Ohio History Journal

THE WORLD WAR MEMORIAL

 

Soon after the close of the World War it was real-

ized that the growth of the Museum and the Library

of the Society had reached the limits of available space

and that additional room would be needed, not only for

the exhibits that were coming in larger measure from

the archaeological field of work, but for newspaper files

and for the trophies, documents, pamphlets, books, pa-

pers and manuscripts relating to the World War. In

the years 1919 and 1920, the need of the Society was

discussed by the Board of Trustees, and in the autumn

of the latter year, they were encouraged to believe that

an additional wing to the building might be erected.

This encouragement had its origin in the transfer of a

substantial sum of money, which had been earned from

the exhibition of World War films and placed in the

hands of Governor James M. Cox, for a specific use that

was clearly set forth in his address at the meeting of the

Society, December 15, 1920. In order that the origin

of this fund may be clearly understood, the following

excerpt from the speech of Governor Cox is here

quoted:

When General Glenn went over seas, he advised me that

he had the fund in his possession, and he was very much in the

position of the man having hold of the cow's tail--he didn't quite

know how to let go of it--he wanted to place it in charge of

some state authority. I told him there would be a great impro-

priety in permitting it to pass into the general revenue fund of the

state; that it ought to have a great historic value and application,

and I agreed that if the whole enterprise from its outset were

(524)

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The World War Memorial               525 audited by acknowledged experts, I would become the custodian of the fund. After it was given to me, the money was turned over to the State Treasurer, and placed on interest. We dis-

bursed a few thousand dollars in order to get under way the vo- cational training of soldiers. This left a sum aggregating $47,- 424.69. Governor Campbell in some way discovered that we had the money, and in his enthusiasm in behalf of this organization,

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526      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications so well known to you that there is no need of mention of it by me, he requested the money and persisted in it until the hour came when I realized that there was no peace of mind until I gave it

to him. Then the task was to ascertain just how the transfer might be made and the fund administered so that there would be no trespassing upon propriety, and we finally agreed that the money would be used and the donation made upon the definite

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The World War Memorial            527

specification that it would be employed in building, in whole or

in part, an addition to this structure, into which would pass, ex-

clusively, collections and data, historical and otherwise, bearing

upon the Great War.

Now I conclude my responsibility, and very happily, by pre-

senting the check to this organization.

Encouraged by this conditional gift, the Trustees

commenced at once to devise ways and means for the

erection of a wing to the original building, facing Fif-

teenth Avenue and extending westward. A request was

made in the budget for an appropriation of $140,000.00

to add to the sum transferred by General Glenn to Gov-

ernor Cox and through him conditionally transferred

to the Society.

In appealing to the Legislature for aid, a pamphlet

was prepared showing what other progressive states had

done in providing buildings for their historical socie-

ties. This pamphlet contained neatly printed cuts of

buildings erected by Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and

New Hampshire, at costs ranging from $1,500,000 to

$500,000. These pamphlets went into the hands of all

members of the General Assembly and an accompany-

ing letter was sent to each member of the Finance

Committees of the House and Senate. The claims of

Ohio were ably presented by Governor James E. Camp-

bell, President of the Society, and other members of

the Board of Trustees. The General Assembly, how-

ever, failed to make any appropriations for additions

to the original building.

The Secretary drew attention briefly to this failure

in his report to the Society October 12, 1921. At the

annual meeting September 9, 1922, he dwelt more fully

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528      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications upon this subject. After drawing attention to the field that the Society was expected to occupy, he said: Of course the carrying out of such a program for the library and a larger one for the other departments of this Society, con-

templates the completion, at the earliest possible date, of the ad- ditions to this building which were outlined when it was erected. The General Assembly through its finance committee announced early in its regular session that practically no money would be ap- propriated by the State for building purposes. This Society, of

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The World War Memorial                529

course, could not consistently urge that an exception be made

to take care of its needs. However, before the conclusion of that

session, the General Assembly adopted the biggest building pro-

gram for the educational and benevolent institutions in the his-

tory of Ohio. For the educational institutions, I should say,

except the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society.

