Evening star., 1939-11-16
Rooseve|t's Al.
Remark Stirs
Comment
Talk at Shrine Voices
Hope to Be Back
For Dedication
Tert OF Presidents address,
Page Ais.
BY HAROLD ROGERS.

TeTL OF PfeStdenCS G0QfeSS,
Page Ais.
BY HAROLD ROGERS.
President Roosevelt is looking for
ward to dedication in January, 1941,
of the new Jefferson Memorial on
the banks of the Tidal Basin, where
yesterday he laid the cornerstone,
and delivered a cryptic remark
about 1s41 which was not in his
prepared address.
It was prior to his eulogy of JEFF
ferson and praise for the principles
of republican government" as OPP
posed to the dictates of the self
chosen" that the Chief Executive
mentioned 1941, subject which,
politically, he has avoided with
persistence.
Referring to the fact that this
was the second time he had visited
the scene in his of1icial capacity,
the President looked forward to
his third visit, said: Il hope by
January, 1941, to be back for the
final dedication of the memorial
Itself"
Meaning Sought.
What he meant, no one could
explain. but it started a string of
conjecture, especially in political
circles, as to whether the Chief
Executive meant to imply one thing
or another about a third term.
1t was pointed out, however, that
January. 1941, marks two different
dates-the end Of the present term
of Mr.. Roosevelt, on January 20.
and the month when, according
to contract schedule, it is expected
the memorial will be ready for
dedication.
The President spoke briefly at the
corner stone laying, which took
place in beautiful weather, clear and
crisp. Arriving a few minutes early
at the scene, Mr. Roosevelt chatted
informally with Stuart G. Gibboney,
chairman of the Thomas Jefferson
Memorial Commission.
Flags Fly at Memorial.
Two giant garrison flags" the
largest used in the military service,
each 20 by 38 feet in size, waved
gently in the breeze from their wire
support stretched high above the
crowd. About the speakers platform
fluttered is post flags" representing
the is States which comprised the
Union when Thomas Jefferson be-
came President. In the center stood
one other flag, representing Ohio,
which was admitted to Statehood
during Jeferson's term of office.
Introduced by Mr.. Gibboney,
President Roosevelt referred to the
other two outstanding memorials
here to eminent Americans, the
Washington Monument and Lincoln
Memorial, adding that the third
great shrine" in this city was rising
to another American of many
parts, the Jefferson whose in
fluence is felt today in many of the
current activities of mankind"
1t was Jefferson's political phil
osophy which made him trans
cendent," the President declared.
Pointing out that Jefferson lived
as we live in the midst of struggle
between rule by the self-chosen
individual or the self f-appointed few.
and rule by the franchise and ap-
proval of the many" Mr.. Roosevelt
declared that the American people
''are more than ever satisfied with
the republican form of government. :"
Stresses Districts Role.
The national character" of the
District of Columbia was stressed by
the President
President Roosevelt was plainly
pleased with the historic little
trowel he used in laying the NOR
tar to set the cornerstone.
When he received it from the
hand of James Sherier, master
of George Washington Lodge of
Masons. at Alexandria, the Presi-
dent remarked that he was well
acquainted with this little trowel." I"
isn't it a beauty" he asked.
Then he firmly took a trowelful of
mortar and spread it beneath the
huge stone. The stone was lowered
by its support from large steel
cranes above. The President tapped
the stone with a gavel from a tree
planted by Jefferson.
The President also chatted with
Otto Eggers. member of the firm of
the late John Russell Pope, archi-
tects for the structure, and John
McShain, contractor. Mr.. McShain
is also contractor for the new library
which is being built on the Presi-
dents estate at Hyde Park, N. Y,
to house his papers, where the cor
nerstone is to be laid next Sunday.
The president told Mr.. McShain he
would see him then.