DOCSLIB.ORG

The Metro Revolt

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Metro Revolt The D.C. Freeway Revolt and the Coming of Metro Part 8 The Metro Revolt Table of Contents Advancing Metro ............................................................................................................................ 2 The Volpe Plan ............................................................................................................................... 5 The I-66 Problem in Virginia ........................................................................................................ 11 The New Delegate ......................................................................................................................... 20 Metro Funds .................................................................................................................................. 23 Three Sisters Bridge Design ......................................................................................................... 25 Fighting for Metro ......................................................................................................................... 26 Chairman Natcher Makes His Point ............................................................................................. 31 On the Eve of Revolt ..................................................................................................................... 37 Day of the Revolt .......................................................................................................................... 40 After the Revolution ..................................................................................................................... 55 Trying to Move On ....................................................................................................................... 59 Trying to Break the Impasse ......................................................................................................... 63 Hearings on District Appropriations, 1972 ................................................................................... 67 The Ghost Bridge .......................................................................................................................... 72 On Appeal ..................................................................................................................................... 77 The I-66 Lawsuit ........................................................................................................................... 86 A Blockbuster Ruling ................................................................................................................... 93 Freeway and Metro Linkage Tightens......................................................................................... 106 Cutting the Gordian Knot ............................................................................................................ 115 The Revolt, Part 2 ....................................................................................................................... 120 After the Vote ............................................................................................................................. 138 Fighting For/Against Freeways ................................................................................................... 143 I-66 Hassles ................................................................................................................................. 151 The End of the Freeway Trauma? ............................................................................................... 154 Part 8 The Metro Revolt Advancing Metro On Saturday, January 2, Secretary Volpe sent a brief letter to General Graham regarding Metro’s financial prospects. Secretary Volpe wrote that he “noted with increasing concern the mounting jeopardy into which the long-range financial plan . appears recently to have fallen.” He asked General Graham, “Pursuant to my responsibilities in this area, I request that you take no further action on a new financial plan . until I have had an opportunity to review [it] . and possible alternatives” for finding the extra $510 million needed to finish Metro construction.” Councilmember Moore, chairman of the WMATA board, replied that he welcomed Secretary Volpe’s “review and help.” He called on WMATA staff to honor the request. General Graham confirmed that he would comply with Secretary Volpe’s request. Jack Eisen reported: An aide said Volpe’s intention is to expedite the building of the system. A Metro official said he is confident that Volpe would reject any suggestion that the length or quality of the system be reduced . It was not clear yesterday whether Volpe acted completely on his own initiative, or had been asked to get involved in the Metro problem. An aide said he understood that the Secretary’s assistance was solicited by “a number of community leaders” not otherwise identified. [Eisen, Jack, “Volpe to Review Metro Cost Crisis,” The Washington Post and Times Herald, January 5, 1971] On January 6, Maryland’s Board of Public Works agreed to release $10 million to help its two Washington area counties may their $15 million contribution to WMATA. However, release was dependent on receipt of current construction financing plans and clearance by State Attorney General Francis B. Burch that WMATA had satisfied all aspects of the mass transit bond statute the General Assembly had approved in 1970. The three board members – Governor Mandel, Comptroller Goldstein, and State Treasurer John Leutkemeyer – expressed concerns about the ultimate cost of Metro and the Federal Government’s commitment to the project. Governor Mandell, who suggested the cost could rise to $3.5 or $4 billion, wanted “factual figures and accurate figures . I mean honest figures.” Although Congress had authorized Federal funds for the present year, it was withholding the District share, prompting a concern that Congress