TR 'GLORIFIED GYROSCOPE' MEMORIAL ROUSES SCORN OF GRANDSON KERMIT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000400260022-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 13, 2009
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: August 5, 1960
• Content Type: NSPR

r-- ioan
I TASfNGTON 1'Approved For Release 2009/02/13: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400260022-2
AND ,pq1 S HEW"-1"
STAT
I
ird Haven on Island Preferred
TR `Glorified Gyroscope' Memorial
Rouses Scorn of Grandson Kermit
By Robert L. Asher-,
Staff Reporter
TR's grandson took a look at
proposed plans for the contro-
.versial Theodore Roosevelt Is-
land Memorial yesterday and
decided the. island would be
better left alone.
"Any connection that thing
has with TR would be far-
fetched," hg said, shaking his
head.
Kermit Roosevelt was quick
to disagree with the Theodore
Toosevelt ;Centennial Commis-
sionn and,ether backers of the
'\Icmorial, who plan a huge
"melestial sphere" monument,
complete with automobile ap-
proach and a 200-car parking
lot.
Illk 'An unadorned bird sanc-
tuary is much more appropri- thing from a "glorified gyro-
ate," said Roosevelt. "Conser. scope" to "doughnuts in lim-
vation was one of TR's great bo," -should be replaced with
interests. I can't see any con- bird baths.
nection here. This looks like The monument, designed by
the end of that purpose." architect Eric Gugler and
Roosevelt, an ardent con- sculptor Paul Manship, is a
servationist, said any monu- larger model of one by the
ment erected on the island same sculptor in Meridian Hill
should have "at least some dis- Park.
cernible relation" to TR's love "I really don't see any need
for the outdoors. for another in our city," Roose-
The cost of bringing civil!- velt commented.
zation fo the naturalist's para- The bill for the monument
dise, estimat-d at nearly $900,- project, passed by the House,
000, brought a look of surprise is on the Senate's calendar for
and a two-word comment: action this month.
"Good Lord!" Probable results of building
Roosevelt feels the huge' a memorial mean destruction
sphere to be erected in honor 1, of the area as a haven for wild
of the for m e r President, life, said Roosevelt, adding,
which has been called every- "It's a darn shame."
Approved For Release 2009/02/13: CIA-RDP75-00001 R000400260022-2