Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-03
TT1REEFOLD MEMORIAL TO PAY
HONOR TO STEPHEN T. MATT1ER
Bronze Plaques to Be Put
in Each National Park
and Monument.
Realization of Projects He
Sponsored Is Part Of Pro-
gram of Tribute.

From q bewildering array of sug-
geStionS received from all parts of the
United States the executive COMMITTEES
of the Stephen T. Mather Apprecia-
ton, of which John Hays Hammond
is chairman, has evolved a compre-
hensive and elastic threefold program
for immortalizing the name CT 1.-The
father OF our national parks"
! The plan. as made public today by
| Chairman Hammond, contemplateS the
erect on of handsome bronze memorial
| plaques in each of Americas national
| parks and So-called national monu-
mentS, the development of an appro-
| pirate Mather memorial in the Ma
| ttonal Capital and realization Of various
park projects conceived by the late di-
rector OF the National Park Service.
Baker 10 Design Model.
Bryant Baker, noted sculptor, former
| ly of this CITY, but now of New York,
has been commissioned by the COM
| mittee to design the model plaque,
which will bear in bias relief the life
size bust of Mr.. Mather, with an in
scription summarizing his achievements
| in the cause OF national parks. Mr..
Bakers most recent work, The Pioneer
Woman" was ded Gated in Ponca City,
| Okla, few weeks ago. The sculptor
| was a personal friend of Mr. Mather
| and is a member of the appreciation
committee.
Few proposals for memorials for pub
lie men have evoked such widespread
interest or so enthusiastic a response
| as the proposal to honor the memory
| of Mr.. Mather. Hundreds of letters
| were received by the committee and
from these q list of nearly 40 distinct
suggestions for the memorial was tabu-
lated. All of these suggestions, in
digest form, were submitted to each
| of the 263 members of the national
committee.
Selection Is Difficult.
"The suggestions that have come to
the executive committee from the poll
of the members of the national COM
mittee," MIR. Hammond announced,
have been numerous and varied. This
would naturally be the case, since Mr..
Mather'S interest in parks and the use
and preservation of the wonders and
beauties of nature was so varied and
far-reaching, and the recognition of his
influence and his outstanding service
Nation wide.
THE committee has not found it easy
to determine upon any one of the Sug-
geStionS. Any memorial must be to an
extent localized, while the fame and
service of Stephen T. Mather were not
local. The committee has been highly
gratified by the national interest in the
tribute to Mr. Mather and by the strong
interest manifested in the completion
of so many of the projects that were
dear to his heart.
stephen T. Mather never was solicit
tous about his own name or fame, but
was deeply devoted to the expansion and
4 nf
preservation and enjoyment Of nature. :"
Three way Plan Solved Task.
The task of choosing the most fitting
form for the appreciation" was solved
by adoption Of the following three-way
plan:
/. Preparation by Mr. Baker of a
| bronze plaque to be erected on bouldefS.
gateways or other suitable bases in each
of the % national parks and SO ma
tional monuments. The latter include
such Government controlled scenic at
fractions as the Petrifled Forest In Arr
zona and other points of interest not
in the category of parks. According 70
the sculptor, the plaque will be bordered
by symbols or names OF the various
marks and inscribed with biographical
-epitomeF and sentence or two from Mr.
Mather's writings, expressive OF MS
iceals.
2. Provision by the Federal Govern.
ment for some suitable form of tribute"
in this city. The committee felt that Mr.
Mather's work was $50 essentially ma
tional in character, his influence so de-
cidedly national and the appreciation
of his contribution to his country so Ma
tion-wide" that the Government Shoulo
create a national memorial. The Manner
committee will cooperate TO aio IN
bringing such q memorial into existence
Completion of Park Projects.
Comuletion of numerous local,
States and national park protects pro-
posed by Mr.. Mather, but not yet con-
stephen T. Mather had many highly
desirable local, State and national park
projects In process of development, 70
each of which he gave ungrudgingly ms
enthusiasm, his irresistible personality
and his organizing ability" Mr. HAM
mond explained. Many OF these are
supported warmly by effective groups
who desire to carry them into actuanty
| in appreciation Of his leadership: Eacn
| dream realized will be eloquent testl.
mony to the wisdom Of his vision ana
| the strength of his influence. 1t Is
thought that not one, but many OF these
dreams should be realized, and the COM
mittee believes that it Is entirely FEAST
BILE that each of these groups may very
well accomplish that result. 1t is the
desire OF the appreciation committee 70
cooperate with each of these groups In
every way possible, to bring about the
realization Of these projects"
Cramton to Aid In Congress.
Representative Cramton of Michigan
author Of the Capper- Cramton Park Dill
and a stanch admirer Of Mr.. Mather, L
expected to sponsor whatever Legislative
PROPOSAL is advanced with respect to the
| suggested national Mather Memorial
| here. The Mather committee, OF which
| Mr.. Cramton is a member, has reacnec
| as yet no definite plan for a recon-
mendation in this connection.
The executive committee OF tht
Stephen T. Mather Appreciation in
cludes, in addition to Chairman Ham
mond. George w. White, treasurer; Rep
resentative Cramton, DR.. Gilbert H
GroSvenor, DR.. Vernon L. Kellogg
| Theodore w. Noyes and Mrs. Henry A
Strong.
This group was swamped with CORE
4 spondence from friends and admirers
of Mr. Mather, who had suggestions K
make as to the form Of memorial. Some
of the proposals were backed by scores
of letters and kilograms advancing argu'
ments in behalf of selection of a par
ticular project Californians flooded thC
committee with requests that the Red
wood Mountain forest near Sequoia Ma
tional Park be purchased and named
for Mr.. Mather. From the State o.
| Washington came urgent pleas that