might abandon the project and leave Maryland and Virginia to pay more for it. Goldstein asked, “Is there just going to be a big ditch dug and nothing else happens?” Gladys Noon Spellman was one of the chief advocates to address the board in support of the funding. She was serving on the Metro board and the Washington Suburban Transit Commission, which was the conduit for the two Maryland counties’ contributions to WMATA. Although she conceded the counties were concerned about the long-term Federal commitment, she argued that the counties should make their payments with confidence that the project will be built. She disclosed to the Public Works Board that in August 1969, as the District city council was deciding whether to advance the freeway system as a way of securing release of the Metro matching funds, she had warned council members that Prince George’s County, where she lived, might pull out of the planned system. If the city council did not comply with Section 23 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968, county officials would lose confidence in the plan and withdraw from it. [Eisen, Jack, “Md. Acts On Metro Funds,” The Washington Post and Times Herald, January 7, 1971; “Maryland Acts to Free Its Funds for Subway,” The Evening Star, January 7, 1971] On January 14, Carlton R. Sickles of Maryland became chairman of the WMATA board of directors, replacing District Councilman Moore in accordance with the annual rotation specified in the WMATA compact. Jay E. Richs of Arlington became first vice chairman while the Reverend Moore became second vice chairman. That same day, WMATA staff proposed new minority hiring rules. The plan would require firms with $500,000 or more in contracts to hire a specific number of minority employees in certain occupation classifications. The highest goal, 43 percent, would be for iron worker jobs by May 1974. Laborers, teamsters, roofers, cement masons, and brick layers would be excluded because local unions for those classifications consisted primarily of minority members. Carpenters, plasterers, and operating engineers also were excluded because they were “demonstrating affirmatively their intention of including minority group members within their ranks.” The staff plan also proposed a job training program for 220 minority members who, upon graduation, would be assured of jobs on the Metro construction project. Unions and the Federal government would fund the training program. [Kneece, Jack, “Minority Hiring Rules Offered For Subway,” The Evening Star, January 14, 1971; Eisen, Jack, “Metro Acts to Bar Bias,” The Washington Post and Times Herald, January 15, 1971] WMATA held a seminar at Airlie House in Warrington, Virginia, with about 160 officials from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to discuss the status of Metro. The key issue was how to pay for the 98-mile system. As WMATA Comptroller Lowe made clear, the Wall Street securities firms of Kuhn, Loeb and Company and Dillon, Read and Company had indicated that WMATA would not be able to market $900 million in revenue bonds without a guarantee from the Federal Government or some tax means of retiring the bonds if revenue from fares were insufficient. The bonds would have to carry a 7.5-percent interest rate, not 5 percent as originally planned. Officials discussed tax options, such as a payroll tax in the District or a regional tax, to be collected only if farebox revenues were insufficient. However, officials preferred other options, such as a regional gasoline tax or simply the Federal guarantee to make up the difference. Maryland and Virginia officials urged WMATA to pursue the Federal
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Barry Mackintosh Park History Program National Park Service
    GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PARKWAY ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY Barry Mackintosh Park History Program National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, DC 1996 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . 1 I. THE MOUNT VERNON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY • • • 7 II. THE CAPPER-CRAMTON ACT 21 III. EXPANDING THE PARKWAY, 1931-1952 • 33 IV. EXPANDING THE PARKWAY, 1952-1970 57 V. THE UNFINISHED PARKWAY. 87 VI. ARLINGTON HOUSE .•• . • 117 VII. THEODORE ROOSEVELT ISLAND . • 133 VIII. OTHER ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS • . • • . 147 Fort Hunt •.. • • . • • . • • . 147 Jones Point . • • . • • . • . • • . • • . • • • . 150 Dyke Marsh and Daingerfield Island . • • • . • • . • 153 Arlington Memorial Bridge, Memorial Drive, and Columbia Island • . • • • • • • . • • • • . • . • 164 The Nevius Tract • • . • . • • • • • • • . • • • . • • • 176 Merrywood and the Riverfront Above Chain Bridge • • • . 184 Fort Marcy . • • • • . • • • • . • • . • • • . 187 The Langley Tract and Turkey Run Farm • • • • . • • • 188 Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton National Historic site • 190 GWMP Loses Ground • • • . • • • • .. • . • • . • • • 197 INTRODUCTION The George Washington Memorial Parkway is among the most complex and unusual units of the national park system. The GWMP encompasses some 7,428 acres in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. For reasons that will later be explained, a small part of this acreage is not administered by its superintendent, and a greater amount of land formerly within GWMP now lies within another national park unit. Some of the GWMP acreage the superintendent administers is commonly known by other names, like Great Falls Park in Virginia and Glen Echo Park in Maryland. While most national park units may be characterized as predominantly natural, historical, or recreational, GWMP comprises such a diverse array of natural, historic, and recreational resources that it defies any such categorization. Further complicating matters, GWMP's superintendent also administers four other areas classed as discrete national park units-Arlington House, The Robert E.