Much was done for the others, nothing for us. This state-

ment is not made by way of complaint, but as a stimulus to added

effort before the coming General Assembly. We were told be-

fore to wait, that our turn would be next. It is our turn now

and it behooves every officer and every member of this Society

to help the Legislature to see our need.

At this same annual meeting in 1922, a report of the

World War Memorial Building Committee was made

by the chairman, Colonel Edward Orton, Jr. It pre-

sents so well the initial steps taken toward the erection

of the Memorial wing that no apology is made for ex-

tended quotation. Colonel Orton reported in part as

follows:

GENTLEMEN: By resolution adopted October 18, 1921, it was

provided that the Society should take immediate steps with funds

now in their possession to begin the erection of a World War

Memorial Annex to the Society's Building, in memory of the

Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of Ohio who served in the World

War; the object and purpose of the building shall be for the pres-

ervation of all records, maps, muster rolls, newspapers, relics

and all military records connected with the World War, and also

all papers and historical matter pertaining to the work of the

nurses' organizations and civilian war work of the citizens of

the State growing out of the World War.

President Campbell appointed the following persons members

of this committee, and their appointment was reported to the

meeting of the Board of Trustees on December 30, 1921, viz.:

Colonel Edward Orton, Jr., Columbus, Ohio, Chairman.

Colonel W. C. Hayes, Fremont, Ohio.

General S. B. Stansbury, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Colonel H. M. Bush, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Gordon Battelle, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. John G. Deshler, Columbus, Ohio.

Captain W. I. Vorys, Columbus, Ohio.

Vol. XXXV --34.

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530       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

Captain E. R. Magruder, Columbus, Ohio.

Major Nelson Talbot, Dayton, Ohio.

Lieutenant-Colonel George C. Schaefer, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Ben J. Throop, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. George F. Bareis, Canal Winchester, Ohio.

General George Florence, Circleville, Ohio.

General C. B. Baker, Columbus, Ohio.

Lieutenant-Colonel Frank A. Hunter, Columbus, Ohio.

Major Walter Jeffrey, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Beman G. Dawes, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Vernon M. Riegel, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Frank Packard, Columbus, Ohio.

Colonel Simeon Nash, Columbus, Ohio.

Governor James E. Campbell,

Director W. C. Mills,          Ex-officio.

Secretary C. B. Galbreath.

This committee met and organized January 12, 1922, with fif-

teen members present. Colonel Nash was made Secretary of

the Committee.

Inasmuch as there had been a tacit understanding from the

beginning that for reasons of convenience of administration, in-

volving of upkeep and economy of construction, the World War

Memorial should be a wing added to the present headquarters

building of the Society, rather than a separate structure, it was

deemed proper and advisable to consult the same architect who

had designed the original building.

Also, in view of the fact that this building was on the Uni-

versity Campus, and heated, lighted, etc., from the University

plant and that it really constituted a part of the University group

of buildings and should therefore be designed with due regard to

the places for the development of the University buildings on the

Campus, it seemed proper to consult the University architect. It

happening that Professor J. N. Bradford filled both qualifications,

his selection as architect was formally made and approved.

The original plan for the development of the Archaeological

and Historical Society Building, around a hollow square was pro-

duced and discussed.

An executive committee of five was then authorized to take

up actively the preparation of plans and drawings, for work not

to cost in excess of the amount available, with instructions to re-

port back from time to time.

The Chairman appointed W. C. Mills, C. B. Galbreath, Frank

L. Packard, H. M. Bush, F. A. Hunter and himself and the sec-

retary, Colonel Nash, ex-officio.

This committee met first on January 16, 1922, and after care-

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GENERAL EDWARD ORTON, JR. Who was chairman of the Buildiing Committee of the World War Memorial Wing, and who has been in recent years, Very active in advancing the interests of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society of which he is 2nd vice-president. (531)

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532       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

 

ful study made a fundamental change in the original plans made

in 1914, for extension by excluding a central Library building

from the central court. They decided the new building should

constitute the north wing of the developed Archaeological and

Historical Building and determined approximately upon its di-

mensions.

