Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-27
TITANIC MEMORIAL
EXERCISES HELD
Monument Symbolizing Spirit
of Sacrifice Unveiled by
Mrs. Taft.

The Titanic Memorial, erected in
honor OF the brave men aboard the
liner who gave their lives that women
and children might be saved, was I'M
yelled yesterday at exercises attended
by President and Mrs. Hoover, cabinet
officers, high-ranking service officials
and distinguished guests.
Mrs. William Howard Taft, who was
the First Lady of the Land when the
great maritime disaster occurred, I'M
yelled the striking memorial, which
represents a figure, with hands out
stretched. typifying the spirit of
sacrifice.
The memorial stands on the bank Of
the Potomac at the foot of New
Hampshire avenue. 1t was built by con-
tributions from the women Of America
all over the world and was executed by
Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney of New
York, who was prevented by illness
from participating in yesterdays ex-
erciSeS.
Secretary Stimson Presides.
Secretary Stimson. as chairman of
the occasion, explained to the audience
that Mrs. Whitney for her memorial
took as her symbol the greatest of all
sacrtfices-the croSs-for He died that
others might be saved"
Hailed as "a notable work of art" by
Representative Robert Luce, Republican,
OF Massachusetts,, chairman of the
House Committee on the Library the
orator of the day, the memorial has
been erected, he said, as IAN enduring
symbol of. a characteristic of human
nature that should be an inspiration for
generations to come"
In the next 20 days in the United
States, automobile fatalities will take as
a. iY1 h. I'D
Representative Luce told the gather
ing, reminding it that more than 1900
lives were lost in the tragedy, but he
added that 1T would serve no useful
purpose to reten step by step the har-
rowing story" While he was speaking
q boat in the vicinity wllistled shriIly.
adding q maritime atmosphere to the
proceedings, dedicated to one Of the
greatest Of nautical catastproties.
Recalls Heroinn Of Crew.
Representative Luce recalled that
while there were 1892 men on board.
only 20 per cent were saved. OF the
63l women and children on the Titanic,
70 per cent were saved, he asserted,
adding that 1.-The difference in this
proportion is the reason for this me-
mortal and our presence here today"
Although the captain may have erred,
he said, he paid for it with his life and
the officers and crew of the Titanic on
the whole conducted themselves "in
keeping with the traditions of the sea-"
Inc women, he continued, deserve
praise, for some took the oars on the
lifeboats. OF the 2,223 aboard the
Titanic, only TOO were saved.
The heroism of the men Of the
Titanic who gave their lives that
women and children might live, Repre-
sentative Luce said, was that funda-
mental instinct of human nature that
leads mankind to sacrifice"
Expressing the fear that gallantry
and chivalry are destined to disappear
with the new manner Of living, he
stage can be proud of the gallantry
and courage on the decks Of the IT.
tanic" He said that the men who
made this sacrifice were gentlemen
unafraid, swift to duty, ready to sacri-
nc life itself, for they responded to
the chivalry that lies deep In every
human heart"
Mrs. Hammond Absent,
'Tet this monument inspire each
man Of us TO be in life as far as may
be within his power like the perfect
knight Of old sans peur ct sans re-
proache,'" said Representative Luce
LIST IL encourage each man OF us to
hope that II the inevitable end comes
in form revealing our souls, we, too,
may be adjudged by the world to have
been men, ready to sacrifice even life
itself for others, men who proudly
answered. women and children first !"
Mrs. John hays Hammond, CHAIR
man Of the Women's Titanic Memorial
Association, which erected the memo
rial. was unable to be present, due to
illness, and Mrs. James w. Wadsworth,
tr., made the presentation Of the monu-
n1ent to the Nation. Lieut.. Col. U. s.
Grant, Sd, director Of Public Buildings
and Public Parks, presented Secretary
Stimson TO the audience Right Rev.
James Z. Freeman, D. D., Bishop Of
washington, pronounced the invocation
and after Mrs. Taft unveiled the me-
mortal the Marine Band played THE
Star Spangled Banner" while a sailor
ho4sted the American flag over the
memorial. At the close OF Mr.. Luce's
address, the Marine Band played
America" and Mrs. Robert S. Chew
presented wreath Gin tribute to the
Spirit Of Sacrifice which this monu-
ment typifes."