    [Show full text]
  • Rueckel, Hansen Named Vice Presidents Hansen Appointed Women's Dea.N to Take Command Proposes Plan of Physical Plant
    Vol. LII, No. 11 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C. Thursday, November 20, 1969 Rueckel, Hansen Named Vice Presidents Hansen Appointed Women's Dea.n To Take Command Proposes Plan Of Physical Plant The Rev. Robert J. Henle, S.J., For Self-Study President of the University, has Dr. Patricia Rueckel, appointed announced the appointment of vice president for student develop­ Chris A. Hansen as vice president ment, has announced an "institu­ for planning and physical plant, ef­ tional self-study" in the area of fective March 1, 1970. student development at George­ Hansen will succeed the Rev. T. town. The study will be conducted Byron Collins, S.J., who tendered during the second semester of this his resignation last spring with the academic year. condition that it not become effec­ Dr. Rueckel also discussed the tive until he had completed his possibility of a "reemployment of work on Public Law 90-457, which manpower" within the student de­ deals with federal aid to private velopment office in an effort "to be hospitals. more helpful to the students and In recent months, Edward Liber­ to Fr. Henle." atore has been handling physical plant administration while Fr. Col­ See page 11 for background lins has devoted himself to plan­ of Dr. Rueckel ning operations. That arrange­ A proposal for "differential ment will continue until Hansen room rates" for residents of re­ arrives in March. spective dormitories was also ad­ The next vice president comes vanced by Dr. Rueckel. to Georgetown from the federal She noted that all institutional government's Environmental Con­ Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Suburbanization Historic Context and Survey Methodology
    INTRODUCTION The geographical area for this project is Maryland’s 42-mile section of the I-95/I- 495 Capital Beltway. The historic context was developed for applicability in the broad area encompassed within the Beltway. The survey of historic resources was applied to a more limited corridor along I-495, where resources abutting the Beltway ranged from neighborhoods of simple Cape Cods to large-scale Colonial Revival neighborhoods. The process of preparing this Suburbanization Context consisted of: • conducting an initial reconnaissance survey to establish the extant resources in the project area; • developing a history of suburbanization, including a study of community design in the suburbs and building patterns within them; • defining and delineating anticipated suburban property types; • developing a framework for evaluating their significance; • proposing a survey methodology tailored to these property types; • and conducting a survey and National Register evaluation of resources within the limited corridor along I-495. The historic context was planned and executed according to the following goals: • to briefly cover the trends which influenced suburbanization throughout the United States and to illustrate examples which highlight the trends; • to present more detail in statewide trends, which focused on Baltimore as the primary area of earliest and typical suburban growth within the state; • and, to focus at a more detailed level on the local suburbanization development trends in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, particularly the Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George’s. Although related to transportation routes such as railroad lines, trolley lines, and highways and freeways, the location and layout of Washington’s suburbs were influenced by the special nature of the Capital city and its dependence on a growing bureaucracy and not the typical urban industrial base.
