. M. E.
Church and president of the Prudential
Bank; vice presidents. DR.. Robert R.
Motion. president of Tuskegee; Mrs.
Julia West Hamilton, and Rev. w. H.
Jernigan of this city.
Mr. Lee in testifying before the COM
naittee declared: "Inasmuch as there Is
not suitable building in this coun-
Try where the development of our race
along the lines of invention and art
could be exhibited, we feel that it would