It also agreed that the memorial features of the new building

should be worked out for the north steps and entrance to the

building. Subsequent meetings were held February 2 and March

16, in which the floor plans and details of the building were

agreed to, the outside dimensions to be approximately 132 feet by

50 feet. A central room, opposite the front steps, and entrance,

with approximate dimensions of 32 by 50 feet was agreed upon

to be developed as a Memorial Room. Rooms on either side

would be reserved for exhibits, but the center room, opening in

from a formal entrance, would be in itself a Memorial rather than

for the exhibition of other things.

Mr. Bruce W. Saville, sculptor, with studio on the

Ohio State University grounds, at the inception of the

consideration of the artistic features of the building,

volunteered his assistance with the distinct understand-

ing that he was to receive no pay for such assistance. It

was tacitly understood, however, that when money be-

came available for the bronze work he was to be given

consideration with others who might wish to enter into

contract for these features.

On May 8, 1922, the Board of Trustees ratified the

plans of the Memorial Building Committee and noted

that "studies for the proposed sculpture features of the

front of the new building" had been submitted by Mr.

Saville, but stated that the committee had not as yet

passed upon these.

In the meantime the Memorial Building Committee

had been increased by the appointment of the following

Sub--Committee to pass judgment on the artistic fea-

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534       Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

tures of the building, "more especially the bronze tab-

lets and statuary":

Mr. William M. Hekking, Director, Columbus Gallery of

Fine Arts.

Mr. Francis R. Huntington, President Board of Trustees, Co-

lumbus Gallery of Fine Arts.

Mr. F. W. Schumacher, ex-President, Columbus Gallery of

Fine Arts.

Mr. John E. McCrehen, Member Columbus Planning Com-

mission.

Miss Neva J. Collins, President City Beautification Society.

Mr. Thomas Ewing French, Professor of Engineering Draw-

ing, Ohio State University, and President Book Plate Club of

America.

Mr. George H. Bulford, Architect, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. John E. Hussey, Assistant, Department Landscape Archi-

tecture, Ohio State University, former Director Columbus Art

School.

Bids for the partial construction of the building with-

in the limits of the available funds already at the dis-

posal of the Society were received and opened on Sep-

tember 9, 1922. The contract was awarded to D. W.

McGrath & Sons one week later for $51,000. This con-

tract carried the unfinished walls up to and including the

second floor. General Orton, the chairman of the Com-

mittee, thus described the beginning of the work:

On September 18, 1922, the first spadeful of earth for the

New Memorial Building was turned by our honored President,

James E. Campbell, whose honorable record in the Navy during

the war of the Rebellion, made his service in this capacity doubly

appropriate. Brigadier General Chauncey B. Baker, U. S. A.,

retired, representing the American Legion, turned the second

spadeful and other members of the Committee then followed.

Promptly after the work of construction began, the

Sub-Committee appointed for that purpose resumed

consideration of the artistic memorial feature. Meet-

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(535)

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536     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

ings were held with the sculptor, Mr. Saville, and the

conclusion was finally reached that the central room on

the first floor of the building should be so treated as to

make it the outstanding memorial feature. On request

of the Sub-Committee, the sculptor made a small model

of the proposed room with four bronze panels repre-

senting (1) The Draft, (2) The Training, (3) The

Combat, (4) The Victory, as especially characteristic of

the World War. The model was tentatively approved

by the Building Committee as was also the proposal to

raise the ceiling of the central room three feet. The

initial contract was completed early in April, 1923.

In the meantime, the Board of Trustees and the

Memorial Building Committee had effectively appealed

to the Finance Committee of the General Assembly. A

budget request for $400,000 had been made for the com-

pletion of the north wing and the building of a west

wing, omitting for the time being the memorial fea-

tures and leaving them to a future General Assembly.

After considerable discussion it was agreed that the

request should be made for an appropriation sufficient

to complete only the north wing, including the memorial

features. The amount needed, according to the archi-

tect's estimate, was $238,000.