    [Show full text]
  • Congress - New Members” of the Robert T
    The original documents are located in Box 10, folder “Congress - New Members” of the Robert T. Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to these materials. Digitized from Box 10 of the Robert T. Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library .., SENATE I RepuL~ans · Garn, E. J. Utah Laxalt, Paul Nevada Democrats Bumpers, Dale Arkansas Culver, John C. Iowa Ford, Wendell Kentucky Glenn, John H. Ohio Hart, Gary W. Colorado Leahy, Patrick J. Vermont Morgan, Robert B. North Carolina Stone, Richard Florida The New Hampshire race has not been decided. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (REPUBLICANS) David F. Emery Maine Millicent Fenwick New Jersey William F. Goodling Pennsylvania Bill Gradison Ohio Charles E. Grassley Iowa Tom Hagedorn Minnesota George V. Hansen Idaho . Henry J. Hyde Illinois James M.
    [Show full text]
  • The Unveiling of a Statue to the Memory of Alexander R. Shepherd
    F ins? THE SHEPHERD MEMORIAL The Unveiling of a Statue to the jHemorp of ^Ilexanber & ^ijepijerb in front of the District Building Washington, D. C. May 3, 1 909 Edited by WILLIAM VAN ZANDT COX for, the ^>ijcpfjerb jHemortal Committee -ioA.fttPuJIrkJU. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Order of Exercises 4 Introduction 7 Invocation by Rev. Dr. Wallace Radcliffe 11 Address by Chairman Theodore W. Noyes 13 Address by Mr. William F. Mattingly 23 Presentation of Statue by Mr. Brainard H. Warner 37 Acceptance by Commissioner Macfarland 39 Benediction by Right Rev. Alfred Harding 44 Shepherd Memorial Committee 45 Contributors to the Shepherd Memorial Fund 47 Financial Statement 51 ORDER OF EXERCISES Assembly Trumpeter, United States Marine Band Music— "America" United States Marine Band Invocation Rev. Wallace Radcliffe, D. D., LL. D. A Tribute—"Shepherd and the New Washington" Theodore W. Noyes Chairman Shepherd Memorial Committee, Presiding Music— "Some Day" — Wellings United States Marine Band Obligato by Arthur S. Whitcomb Address— "Shepherd and His Times" William F. Mattingly Unveiling of Statue By Alexander Robey Shepherd, 3d Salute First Battery Field Artillery, District of Columbia Militia Music— "The Star-Spangled Banner" United States Marine Band Presentation of Statue to the District of Columbia Brainard H. Warner Chairman Shepherd Memorial Finance Committee Acceptance of Statue Henry B. F. Macfarland President Board of Commissioners, District of Columbia Presentation of the Sculptor, U. S. J. Dunbar Music— March, "Gate City"— Weldon United States Marine Band Benediction Right Rev. Alfred Harding, Bishop of Washington Music under the direction of Lieut. W. H. Santelmann ALEXANDER R SHEPHERD aiexanber &.
    [Show full text]
  • 19-04-HR Haldeman Political File
    Richard Nixon Presidential Library Contested Materials Collection Folder List Box Number Folder Number Document Date No Date Subject Document Type Document Description 19 4 Campaign Other Document From: Harry S. Dent RE: Profiles on each state regarding the primary results for elections. 71 pgs. Monday, March 21, 2011 Page 1 of 1 - Democratic Primary - May 5 111E Y~'ilIIE HUUSE GOP Convention - July 17 Primary Results -- --~ -~ ------- NAME party anncd fiJ cd bi.lc!<ground GOVERNORIS RACE George Wallace D 2/26 x beat inc Albert Brewer in runoff ­ former Gov.; 68 PRES cando A. C. Shelton IND 6/6 former St. Sen. Dr. Peter Ca:;;hin NDPA endorsed by the Negro Democratic party in Aiabama NO SENATE RACE CONGRESSIONAL 1st - Jack Edwards INC R x x B. H. Mathis D x x 2nd - B ill Dickenson INC R x x A Ibert Winfield D x x 3rd -G eorge Andrews INC D x x 4th - Bi11 Nichols INC D x x . G len Andrews R 5th -W alter Flowers INC D x x 6th - John Buchanan INC R x x Jack Schmarkey D x x defeated T ito Howard in primary 7th - To m Bevill INC D x x defeated M rs. Frank Stewart in prim 8th - Bob Jones INC D x x ALASKA Filing Date - June 1 Primary - August 25 Primary Re sults NAME party anned filed bacl,ground GOVERNOR1S RACE Keith Miller INC R 4/22 appt to fill Hickel term William Egan D former . Governor SENATE RACE Theodore Stevens INC R 3/21 appt to fill Bartlett term St.
