Evening star., 1944-02-23
Monument Society
10 Ask Resurfacinq
OF Washington Shaft

HeSurIaclng OF the lower portion
of the Washington Monument, as a
postwar public works project, will
be recommended to Congress by q
committee from the Washington Ma
tional Monument Society, the society
decided yesterday at its 111th annual
meeting. The estimated cost is ap-
lproximately $350,000.
This action, and the election to
the unofficial society membership of
John Lord O'Brian, general counsel
| for the War Production Board, to fill
a vacancy caused by the death last
June Of Bishop James E Freeman,
were high lights Of the society's
meeting at the Metropolitan Club.
Meanwhile, WaShingtonians re-
turned to normal tasks after paus-
ing yesterday to eulogize George
Washington on the 212th anniver-
Sary Of his birth. Tributes to the
first President were accompanied
by traditional wreath-laying cere-
monies at the Monument and the
tomb at Mount Vernon.
Defaced by Weather.
The Monument Society's attention
was called to the condition of the
first $50 feet of outer surface of the
monument, defaced by weather. This
surface consists of marble blocks Is
feet thick. Resurfacing, it was said,
would involve cutting the base
about 8 inches and replacing it with
new marble or white granite blocks.
A report of the condition and op-
GRAFTON of the monument, furnished
by Associate Director A. E. Dema-
ray Of the National Park Service,
disclosed that visits during 1943 to-
tailed All 1894. OF these, 167, ,023 were
uniformed visitors and others were
civilians. The total number who
have gone to the top OF the shaft
since 1t was opened to the public
on October 8, 1888, reached 19,1s7,-
301 at the close OF last year, the
society was told.
Visits during 1943 remained on a
par with those OF the preceding year,
Mr.. Demaray reported, despite six
day work weeks for Federal employees
here and the pleasure driving ban
that remained in effect throughout
the spring and summer months.
Elevator Fees, SEA, 900.
The total revenue obtained from
the collection of elevator fees Q0
cents per person. was approximately
$23 900, or a sum equal to the ex-
penditures made by the National
Capital Parks In operating and
maintaining the shrine, the society
was told. Servicemen and women
are not required to pay the elevator
fee.
1T is to be anticipated, there
fore" the report states, that the
return of peace will bring with 1t
an increase Of revenue probably
double the amount Of the 1s43
collection. This factor should re-
suit in a more liberal attitude on
the part OF budget officials in max
ing funds available for necessary
repairs and changes"
First Vice President Frederic A.
Delano, who presided, told the So
ciety he was favorably impressed,
during recent visit to the Monu-
ment. by the amplifying device
which delivers brief recorded lee
lures to elevator passengers.
Grounds Fully Restored.
Mr.. Demaray reported that res
toration OF the monument grounds,
torn up last summer when Army
Treasury's Back the Attack" mill
tary fair was held there, has been
completed.
The Monument Society was or
ganized here in 1888 to raise funds
for the erection Of a monument to
Gen. Washington. Under its charter
the President Of the United States
Is ex-ofhcio president, and Govern
ors Of the States are ex-ondcio vice
presidents. There are 18 member,
including Chief Justice Stone and
Theodore w. Noyes, treasurer and
oldest living member. Chief Justice
John Marshall, then 78 years old,
was the first president OF the So
ciety.
Representative Sullivan, Demo-
crat, OF Nevada, delivering an
eulogy as the Irish War Veterans
placed a wreath on Washington S
Tomb yesterday, said the spirit of
Washington is not dead.
1T is the spirit Of independence.
of sacrifice, of discipline and order"
Mr.. Sullivan said. I'VE see 1t on
our fighting fronts, in our State
papers and in the hearts of our
citizens, and from Washington we
learn and remember that for each
OF us there is a part to play in
each changing drama Of democracy"
I Rcd MnrehnIe Deeorotad