Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-23
AID FOR MEMORIAL !
ASKED BY. HUGHES.
Nationwide Appeal for
Funds for Washington j
Auditorium Sounded.

A Nationwide appeal for funds for the
completion of the George Washington
Memorial Auditorium at Seventh and
B streets in time for the celebration of
the two hundredth anniversary of the
birth Of the Father of His Country three
years hence was sent out to the Nation
over the radio last night by Charles
Evans Hughes. former Secretary OF
State, speaking over Station WEAF In
New York.
The appeal was made by Mr. Hughes
In behalf of the George Washington
Memorial Association, Of which Mrs,
Henry F. Dimock of Washington is
president. Mr.. Hughes paid high tribute
to the character of the Revolutionary
leader and first President. quoting also
the eulogies written of him by his CO.
temporaries. -
Washington" said Mr.. Hughes, pre-
eminently desired TO see the develop
ment of the national spirit Let u.s.
he said. 'in all matters of general con-
Germ act as nation which has national
objects to promote and national char
acter to support 1t was in this ma
tional interest that Washington desired
to promote an institution for the gen.
eral diffusion of knowledge
"One of the most important meth
DDS" Mr.. Hughes continued, "of devel-
oping interest in matters of general
concern-one of the most useful means
of diffusing knowledge-is through the
meetings of our great societies and or
CARNATIONS, which give to the Nation
and to the world at large the varied
results of progress. What finer memorial
could we erect to the character ann.
ideals of Washington than a great
building nobly planned in the Nations
Capital to serve as the meeting place
for the great educational interests Of
the country?
Calls IL Worthy Purpose.
EFT is because of this worthy purpose
that am glad to take this opportunity
to tell you of the memorial building
which is being erected by the George
Washington Memorial Association. 1t Is
building very much needed In Wash
ington, as we have no suitable place
for the meetings Of national and inter-
national societies. The Government has
given a large square of land on Seventh
and B streets to the George Washington
Memorial Association for the distinct
purpose of carrying out Washington's
wish for an institution for the general
diffusion of knowledge The founda-
tons have been laid and paid for, and
it is now the privilege Of the people Of
this country to take advantage of this
opportunity and to complete this build-'
ing so that 1t will be ready in 1882.
when we celebrate the 200th anniversary
Of George Washington's birth.
1T i'll be one of the most beautiful
buildings in America-what Chief Jus
tiee Taft has called triumph Of
architecture worthy of the subject
"" Adjoining the front of this i'm
| posing ediflce will be series of marble
columns. one for each Of the Is original
States and one in the center for the
| District Of Columbia. When the build
\ ing Is completed 10 will be turned over
| to the Government and will be under
| the direction of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition, whose statutory members are
| the President of the United States, the
Vice President. the Chief Justice and
the heads Of the executive departments,
and whose affairs are administered by
board of regents composed Of the
!, Vice President. the Chief Justice, three
| Senators. three members of the House
| OF Representatives. with six other per-
sons selected by Congress.
Says All U. S. Should Help.
"In order to carry out the national
project in the erection of this memo
rial building from $1,000, 900 to sIO.-
| 000, COO will be required. This is a large
sum, but 1t Is great country and as
this is to be a peoples building. every
one throughout the country should be
concerned IN its completion.
| We are now looking to the
| year 1882. We are planning for a no.
/ table celebration, but we have no suit
| able structure in which the gathering
In honor OF Washington on the two hum
! dredth anniversary of his birth can bel
| held. Better than any celebration In
GRAFTON, exposition, or entertainment.
more fitting than any ephemeral ex-I
| preston, would be the dedication ati
| that time of this memorial buildingI
| made possible by the gifts not OF a few'
but Of the entire people without diStinc-
| ton of section, sex, race or creed.
I'VE have a national pride in the
beauty of the Capital City. No Amer
| lean can forget the thrill of his firsd|
| visit to this center of the Nations In
terests. wish that all could expert
ence that keen pleasure. But here Is
an opportunity for every citizen to have
share in the finest memorial of which,
any country can boast--a testimonial
| to the purest of patriots, one whon'
I Edward Everett described as the great.
/ est of good men and the best OF great.
men,
May we not together, in a splendid
unity-itSelf a tribute-establish thisI
memorial building. at once expressing 81
| sense of our indebtedness to the memoryI
/ of Washington and creating an instru-'
| mentality OF invaluable service to the'
| American Nation?"