Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1934-05-23

- of'@ a. ApPfcAA1s1tSty WIS
The purpose of Memorial Hall, or the Shrine
Room, lis to inspire good citizenship In all those
who visit 1t. This inspiration will come from the
room itself, Its architectural treatment, its shape
and lighting, which all form a 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 a hand of fellowship and well
come to all nations of the world as typifed In
the Inscriptions on the four sides of the Altar.
Around the inside ~perimeter of the room LIS a
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 Br0ugh. Above the marble wainscOt
around the entire p%erimeter of the room Is an
allegorical sculptured 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 ulti-
mate peace and the activities of mankind under
these conditions. The sculptor for this work was
Frank Jirouch.
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, symbolizing the de-
Tense of the nation In their sturdy quality, and
the aspiration OF the nation In their verticality.
The columns stand on bronze bases which in
turn are seated on dark green American marble.
Thu nor4fn1u arn wfnb1,, oo1~ot1 L. ~-1z -
form a noble termination to the shafts.
Between the corner ~pilasters and columns adj
jacent to 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
symbolically linking them together.
The Altar to the Flag is in no way q religious
altar in any part of Its design but rather an
altar where homage can be paid to the flag, and
where people can consecrate themselves to good
citizenship and patriotism. This lis 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 men,
DRY, the palms of victory and a 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 Duuth are four marble and gold FRI
pods representing s~entinels Of light throwing
their luster on the apotheosis OF the whole de-
sign, the American flag, whose dimension is
about IL by 30 feet. Above the flag Ia the Star
of Destiny. a large crystal star symbolizing the
guidance of the future welfare Of the nation.
Looking down from the north end OF the
Plaza La 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 q beautiful square of old trees,
shrubbery, flower beds and grass. ITS 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, a veteran
of the Civil war. AT his death In 1901, Mr.. Ions
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.
1t Ia 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.
@by Western Newspaper unisaL