The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-05-24
is given at approximately seven tons.

The purpose Of Memorial Hall. or the Shrine
Room, Is to inspire good citizenship In all those
who visit 1t. This inspiration will come from the
room itself. Its architectural treatment It's shape
and lighting which all form magnificent set
ting for the American flag, hanging in the center
OF the room above which shines the crystal Star
OF Destiny. Beneath the flag Is placed the Altar
of Conservation. 1t Is also presumed that the
room will extend d hand of fellowship ana wei
come to all nations OF the world as typifeu In
the Inscriptions on the four sides OF the Altar.
Around the inside perimeter OF the room Is =
marble wainscot about II feet high. In this mar
BILE wainscot 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
allegorical scuptured frieze; the subject on the
north wall represents America Joining the Allies
under the conditions OF war prevailing, the
head OF war appearing over the world OF turmoil
The east and west sides are devoted to the por
trayal 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 is 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 symbol. The columns stand
unusually close together. symbolizlng the de-
Tense OF the nation In their sturdy quality, and
the aspiration OF the nation In their vertically.
The columns stand on bronze bases which In
turn are seated on dark green American marble.
The capitals are richly decorated In gold and
eorvx, a Y,oh1o Termination tn fhp shafts.
Between the corner piasters and columns ad-
1aeent to them are groups OF flags OF all the
Allied nations, again echong the international
snlrit 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
symbocally linking them together.
The Altar to the Flag Is in no way religious
altar In any part Of Its design but rather an
altar where homage can be paid to the nag, and
where people can consecrate themselves to 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 q united band OF states Inc top OF the
shrine iS executed In DTliiAniiJ coioi1u chahi-
Ella embracing the American golden eagle the
shield OF the United States the wreath OF mem
ory the palms of victory and broad gold rib
hon unon which Ia inscribed In blood red letter.
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
tha raised ninth are four marble and gold tri
pods representing sentnels OF light throwing
tbaIr Iustar On the apotheoss OF the whole de
Sign the American flag, whose dimension II
about IL by 30 feet. Above the flag IS the star
of Destiny, a large crystal star symbolizing tns
guidance OF the future welfare OF the nation
Looking down from the north end OF fhs
Plaza Is the James Whitcomb Riley library con
sldered one OF the finest examples or Greel
architecture In this country. The south end o
tho plaza Ia a beautiful square OF old trees
shrubbery flower beds and grass. Its centra
figure il tho graceful De Pew memorial waite
fountain At tho south side OF this square stand
the BENJAMIN Harrison statue. In the southeas
corner Is being erected statue Oh nprhhhn
Lincoln. the gift OF Henry Clay Long, veteran
of the Civil war At his death IN 1871, mr. Lon
left fund to provide this statue with the pro
vision that II be erected In this location Ia IN
near future a statue OF Woodrow wilson. IN
World war President will be erected In IN
southwest corner of this square. At the sout
end stands the large federal building Wnich
TO have extensive additions In the near Iutur'
1t la hoped that before many years have elapsed
the Plaza will be surrounded Dy nahusom
strucurea .uch sx the Scottish Rite cnthedra
elf al A,.t ~. af