Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-14
.BOYLAN DEFENDS
S|TE0F MEMORIAL
AND POPE DESIGN
New Yorker Backs Present
Plans as Virginians Honor
Jefferson.
REQUEST BY ROOSEVELT
FOR $500, 900 is HAILED
Commission Head Expects Passage
of Bill to Make Birthday
National Holiday.
BULLETIN.

amend the act creating the Thomas
Jefferson Memorial Commission de-
signed to prevent the erection Of
the 100000 memorial to Jeffer-
son on the Tidal Basin site until
after a Nationwide competition
for a design is held.
With fighting words, Representa-
tive John J. Boylan, Democrat, Of
New York, chairman of the Thomas
Jefferson Memorial Commission, last
night told the annual banquet gather
ing OF the Society of Virginia of the
District Of Columbia that Il am happy
to inform you that the plans are
under way for the erection of a
suitable and dignified memorial to
the memory Of Thomas jefferson"
This memorial will be erected in
Potomac Park on site overlooking
the beloved hills of his native Vir-
ginia,' said the Representative.
AS he spoke over Station WMAL
and a Nationwide chain of the Ma
tional Broadcasting Co., Boylan laid
particular stress on the words suit
able" and "dignified," as well as "in
Potomac Park"-and the Virginians
applauded him, apparently catching
the significance of his words, which
were taken as an answer to the at
tacks made on his commission for
choosing that location and the de-
sign by the New York architect, John
Russell Pope.
Roosevelt Action Cited.
The Society of Virginia was hold
ing its annual dinner at the Willard
Hotel in honor of the Old Dominion's
famous son, Thomas jefferson. Boy
Ian said that he deemed it very ap-
propriate that President Roosevelt yes
terday, the birthday of jefferson.
should ask Congress to appropriate
100000 to initiate the building of
the memorial without delay to honor
the illustrious Vrginian. He expects
passage of his measure to make April
Is, Jefferson's birthday, a national
holiday, he said. This bill is pending
on the consent calendar of the House.
Assistant Secretary of State, R.
Walton Moore, the societys president,
likewise invited attention to Presi-
dent Roosevelt's action.
That" said he, lis an indication
that honor will be paid to the mem
DRY of an extraordinarily great man.
I am glad that Mr.. jefferson is to be
honored in the way indicated by Mr..
Boylan. There should also be memo
rails here to Patrick Henry, who fired
the spark of liberty; to James Madi-
son, who contributed to the framing
OF the Constitution of the United
States, and to many other Virgin
ians."
Representative Clifton A. Woodrum,
Democrat, of Virginia, declaring that
"Jefferson's place is fixed like the
eternal stars" called for fitting recog-
milton for Assistant Secretary Moore,
whom he termed "a great disciple of
the teachings of Thomas jefferson. !"
He said that there is no greater
apostle of democratic government"
than Moore. The society responded
by rising en- masse and applauding
Some 200 persons attended the gath
ering, and following the speech-mak-
ing dancing was held.
Descendants Introduced.
Mrs. Mamie Eppes Fleming. a
teacher in the District schools and a
hneal descendant of Jeffersons
daughter, Maria, who married John
Wales Eppes, was introduced to the
society by Assistant Secretary Moore.
She is a great-great-great-grand-
daughter of Jefferson.
e Hollins N. Randolph Of Charlottes-
vile, Va, a great-great-grandson of
Jefferson and member of the
Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commits
sion, was likewise present at last
nights gathering.
An engraving of jefferson hung at
the back of the speakers table. AT
the outset Assistant Secretary Moore
asserted that Jefferson, except for
Washington, is the ablest man our
commonwealth has produced, and ]
may say that our country has pro-
duced." The roster OF Virginia's Rep
resentatives was called, and respond
ing was Representatives Bland, Drew
ry, Woodrum, Burch. Robertson, Flan-
nagan and Hamilton. Neither Sena-
tor Glass nor Senator Byrd was able
to be present. Col Edwin A. Halsey
secretary of the Senate, was intro
duced to the gathering.
Belongs to ALL"
Senator Thomas, Democrat, Of
Utah, declaring that jefferson "be-
longs as much to Utah as to Vir-
ginia-belongs to all of the United
states and to the world"-said that thu
great Virginian did much to build ur
'the national cult of America"
Mrs. Lucille Foster Mcmillan, {
member Of the Civil Service Commits.
sion, recalled that Jefferson was {
| humanitarian ahead of his time.
The President asked Congress yes.
terday for $500, 900 to begin immedi.
ate construction of the memorial, ane
Acting Budget Direct Bell suggested
an appropriation for this sum be In
corporated in a deficiency bill.
Representative Boylan and other,
in the House paid tribute to Jefferson
yesterday at the opening of the ses.
sion.
The Memorial Commission received
reports from both the Fine Arts Com.
mission and the National Capital Parl
and Planning Commission on plan!
for construction of the memorial a
the south side Of the Tidal Basin IL
West Potomac Park. It was Learned
both commissions criticized the design
OF the proposed memorial drawn b!
] John Russell Pope, New York archi
tact