    [Show full text]
  • What's in a Name
    What’s In A Name: Profiles of the Trailblazers History and Heritage of District of Columbia Public and Public Charter Schools Funds for the DC Community Heritage Project are provided by a partnership of the Humanities Council of Washington, DC and the DC Historic Preservation Office, which supports people who want to tell stories of their neighborhoods and communities by providing information, training, and financial resources. This DC Community Heritage Project has been also funded in part by the US Department of the Interior, the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund grant funds, administered by the DC Historic Preservation Office and by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. This program has received Federal financial assistance for the identification, protection, and/or rehabilitation of historic properties and cultural resources in the District of Columbia. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability in its federally assisted programs. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240.‖ In brochures, fliers, and announcements, the Humanities Council of Washington, DC shall be further identified as an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. 1 INTRODUCTION The ―What’s In A Name‖ project is an effort by the Women of the Dove Foundation to promote deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich history and heritage of our nation’s capital by developing a reference tool that profiles District of Columbia schools and the persons for whom they are named.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 106 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 106 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 146 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2000 No. 28 Senate The Senate was not in session today. Its next meeting will be held on Monday, March 20, 2000, at 12 noon. House of Representatives TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2000 The House met at 12:30 p.m. The Iowa State Men at the beginning package of a minimum wage increase f of the season some people even rated and tax reductions. them as being at the bottom of the Big The resistance on the part of the Re- MORNING HOUR DEBATES 12 this year. In fact, they came through publican leadership to a fairly small The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the with an outstanding phenomenon per- minimum wage increase in the midst of order of the House of January 19, 1999, formance and not only won, as I said the greatest prosperity we have ever the Chair will now recognize Members before, the regular season but won the known speaks a great deal to a social from lists submitted by the majority tournament; and I want to congratu- insensitivity, but equally distressing to and minority leaders for morning hour late Marcus Fizer as the Most Valuable me is their decision that we should debates. The Chair will alternate rec- Player. begin to reduce one of the most pro- ognition between the parties, with each This is a great thing that is hap- gressive taxes in America. And, of party limited to not to exceed 30 min- pening in Iowa.
    [Show full text]
  • THE WORLD of LAFAYETTE SQUARE Sites Around the Square
    THE WORLD OF LAFAYETTE SQUARE Lafayette Square is a seven-acre public park located directly north of the White House on H Street between 15th and 17th Streets, NW. The Square and the surrounding structures were designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1970. Originally planned as part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion, the area was called "President's Park". The Square was separated from the White House grounds in 1804 when President Jefferson had Pennsylvania cut through. In 1824, the Square was officially named in honor of General Lafayette of France. A barren common, it was neglected for many years. A race course was laid out along its west side in 1797, and workmen's quarters were thrown up on it during the construction of the White House in the 1790s. A market occupied the site later and, during the War of 1812, soldiers were encamped there. Lafayette Park has been used as a zoo, a slave market, and for many political protests and celebrations. The surrounding neighborhood became the city's most fashionable 19th century residential address. Andrew Jackson Downing landscaped Lafayette Square in 1851 in the picturesque style. (www.nps.gov) Historian and novelist Henry Adams on Washington, D.C. 1868: “La Fayette Square was society . one found all one’s acquaintances as well as hotels, banks, markets, and national government. Beyond the Square the country began. No rich or fashionable stranger had yet discovered the town. No literary of scientific man, no artist, no gentleman without office or employment has ever lived there.
