The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-25
is given a, approximately seven tons


The purpose OF Memorial Hall. or the Shrine
Room, Is 10 inspire good citizenship in all those
who vlsl, H. This inspiration will come from the
room itself it's architectural treatment. It's shape
and lighting. which all form a magnificent set
ting for the American flag. hangt7g In the center
OF the room. above which shines the crystal star
OF Destiny. Beneath the flag Is placed the Altar
OF Conservation. II Is also presumed that the
room viii extend a hand of fellows ship and vel
come 10 all nations OF the world as typlhed In
the inscriptions on the four sides OF the Altar.
Around the inside perimeter OF the room Is a
marble walnscoi about II feet high. In this mar
BILE walnscot on the east and west sides are SIX
inches. three on each side. which frame the por-
traits OF the leading soldiers OF America. France.
England. Belgium. Italy and Serbia, painted by
Walter Brough. Above the marble walnscot
around the entire perimeter OF the room Is an
Allegorleal sculptured frieEe: the subject on the
north wall represents America joining the Allies.
under the conditions OF prevailing. the
head Of war appearing over the world OF turmoil
The east and west sides devoted 10 the por-
traynl of the great struggle. The south side indi-
Gates the contrasting conditions realized by ult-
mate peace and the activities OF mankind under
these conditions The sculptor for this work was
Frank Jlrouch.
The main architectural features OF the room
are the 10 dark red columns OF American marble
surrounding the room. the shafts OF which are
approximately 40 feet high the color OF the
marble Itself being a symbol The columns stand
unusually close together symbollIlng the de-
tense OF the nation in their sturdy quality. and
the aspiration OF the nation in their verticallty
The columns stand on bronze bases which In
turn are seated on dark green American marble
The capitals are richly decorated in gold and
form a noble termination 10 the shafts.
Between the corner pllasters and columns ad-
jacent 10 them are groups OF flags OF all the
Allied nations. again echoIng the international
spirit OF the room In the four corners OF the
room are four silk banners OF royal blue upon
which are embroidered the American eagle from
the official seal OF the United States. The ban
ners are placed between the flags Of the Allies
symbollcally linking them together.
The Altar TO the Flag is In no way a religious
altar in any part OF its design but rather an
altar where homage can be paid 10 the flag and
where people can consecrate themselves 10 good
citizenship and patriotism. This is intended TO
be world wide in scope. the four sides OF the
altar facing north. south. east and west The
four marble eagles at the corner OF the altar
are the guardians OF the shrine and the gold
stars In the blue marble field above the eagles
represent a united band OF states. The top OF the
shrine is executed In brilliantly colored enam-
els embracing the American golden eagle the
shield OF the United States. the wreath OF mem
ory the palms OF victory and broad gold rib
bon upon which is inscribed In blood red letters
the pledge OF allegiance TO the flag. On the four
sides OF the altar are appropriate inscriptions
AT each corner OF the altar and situated on
the raised plnth are four marble and gold tri-
pods representing sentinels OF light throwing
their luster on the apotheosis OF the whole de-
sign. the American Gag. whose dimension Is
about II by 30 feet Above the flag Is the Star
OF Destiny, a large crystal star symbolzlng the
guidance OF the future welfare OF the nation.
Looking down from the north end OF the
Plaza is the James Whitcomb Riley library, con-
sidered one OF the finest examples OF Greek
architecture In this country. The south end OF
the Plaza Is beautiful square OF old trees.
shrubbery, flower beds and grass. It's central
figure is the graceful De Pew memorial water
fountain. At the south side Of this square stands
the Benjamin Harrison statue In the southeast
corner is being erected a statue OF Abraham
Lincoln. the gift OF Henry Clay Long, veteran
OF the Civil war. At his death In 1901 Mr. Long
left fund TO provide this statue with the pro-
vision that II be erected in this location In the
near future, a statue OF Woodrow wilson the
World war President, will be erected In the
southwest corner Of this square. At the south
end stands the large federal building which is
to have extensive additions In the near future
II Is hoped that before many years have elapsed,
the Plaza will be surrounded by handsome
structures such as the Scottish Rite cathedral
situated on the west side
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