Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09
10000 WILL SEE
Temple DEDICATED
Washington Memorial to Be
Formally Opened at Alex
andria in May.

Masons In the history Of the fraternity
Is expected at dedication ceremonies Of
the George washington Masonic Ma
tional Memorial at Alexandra, the date
Of which has Just been announced as
May IL, 1882.
News Of the plans for the ceremonies
was made public by J. Claude KEEPER.
secretafy-treasuref, following meeting
Of the Executive Committee OF the as
ISOLATION In the memorial. Mr.. KEEPER
SAYS word has been received that several
states, including California and South
Carolina, are going to send special trains
to washington during the week OF the
ceremonies. Three hundred Masons are
coming from Cuba Mr.. KEEPER pre-
diets there will be at least 100000 Ma
Asons in the aSsemblage. Nearly $4,000
Masons gathered at Alexandria at the
time of the laying Of the corner stone
November !, 1928. The President. the
Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court and
many members of the cabinet we're
present. Louis A. Watres of Pennsyl-
vanfa is president of the association and
chairman Of the Executive Committee
Services to Last Week.
The entire week beginning May O.,
1892, 1t is announced; will be given over
meetings Of national Masonic bodies
The association will hold short formal
meeting at the usual time In February,
but will hold its important business ses-
sion May IL, 1882 The United States
Bicentennial Commission has designated
the week beginning May as Masonic
week. Among the Masonic organiza-
tipns that will meet in washington the
week beginning May are the Grand
Masters Conference, which ordinarily
takes place in February: the Masonic
Service Association Of the United States,
the Grand Secretaries Conference, and
the annual meeting Of the National
League Of Masonic Clubs. The Grand
Comnlandery of Knights Templar Of
Virginia win hold Its meeting that week
In Alexandra trstsad OF in Richmond
as Is usual and win invite other grand
Communicates as It's guests.
Some Of the sessions Of the Masonic
bodies will be held in the Memorial and
others will be held in washington. The
business meeting Of the National Memo
rial Association May IL viii be held in
the Memorial, the exterior structure of
Witch has been completed.
$4,000 zoe Represented.
The Memorial which stands on a
commanding eminence known as Shoot
ers Hill, q part Of the Arlington ridge
on the main road between washington
aand Mount Vernon, win, when COM
plated represent an investment Of S4,-
100000. The overall depts, east
and west. Is 240 feet: the width l6s feet
and the height 1913 feet Already more
than $4,000, 600 has bsefl expended.
One Of the interesting features of the
structure is the great atritIm. comprising
the main central room and forming the
memorial hall in which win BE- set
statue OF heroic size The hall is 100
fget long ami 10 feet wide. Supporting
the columns are eight columns Of pol
tshed green granite, each 80 feet high
and 4i2 feet in diameter Surrounding
Memorial Hall viii be the rooms de-
voted to Masonic purposes. q replica Of
the old lodge room in which Washing
ten presided and ofiices Of the associa-
ton The second colonnade story viii
be the states memorial room, the third
viii house an extensive library and the
top will be for observation purposes.
The immense torch and airplane bea-
con which forms the cap Of the Memo
rial Temple, Is said to Be unequaled by
anything OF It's kind. The light con-
sisss of four radials covered with ali-
nlinum sheet Each radial is 10 feet
high and the four form q cross ct the
top. The powerful light IN the iarnn
chamber. aided by redect0rs, will reflect
against the metal and will form q bril-
Liant flaming torch Visible for many
miles.
View Of Territory.
A vast territory rich In historic sig
nihcance may be viewed from the tow
ers OF the Memorial The city Of wash
irgton and IT'S public buildings are
plainly visible. In front of the Memo
rial Is the city OF Al xandria with its
many places OF interest, such as the Ma
sonic Lodge OF which washington was
the first master, the Carlyle House.
Gadsby's Tavern. which was Washing
TONS headquarters on two occasions;
Christ Church, in which washington
owned pew, te old Presbyterian Meet
ing House, and homes Of many of Wash
tilgton's intimate friends.
West OF the temple is the Episcopal
Theological Seminary. one Of the oldest
institutions Of its kind in America. To,
the south Is Cameron Valley in which
are some of the interesting homesteads
OF Virginia and across the valley is
Mount Eagle. home Of Lord Fairfax, the
last house visited by Washington. At
the foot Of the hill and bordering the
ste 20 the south or the temple is the
Kings Highway. one OF the oldest and
most famous roads in America. Farther
20 the south is old Pohick Church, one
Of the truest examples OF Colonial archi-
lecture extant washington was a
member Of the Building Committee that
erected this church
Tf1e temple ultimately will house
many priceless relics all bearing on the
life Of Washington Among these win
be the clock from the room in which he
died, the cord Of which was cut by DR..
Dick, brother Mason, at the exact
minute of his death: the chair in which
he sat as master Of the lodge, the old
cslart=r bearing his name as master, and
hundred other relics that will in their
way give vivid picture Of the life Of
washington as q boy and man.