Request for this amount was ably presented to both

houses of the General Assembly by Generals Edward

Orton, Jr., Harold M. Bush, Chauncey B. Baker, and

George Florence. The House granted $200,000 and the

Senate increased this to the amount requested, $238,000,

which finally became available for the erection of the

Memorial Wing. For this happy result chief credit is

due to the Late Governor James E. Campbell, then Pres-

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(537)

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538      Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

ident of the Society, and General Edward Orton, Jr.,

chairman of the Building Committee. Other officers of

the Society and members of the Committee worked har-

moniously for the accomplishment of this result. The

favorable attitude of Honorable Harry D. Silver, chair-

man of the Finance Committee of the House, and Hon-

orable J. F. Atwood, chairman of the Finance Commit-

tee of the Senate, and other influential members of the

General Assembly should not be forgotten. Without

this, the efforts of the Society would have resulted in

failure. The vigorous presentation of the claims of the

Society before the previous General Assembly was not

altogether in vain. It helped to prepare the way for

the achievement of 1923.

On May 14, 1923, a meeting of the Memorial Build-

ing Committee was held, at which some important con-

clusions were reached. Among these was the decision

that the room at the north end of the new wing should

be built without pillars. General Baker made the fol-

lowing motion which was adopted:

That the architect be authorized to prepare plans for the con-

struction of the northwest corner room on the first floor in such

fashion that it may be practicable to use this room as an audi-

torium, and that the room be relieved from the use of pillars.

The estimate of the architect for the completion of

the Memorial Wing included an item of $50,000 for

bronze memorial features. The architect's plans were

approved by the various state officials and advertise-

ments were published for bids. These were received and

opened September 29, 1923, when it was found that the

lowest bid far exceeded the appropriation made by the

General Assembly. All bids were therefore rejected and

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(539)

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540     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

advertisement was again published for bids on the same

plans and specifications. These were received and

opened December 4, 1923, when the combined bids came

easily within the $238,000 appropriated. Later, the con-

tract for the bronze tablets and "The Victorious Sol-

dier", to be placed at the north entrance to the building,

was awarded to Bruce W. Saville, for the sum of $50,--

000. This contract with the sculptor called for the com-

pletion of all of his work by January 1, 1926.

In working out the designs for the four bronze tab-

lets some changes had been made by the sculptor with

the approval of the Sub-Committee on artistic features

and the Memorial Building Committee. The titles of

the tablets in order as finally approved were: "The

Draft", "The Training", "The Voyage", and "The Ad-

vance". In the dedicatory exercises will be found the

legends following each title.

In the various stages of the erection of the Memorial

Building there were unexpected delays, but this occa-

sioned no serious interruption of the work of the So-

ciety. No money had been appropriated in 1923 for the

equipment of the Memorial Wing. The General Assem-

bly at its regular session in 1925 provided materials for

the making of cases for the various exhibits. Delays

were experienced in the transfer of the World War

trophies that had been shipped from Washington and

all these had to be cleaned, labeled and put in shape for

exhibition. While, therefore, the progress of the work

of the Building Committee seemed slow, it was at all

stages in advance of the preparation of exhibits, not

only of the World War trophies but of other interesting

objects that had long been stored in the basement of the

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542     Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications

original building awaiting room for their proper dis-

play.

The date for the dedication of the building was finally

definitely fixed for April 6, 1926, the anniversary of

the formal entrance of the United States into the World

War. An extended account of the dedicatory exercises

has already been given. As completed, the World War

Memorial Wing has been the subject of much favorable

comment. The architecture is dignified and attractive.

The heroic figure of "The Victorious Soldier" at the

north entrance announces to the passerby the purpose of

the building.

A more complete and detailed account of the incep-

tion and progress of this structure is to be found in

the reports of the Memorial Building Committee pre-

sented at the annual meetings of the Society, 1921-1925,

by the Chairman, General Edward Orton, Jr., who gave

without stint his time and personal attention to every

detail of the work and to whom the Society and the

State are under lasting obligations for successful leader-

ship in the creation of this monumental memorial.

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