    [Show full text]
  • NPRC) VIP List, 2009
    Description of document: National Archives National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) VIP list, 2009 Requested date: December 2007 Released date: March 2008 Posted date: 04-January-2010 Source of document: National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 Note: NPRC staff has compiled a list of prominent persons whose military records files they hold. They call this their VIP Listing. You can ask for a copy of any of these files simply by submitting a Freedom of Information Act request to the address above. The governmentattic.org web site (“the site”) is noncommercial and free to the public. The site and materials made available on the site, such as this file, are for reference only. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals have made every effort to make this information as complete and as accurate as possible, however, there may be mistakes and omissions, both typographical and in content. The governmentattic.org web site and its principals shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information provided on the governmentattic.org web site or in this file. The public records published on the site were obtained from government agencies using proper legal channels. Each document is identified as to the source. Any concerns about the contents of the site should be directed to the agency originating the document in question. GovernmentAttic.org is not responsible for the contents of documents published on the website.
    [Show full text]
  • AOI, 2001 – Present……………………………………….31
    THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, D.C. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FINDING AID MS 422 The Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of The District of Columbia Records, 1865-Present (Rev. October 9, 2017) Table of Contents Organizational Sketch……………………………………………………………………..3 Scope and Content………………………………………………………………………...4 Series Descriptions……………………………………………………………………...…4 Container list: Series I: Histories………………………………………………………………………….8 Series II: Biographies………………………………………………………………….…..8 Series III: Obituaries………………………………………………………………………9 Series IV: Correspondence……………………………………………………...………...9 Series V: Membership Records………………………………………………………….11 Series VI: Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws………………………….13 Series VII: Meeting Notices and Newsletters……………………………………………13 Series VIII: Meeting Minutes…………………………………………………………....14 Series IX: Financial Records…………………………………………………………….17 Series X: Chronicler’s Reports, 1912-1933……………………………………………...18 Series XI: Speeches………………………………………………………………………19 Series XII: Programs……………………………………………………………………..21 Series XIII: Newspaper Clippings…………………………………………………….…22 Series XIV: Photographs…………………………………………………………………22 Series XV: Scrapbooks and Guest Books………………………………………………..26 Series XVI: Veteran Volunteer Firemen’s Association………………………………….27 Oversize Materials……………………………………………………………………….29 Series XVII: Records of the AOI, 2001 – Present……………………………………….31 Series XVIII: Audio Visual Materials, 2001 – Present…..………………………………32 Title: MS 422 The Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia
    [Show full text]
  • How the United States Used War Memorials and Soldier Poetry to Commemorate the Great War
    Memories in stone and ink: How the United States used war memorials and soldier poetry to Commemorate the Great War by Jennifer Madeline Zoebelein B.A., Mary Washington College, 2004 M.A., The University of Charleston and The Military College of South Carolina, 2008 AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of History College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2018 Abstract War occupies an important place in the collective memory of the United States, with many of its defining moments centered on times of intense trauma. American memory of World War I, however, pales in comparison to the Civil War and World War II, which has led to the conflict’s categorization as a “forgotten” war—terminology that ignores the widespread commemorative efforts undertaken by Americans in the war’s aftermath. In fact, the interwar period witnessed a multitude of memorialization projects, ranging from architectural memorials to literature. It is this dichotomy between contemporary understanding and the reality of the conflict’s aftermath that is at the heart of this study, which seeks to illuminate the prominent position held by the First World War in early twentieth century American society. The dissertation examines three war memorials: the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri; the District of Columbia World War Memorial in West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C.; and Kansas State University’s Memorial Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. The work also analyzes seven volumes of soldier poetry, published between 1916 and 1921: Poems, by Alan Seeger; With the Armies of France, by William Cary Sanger, Jr.; Echoes of France: Verses from my Journal and Letters, March 14, 1918 to July 14, 1919 and Afterwards, by Amy Robbins Ware; The Tempering, by Howard Swazey Buck; Wampum and Old Gold, by Hervey Allen; The Log of the Devil Dog and Other Verses, by Byron H.
    [Show full text]