Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-06
HOUSE BILL WOULD
ALLOW IMPROVING
ARLINGTON SHRINE
War Department Measure
Sets Aside Large Fund for
National Cemeteries.
LEE MANSION INCLUDED
IN MEMORIAL PROGRAM
Work Would Link in With New
Bridge; Future Road Plan
Is Outlined.

Improvements at Arlington National
Cemetery to link in with the new
Memorial Bridge and the restoration of
the Lee Mansion are provided for in
the War Department appropriation bill
reported to the House today.
Under this measure Uncle Sam will
continue the work Of properly marking
and preserving the national shrines,
especially those connected with the hero
dead of the Nation.
This measure carries total of
81, 129,038 for national cemeteries, which
is an increase of $3.50, 486 over current
appropriations, and total OF S303,894
for national military parks, which Is
decrease of $121 1874 under current APP
preparations.
Provision is made in this bill for
starting work on a new road for
Arlington National Cemetery, the
Valhalla of the United States Govern
ment where the military dead are
buried, which will lead from the new
Memorial Bridge to the reconstructed
Lee Mansion.
Road Changes Necessitated.
The Memorial. Bridge, costing up
wards of $4,000 900, is going to make
necessary extensive changes in the road
system in Arlington, at total expense
of approximately 100000. This bill
carries $58,270 for this new road,
SIS, 900 for new superintendent lodge,
because the restoration of the mansion
house made 1t necessary to provide other
quarters for the superintendent.
The bill carries approximately $110,-
900 for Confederate headstones and
Ottny fIIy1dc will rorfT1it clIY1rIyyino Civil
Spanish and World War stones at a
rate faster. than heretofore. The in
stallation of headStoneS in cemeteries
in Europe has been completed.
The report on the War Department
bill shows that there has been appro-
priated heretofore for the restoration
of the Lee Mansion in Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery 100000. 1t is under
stood that restoration will be completed
outbuildings and the surrounding
grounds.
1t is estimated that not exceeding
S38, 500 will be needed for the interior
furnishings. A number of interesting
interior furnishings have already been
purchased and many have been do
mated.
The bill carries $4,000, which, with
the balance on hand, the House COM
equate to complete the restoration.
Language has been inserted at the re-
quest of the guartermaster general
granting authority which facilitates the
work of restoring donated articles to
something approaching original con-
dition.
The existing Lee Mansion is being
completely overhauled and the sur
rounding buildings are being restored
&c tknN nj fInn ~ I1o NV
War. The slave quarters will be put
back in the condition that they were.
1t is expected that many of the pieces
of furniture originally used in the Lee
Mansion will be brought back. A care
full study has been made regarding
these interior fittings and their history
Furniture Is Donated.
During the hearings on this bill,
list was submitted of furniture donated
for use in the restored mansion, includ-
ing water-color drawing of Arlington
House by LOSING. donated by Mrs.
Moses A. Hastings, Lancaster, N. r.
Among the bits of furniture purchased
for use in the mansion are a bedside
table, or candlestand, originally from
Mount Vernon. Duncan Phyfe side
chair, a small mahogany drop-leaf
table of the Sheraton type, rare Cur
rier print of George and Martha WASH
ington, and mahogany hanging wall
mirror.
For the maintenance of the reserva-
ton at Wakefield, Va, the birthplace
of Washington, $4,000 is recommended.
which is identical with the current APP
preparation.
The committee. was notified during
hearings that deficiency appropriation
of $4,000 has been submitted for
completing the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier at Arlington.